I first hiked the Muddy Hollow area of Point Reyes in 2001, about 6 years after the Mount Vision fire. I didn't know it at the time, but I was witnessing a changing landscape. Last week I was back and boy was I surprised! Those little stubby Bishop pines that were barely making an impact to the coastal scrub in 2001 have now completely overtaken hillsides.
2001:
2012:
Estero Trail (a new segment, built to replace the perpetually soggy Muddy Hollow Trail) passes through the young forest, which is going through an awkward phase. The trees are crowded together without understory. In the coming years some will die and hopefully huckleberry, salal, and coffeeberry will fill in.
Throughout my hike, I was astounded at the amount of scat. Certainly the season has something to do with it (no rain to wash it away yet), but I saw mountain lion, elk, deer, fox, bobcat, and coyote poop. Keep your eyes open out there!
Read about the hike here:
http://www.bahiker.com/northbayhikes/muddy.html
And the area's recovery from the Vision Fire here:
http://www.nps.gov/pore/parkmgmt/upload/firemanagement_visionfire_trailguide.pdf
