Last Labor Day weekend, towards the end of the epic 18 month drought that hit Texas, a massive wildfire swept through Bastrop County just east of Austin. The final toll included 1500 homes burned and the almost-total destruction of Bastrop State Park.
A couple of weeks ago, we were passing through the area and stopped for a while to see the park. At that point, only 15% of the area was open to visitors but I’ve just heard that all other trails will be reopening this coming week now that clearing of dangerous trees is complete.
Walking through the trails we could access, the scale of the destruction is staggering. This area was famed for its pine forests and a huge number of these trees have been destroyed.
You can’t see it from this picture but it’s also wonderful to see how nature is bouncing back. Wildflowers are again growing in the charred areas and many trees that appeared to be completely dead have new shoots growing from their bases.
While it is likely that I will never again see the park look as it did a year ago, it is also pretty certain that it will bounce back and it will be fascinating to watch it go through the process.
Glad to hear it’s coming back Dave – love the perspective here and the details in the bottom part of the tree!
Jim Denham´s last post ..Frosty Farm
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