GOAG

On the Manti-La Sal National Forest, we have a "scenic area" called the Grove of Aspen Giants.  I went there (for the first time) on Monday afternoon.  Whether I saw any giants, I'm not sure, but it was certainly a good time for leaf peeping.

Double Bridges

For most of the past decade, my climbs in Center Creek have been on the south- and west-facing slopes.  These locations tend to be arid and not as heavily forested as the northeast facing side.  During the Brian Head Fire of 2017, however, much of the dense understory was removed from the north-facing slopes and they have become somewhat more accessible.  There is still a lot of dead and downed wood, and the rose and oak are quickly re-sprouting, but I've been able to do more exploring over there than I would have done before.  The other day, I found a natural bridge.  Two of them actually, one on top of the other.

No Rest for Painters

The girls went to Escalante this weekend for the annual plein air competition.  Thunderstorms are in the forecast, so hopefully they can find some dramatic skies without too much wind and rain.  In the meantime, VSO is showing at the Zion National Park Forever's 2021 online exhibit.  I think they've done a nice job with it.  See it here.  Finally, VSO has been practicing around town by painting some of the old pioneer houses.  I'm not sure that these have been shown, so consider this their premier.

Colorful but Thin

I was asked by a reporter this week to explain the effect of drought on aspen leaves.  I said two things.  First, while drought may diminish the glow—less gold and more brown—it won't keep us from enjoying the autumn scenery.  Second, aspen trees respond to drought by making fewer and smaller leaves.  So, while we'll continue to have a colorful autumn, if you look closely the aspen crowns may appear thin and ragged.  Yesterday, while I was out, I checked my comments against reality.  I don't think I was wrong.

Too Much Sun

It is definitely too hot for hiking.  I went with EDO to the ridge between Yankee Meadow and Center Creek.  There was not a cloud in the sky; not a breath of wind.  The only thing out there was the sun, and way too much of that.

First Wood

Last year, I started one week earlier (August 29) and I planned for 16 truckloads.  This year, I started today (September 4) with a load of pinyon and I'm planning on 12 truckloads.  At this time of year, it is really too hot for firewood cutting, but if I wait until October the girls will want to start burning and I'll have nothing for them.  In other words, by the time the weather is right for cutting, it is also right for burning.