Based on my observations on April 19, I’d summarize like this: The streams are much lower, the forest is much greener, except the scorched earth is still pretty brown. You can see, in the featured image, that there are places that are starting to look like a tropical jungle. There are other places where the ground is still barren, but the deciduous trees are definitely getting their leaves back.
Yesterday (April 19), we didn’t hike any long distances, but we did explore a few areas and I found some spots on the southside trail where I think some additional blazing might be helpful. The prescribed burn has changed the landscape enough that I don’t recognize some of the places on the trail. It’s also made it easier to see through the woods, which can be useful for orienteering.
The mosquitoes are coming out, but I wouldn’t say they are bad. I’d recommend some repellent; if not for mosquitoes then for ticks. I spray my shoes, boots and pants with permethrin and I put picaridin on my lower legs, arms, neck, etc. That seems to do the trick for me.
