The Other Side of the Mountain
News August 5th, 2011Although the Las Conchas fire had, and continues to have, a devastating effect on the forest and peoples’ lives on the eastern side of the forest….this side of the mountain is unscathed. With the recent rains, the forest is beautiful. It is green and wildflowers are appearing. Your sense of sight and of smell will be rewarded.
All of the campgrounds, streams, hiking trails, forest roads and hot springs that you are accustomed to enjoying are open and in fine shape.
There are, however, some concerns. The forest is still under stage I fire restrictions which means no campfires or charcoal anywhere in the National Forest except designated campgrounds.
Because of recent rains within the burn area, the runoff is turning the Jemez River watershed a dark muddy color, making fishing very difficult. According to my sources, there has been some fish mortality in the upper headwaters of the East Fork and San Antonio closest to the fire zone. The Jemez River, the East Fork and the San Antonio probably will be unfishable, at least for the next few days. The monsoon flow of moisture is being cut off by high pressure, thunderstorms will subside and the creeks will clear.
In the meantime, the Guadalupe watershed has been unaffected by the fire. The Rio de las Vacas, Rio Cebolla, Rio Guadalupe and Fenton Lake are all clear and fishing is great. The Cebolla was stocked yesterday (Aug 4th) with 450 Rainbows.
The month of August through Labor Day is a fine time to be in the Jemez. Stop in Amandas and say hey.
That pictures is excellent !
Erik
Beautiful!