Jemez Mountains, May 15, 2015

I decided early this week to go out for another hike, this time up in the mountains.  A few weeks ago we passed through this area on the way to the Rio Cebolla (May 6, 2015 posting).  I saw several locations with groups of aspen just waiting to put on their spring green and thought that waiting a couple weeks would put them in full green.

Heavy clouds and rain are promised throughout the day.  I am willing to dodge the raindrops if and when they decide to come.

I took the turnoff to the Gilman Tunnels then followed FR 376 until something caught my eye.  The Rio Guadalupe is flowing fast and muddy.  My fishing partners would not be stopping if they were with me. 

Further up river I took the turnoff following the quiet and clear Rio Cebolla.  There are a few people already staking out the prime camping spots for the weekend.  Cattle are also grazing the valley.  As I make my way up the road I see several large pickups pulling horse trailers; ranchers herding their cattle.

Apsen are the first trees to populate areas ravaged by fire.  Once started, aspens grow in clonal colonies spreading by way of root suckers.  Thriving in full sunshine they flourish in the land swept clean of the tall shade producing forests.  One can see evidence of this by large swatches of yellow aspen leaves across the Rocky Mountains.  I’ll wait for the fall color, now I am looking for the bright spring green.

I can see several colonies of aspen on the sides of the mesas glowing bright green in the occasional sunshine but the aspens in the bottom of the valley have yet to bud.  I am here to hike so…

As I ascend the steep sides of the valley I have to scramble over the dead and burnt out hulks of the old forest before reaching the new aspen grove.  The area is alive with song birds flitting back and forth in full song mode.  Among the aspen are a few skeletons of still standing charred trees.  I also see sporadic patches of grasses and ivy, not the poison kind.

As I move from one area of the valley to another I notice ponderosa pines are the only remaining living trees that were here prior to the fire.  Looking closely you notice the thickness of the bark explaining why they are still green and growing when only new shrubs and aspen are moving in.

I climbed to a small opening in the forest to get a panoramic view of the valley.  I can see where new growth is prevalent right next to areas of old established forest.  I searched the web to see when a fire went through this area but I was not able to pinpoint any particular time.  Portions of the Jemez Mountains have been devastated by fire over the history; I remember several times when the Jemez Mountains were closed due to drought – for fear of fire – to full blown forest fires.  On several occasions I was able to see smoke from the fires in Albuquerque 60+ miles away.

After enjoying the view I notice dark clouds moving in along with thunder rumbling in the distance.  I don’t want to be caught up here with heavy rains that may accompany the thunderstorm so I start weaving my way down the hill.  It’s slow going because it is quite steep and I have to find ways around the downed trees.  I make it to the truck with several minutes to spare.  Even though I am in my truck I still have to wind my way down the rutted path to the main road before my rutted path turns into its own stream.

On my way back the weather went from gray and dry to light rain, heavy rain and back again several times.

It was a good day.

Thank you for stopping by,

Mark