Indian Canyons reopen

[Florian]

Hiked up the West Fork of Palm Canyon this morning. Almost the entire drainage above 2500' appears to have burned. There is nothing left of the shady cottonwoods at the stream crossing at the Pelton trail junction. Totally wiped out by the fire and subsequent flooding. Sad to see. Was such a lovely spot to cool off on warm days. Fire also burned closer to Hermit's Bench (trading post) than i thought down to 1000' elevation or so. The fire appears to have just followed the west fork creek bed all the way down to maybe 1/4 mile from trading post. Most of the palm trees up the west fork burned but they seem to be recovering well. After the brush in the canyon burned the flooding scoured everything out. You can see the dark gray ash from the flow high up on canyon walls. Would have been an amazing thing to see in person.

Cynthia, Maynard Mine trail is open. I may head up that trail next time.

-Florian