Escudilla fire: RANT (beware!)

[azbackpackr]

To the people who wrote in the trailhead register at Escudilla today, "the first part of the hike is still beautiful, but the upper part is a tragedy" maybe you should take a science class. Read a book about fire ecology sometime. Read something, anyway. Stop watching Disney movies. Get some reality. Learn something.

Couldn't you SEE the new aspens coming up? The fire was
NOT a TRAGEDY!

Where were you when even the stupid people who read the news on TV figured out that scientists and the forest service have found that fire is necessary and good? Watching "Bambi"? Couldn't you see under the burnt trees all the ferns and aspens and grasses and flowers coming up? These provide a lot more food for animals than the doghair thickets of conifers that existed before. Yes, even Bambi will eat better now.

I don't think any trailhead comment has ever angered me more.

[big_load]

I would encourage folks to hike in burned areas so they can experience the devastation on a visceral level that can't be achieved from watching television or seeing a picture.

Some of my favorite hiking clothes have semi-permanent reminders of their brushes with charcoal.

[PatrickL]

I'll just post this here...
Anyone know what kind of condition Government Trail is in? FS website says it might be hard to follow in some spots, but I'm wondering how long/difficult these spots actually are.

[azbackpackr]

I am pretty sure it is going to be very hard to follow. However, go on out there and prove me wrong, I'd be happy to hear about it. I don't want to bother with it myself. I dislike climbing over hundreds of fallen trees.

[PatrickL]

I didn't even think about downed trees. I would give it a shot, but by the time I give up, it might be too late in the day to do Escudilla Trail if storms are brewin'.
A triplog and photoset are in order if I give it a go!

[azbackpackr]

When are you going? I was going to hike it today, but did Flat Top instead to save time. I might do it tomorrow, but really I would prefer to just do the regular trail, not plow up on Gov't. However, since Escudilla is a 45-min drive for me, I may choose a closer peak, such as Antelope Mountain, which I can get to in 15 minutes. Or South Fork to Mexican Hay Lake (fire damage may slow that one down, too, on the steep parts.)

[PatrickL]

Aiming for Tuesday, the 14th. I like the extra elevation gain on Government, but if it's too much of a pain, I'll just head up the other trail. You can't really get the workout if you're moving too slow!

[azbackpackr]

Oh, well. I do have to work 5 days a week, so Tuesday is out.

By the way it is VERY soggy up here, so unless we get a dry spell, you'll want to start your hike at first light.

[PatrickL]

Most definitely. With monsoon up and about, I plan to be off the mountain and on the way home before noon. I would start even earlier, but missing scenery in a place I've never been is a no-no.

[azbackpackr]

Check this out, look at left column, click on pg. 23. (Yours truly...)
http://www.zwire.com/site/dav.cfm?brd=2 ... ssid=20268

[Al_HikesAZ]

Check this out, look at left column, click on pg. 23. (Yours truly...)
http://www.zwire.com/site/dav.cfm?brd=2 ... ssid=20268

You are referencing the entire paper - but I scanned down and found your article on Escudilla

[big_load]

I guess the White Mountains are back on my list. Maybe next year.

[azbackpackr]

Why would they have gone off your list, pray tell? The whole place did not burn, after all. Just some areas.

I personally still enjoy the grasslands areas. More archaeological sites. Fewer people. Better views. When they burn, they grow back in less than a year, also!

[chulavista]

Nice article, Liz!

Kate

[azbackpackr]

Thanks!