When traveling to Colorado we stop at Sugarite campground located e/o the town of Raton. Last year a fire roared through this small canyon burning approx 30,000 acres. This year we stopped back into the campground which was once a coal mining site and stayed a couple of nights and took a few photos of how this area was recovering. Thanks for taking a look. Bob

[Sailor]

Bob, some of the trees appear to have green leaves near their tops with brown ones lower down - is that right or am I seeing something that's not there?

Jer

[Bob Harris]

Bob, some of the trees appear to have green leaves near their tops with brown ones lower down - is that right or am I seeing something that's not there?

Jer

You're exactly right Jer, this is at the top of the canyon and they were saying the wind was blowing so hard, it just singed the trees. A lot of them looked like they were coming back when you get closer to them. This really is a beautiful area that we have camped in for many years, an ATV without spark arrestors is what they said started the fire.

[daacon]

Fire can be a good thing and reforestation can happen quickly nice shots Bob.

[loco]

Great shots, Bob! It's sad but also encouraging to see things coming back to life!

[slowpez]

Looks like Colorado is having to fight another tough one this year as is New Mexico. Hopefully, they will not do any more damage and can be quickly extinguished.

[normhead]

Interesting looking place. So it's recovering from the fire it looks like...how's it doing recovering from the coal mine? Thanks for posting.

[Bob Harris]

Fire can be a good thing and reforestation can happen quickly nice shots Bob.

I know it is said it is a necessary part of nature Dave, but when going through parks such as Yellowstone after the 88 fire they shouldn't of let it burn like they did. There are two lakes at this park, one is still closed due to sludge from the fire, killed all of the fish.

[Bob Harris]

Great shots, Bob! It's sad but also encouraging to see things coming back to life!

You're right Lori, it is starting to green up, this area gets some pretty good winter snow storms and the parks dept has planted thousands of saplings.

[charliezap]

As the years go by Bob I would imagine that the area will spring back very nicely.--charliezap

[EdwardConde]

really cool landscape shots Bob...

btw - just picked up a K-5...

[basquist02]

Great photos Dave, really liking the fact that they were done with a p&s....Bas

[Bob Harris]

Looks like Colorado is having to fight another tough one this year as is New Mexico. Hopefully, they will not do any more damage and can be quickly extinguished.

Susan, that NM fire has been going on for a longtime and I think the CO fire has burned about 40K acres. When that wind is blowing, not much can be done, just get out of the way.

[Bob Harris]

Interesting looking place. So it's recovering from the fire it looks like...how's it doing recovering from the coal mine? Thanks for posting.

Norm, this was a coal mining camp that opened up in 1909 and closed in 1948. All mining was done underground, so you really don't see any damage as you would in strip mining. There are some old foundations and the only building left is the post office which is now the park headquarters, but it has been refurbished. What is sort of unusual is the elevation here is about 7,000 feet, much different that our Kentucky and West Virginia mines in the US. I took a hike in the old mine areas, but couldn't even find any coal on the ground, but there is a lot of heavy brush and trees.

[Bob Harris]

As the years go by Bob I would imagine that the area will spring back very nicely.--charliezap

They get some pretty heavy snows up there, so that has to help somewhat I would think.