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Tom Jervis
The Los Alamos area presents a great
opportunity to observe aspects of Ponderosa Pine ecology. Many of the trails
around town go through areas of old growth, through meadows that have been
reclaimed by trees, and through areas that have been managed to reduce the
hazard of wildlfire. By looking at the ages of
trees in the forest, some of the natural history of the area can be
reconstructed. Evidence that fire was once more common in the area can be
seen almost everywhere you look. Of course most conspicuous are the
stand-destroying effects of the Cerro Grande fire, but in the canyons
described in these hikes, the real reason for the intensity of the Cerro
Grande fire becomes obvious.
The Bayo Bench hikes describe conditions along
the level bench on the north side of Bayo Canyon. The Rendija Canyon hike explores the canyon bottom
where Forest Service actions to create a fuel break and conduct prescribed burns
were successful in restricting the spread of the Cerro Grande fire. The Dot
Grant hike passes through areas that have recently been thinned by the Los
Alamos Fire Department. The Lower Bayo
hike is longer and more strenuous, but visits a marvelous area of old-growth
Ponderosa Pine.
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