First Report: Jenks Lake and Barton Flats Rec. Area
Alena Nicholas reports exploring new areas in the San Bernardino Mountains, today, the Barton Flats Recreation Area adjacent to Jenks Lake.
This area has a variety of trees “that should be beautiful during peak season,” including black oak, creek dogwood, chokecherry, Rocky Mtn maple, bigleaf maple, white alder, black cottonwood and Frémont cottonwood. Alena says “things are just starting to turn a bit” at 6,500′ in elevation.
The area has several small lakes and ponds, creeks and streams.
“Aspen Meadow” is closeby. Last October, California Fall Color reported that aspen would be the first trees to recover near Big Bear Lake following the Summer’s Lake fire, and that appears to be happening, according to Alena’s report.
A ranger at the Barton Flats Rec. Area said “the aspens are about six to seven feet tall and filling in very nice.” Alena promises to “take a trip there soon, as there’re some nice meadows and streams there.”
Look for several First Reports this autumn from this color spotter, both from the mountains and lowlands.
Also, these shots again show what you can capture with a cell phone, though Alena promises to start carrying the big gun, once the color fills in.
Just Starting (10-15%) Jenks Lake and Barton Flats, San Bernardino Mountains (6,500′)