Model T Park annual progress

Every year we hike up to see how the Model T touring car is doing--at least once. We also get to see the vegetation recovery process after the 2002 rip-roaring fire that changed our views to the south of South Fork. 

 

Summary report for 2014: 

Aspen are getting a little bigger and more dense;

Conifer regeneration is almost nil, but trees that escaped flames are producing cones = possibility of spotty return;

Flowers are more abundant and varied;

Ground cover in general is continuous;

The trail is pretty good, despite a few ATV incursions;

Dead trees dominate the general scene;

The bull elk are big and (were) apparently healthy.

We aren't sure how the courteous Oregon bow-hunter got his big 1-shot

animal out, but our brief help for him was an impressive experience.

 

--Doug Knudson

 

For Next Tuesday, I'm pondering options:

1.  a long drive to the Dunes and a 3-mile hike up Mosca Pass and back.

   or 2. a shorter (up to 3.5 mile round-trip) closer to South Fork.

 

You may weigh in with your preference at   douglasfir636@gmail.com

 

 

We were but 6 on a 7-mile round trip.  Adios to Patrick for this season; thanks for joining us.

 

Some pretty colors are appearing along the trail

 

15' aspen near the Model T Park

 

Still standing--almost

 

Upper Model T Park and the ridge of Beaver Mountain

 

Tall spruce snags, rising aspen sprouts.

 

DSC08991

 

We met a "local Oregonian" as we went up, right after he shot a large bull elk.  We helped him tie up the carcass as we came back down.  This was a major undertaking that probably kept him busy for 2 days.