Charred Conifers

Despite the devastating forests fires of 2003 which destroyed most of the Myra Canyon trestles, it’s still a magnificent place for a bike ride. The trestles have been re-built and new green growth is evident everywhere.

Part of the canyon has been designated as a park, and as such the existing burnt trees that are still standing are allowed to remain until nature topples them. On the morning we began our KVR adventure those trees actually made for quite a stark silhouette against the crisp blue sky.

While viewing the KVR forest’s charred vertical trunks I was reminded of Mount St. Helen’s recovery. My wife and I detoured there 4 summers ago on our way to Portland. I hadn’t been to St. Helens for about 20 years prior. Allowing for the vast intensity differential of natural disasters that befell both places, it is reasonable to accept that recovery rates are different. Judging from memory it seems to me that Myra Canyon’s 10-year recovery thus far is about equal to Mount St. Helen’s 33-year progress.

Charred trunks of Myra Canyon.

Dry sticks amid new green growth (and new trestle!).