Trailside Colors

[AlanLichty]

Some fall color along the Kentucky Creek Trail in the Siuslaw National Forest. This is a good example of why the maples thrive near creeks and streams in the coastal forests. As the water cuts into the soft soils tall trees along the edge are more exposed to that irresistible force of gravity and tend to fall over leaving opportunities for the maples. The slope between the trail and the creek is a lot steeper than it looks with the creek about 50' below the trail and the roots of the foreground trees are looking a bit vulnerable.

C&C always welcome.

 

[JimFox]

You do get that feeling that they are vulnerable. Nice image Alan, with a nice show of fall color.

 

[AlanLichty]

You do get that feeling that they are vulnerable. Nice image Alan, with a nice show of fall color.

Thanks Jim - this was one of the bigger patches of maples I encountered along this trail.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Nice variety of colors here. Interesting observation about the proximity of creek to how the mix of foliage develops.

 

[AlanLichty]

Nice variety of colors here. Interesting observation about the proximity of creek to how the mix of foliage develops.

Thanks Jameel - I have encountered this foliage mix situation in quite a number of the drainages along the OR coast range and it's pretty consistent. In the desert its often easiest to follow a wash to get downstream or upstream but in the coastal forests this is where you can expect to find most of the tree falls and the most difficult path to get anywhere on foot unless someone is ahead of you with a chainsaw