The Pinnacles post-fire pics

[zippetydude]

I went up to the Pinnacles last weekend. I had gone there a couple of months ago and it was so overgrown with desert scrub that you couldn't actually explore the various rock formations without serious bushwhacking and losing considerable skin, so I just gave it up. Well, the Pilot Fire changed all that. I often think of fire as a destructive force in nature since I hate to see beautiful forests destroyed, but in seeing this area post-fire I'd say the fire had a cleansing effect. Yes, it's a little bleak and scorched right now, but you can wander freely and it's quite an interesting place.

Just before you get to the small peak actually called the Pinnacles there is a giant tombstone shaped rock to your right. It's gotta be 60+ feet tall, maybe 25 feet wide, and only about 5 feet thick. Here's the side view:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 048 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Here it is from a distance:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 076 by zippetydude, on Flickr


I saw something sparkle so I zoomed it in to find out what it was...

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 079 by zippetydude, on Flickr

And here is the tombstone zoomed in a bit less:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 077 by zippetydude, on Flickr

I imagine climbers actually have a name for the rock, but I don't know what that might be...Cameron, are you familiar with the area?

Anyway, where there once was an impenetrable thicket, you can now walk freely:
Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 065 by zippetydude, on Flickr

which affords a nice view of Silverwood Lake:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 063 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Here you can see a lucky pine tree that just happened to be between rocks big enough to shelter it:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 058 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 059 by zippetydude, on Flickr

You can climb around on the boulders now that the brush has been mostly burned out:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 056 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 057 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 044 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 036 by zippetydude, on Flickr

There is a lot of exfoliation visible on the rocks. I'm not sure if the fire accelerated the process or if it's just a constant, fairly rapid process that's always happening. Here are a couple of close-ups:

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 051 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 053 by zippetydude, on Flickr

And here's a shot that shows how much has taken place in just the past few weeks since the fire. The white spots are where the rock has split off and stands in contrast to the parts that are blackened with soot. If you look closely you can see several large rocks in the background with white patches as well.

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 082 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Here some small creature is beginning to rebuild...

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 080 by zippetydude, on Flickr

And here is a tiny plant doing the same thing...

Dropping Nat off and Pinnacles after Fire 050 by zippetydude, on Flickr

Now is a great time to explore the area if you have the chance. I also hope to go up and see what it looks like with a blanket of snow this winter. Hope you enjoyed the tour!

z

[Sally]

Great pics, Zip! Although stark and sad, I think it looks like a thorough cleansing. I bet if we get any rain this winter that there will be an awesome wildflower display this or next spring!