Astrid Peterson and I went up to see the Pipes Canyon Preserve after the fire. As you must have heard, the preserve has been almost completely burned. The area was closed but we had no trouble talking our way past the Highway Patrolman who was stationed on the road. We just told him the truth, that we were from a hiking club and wanted to take some pictures of the preserve. We were stopped by two fireman who also let us by.
We arrived at the parking lot and we could see all the devastation. The 1000 year old Juniper trees and legacy Pinions are completely gone and the riparian growth along the creek has been burned away. We took some pictures from the parking lot because the preserve is closed. We talked to two people who looked like biologist and they were concerned that we were there but they didn't seem to actually mind. The newly posted sign says that the preserve will be closed until restoration is completed. I will try to find out more information about this.
Just click on the pictures to see a larger image.
