Since Friday, I’ve been mostly in the central Idaho backcountry. So there have been just a few posts.
It’s incredible how much of central Idaho has burned since 2000 when I finished my last edition of Hiking Idaho.
On the other hand, at the present autumn colors are just tremendous.
- Warm Springs Creek. Frank Church Wilderness. Burned out in 2007. October 6, 2008. Copyright Ralph Maughan ↓
- Pats Creek autumn leaves. Challis National Forest. This photo was taken Oct. 6, 2008 on the opposite side of the mountain from Warm Springs Creek.
- Bear scat in Pats Creek. Rosehips are on the menu. Oct. 6, 2008. Copyright Ralph Maughan
Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is past President of the Western Watersheds Project and the creator of The Wildlife News.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Post more pictures please.
Great shot Ralph, nice soft colors and perfect composition.
Some mighty fine country you’ve got there.
Is beetle kill a huge issue there? The rust here is being mistaken for changing leaves.
The colors are great in this shot Ralph. You must have felt very at peace when looking atthem.
Ryan,
I added two more photos.
vicki,
The conifers are red because they were killed the previous year by a ground fire. If you look closely, the entire Warm Springs Creek drainage, with the exception of a few areas, is burned out. The fire was in 2007.
I hiked down a way into the drainage. Some of the trees are red, others are completely black and largely consumed. As is typical, some individual trees and patches escaped the fire. The same is true in adjacent canyons.