A few weeks ago when I drove out to do the Arroyo Sequit hike, I stopped by the Secret Spot. The park is still closed, of course, and with the rains last month doing more damage with mudslides, it will be for some time.
The current estimation is that it won’t open til June. Which seems like a really looooong way away. *sigh*
Still, even from outside the park, there are signs of things coming back:
Hill above the park entrance just after the fire
The same hill, grasses and flowers starting to bloom
Blackened hillsides and road near the park entrance just after the fire
The same road, still black on one hill, but greening on the other.
I can’t wait to get back in and see how things are…
The GeekHiker 
the before and after pics really help tell the story… hope you get into your secret spot soon!
By: charlotte harris on March 19, 2008
at 6:27 am
The difference between the before and after pictures is amazing. I’m glad things are going back to green.
By: Ruby on March 19, 2008
at 9:14 am
Nice to see the recuperative power of nature. You’ll be back on the secret trails before you know it.
By: Homer-Dog on March 19, 2008
at 5:55 pm
Yay!
By: just a girl on March 19, 2008
at 8:45 pm
charlotte – Thanks!
Ruby – Ah, the wonder of spring, eh?
Homer-Dog – I’d be in there sooner if the park weren’t closed til June!
just a girl – 🙂
By: geekhiker on March 19, 2008
at 9:09 pm
Wow, nature is an amazing thing eh?
By: Backpackermomma on March 20, 2008
at 5:45 am
Man, thanks for posting those side by side. I saw them on Flickr first and immediately wanted to see the individual photos together. I love comparison photos like that and I love seeing nature rebound!
By: Vicky on March 21, 2008
at 6:05 pm
I can’t wait to get back anywhere!!
*cough-cough*
By: Aaron on March 22, 2008
at 10:23 am
I have so much to catch up on! It’s good to see things are slowly re-emerging…
By: cripkitty on April 3, 2008
at 10:30 am