Granite Mountain — Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021

There is an active fire up top, just above the tree line to the west of the main trail. Two firetrucks (pickups) were in the lot, and a third Sheriff's pickup was near by. The trail that turns off to Granite Mtn at mile 1.1 has a sign posted notifying of this active burn, but the path is not closed. I started in about 4:30pm. Lots of blueberries, red huckleberries, black huckleberries, and service berries (skatoon berries). Some wild black berries and thimble berries too. A fireman hiked in after me an hour before sunset with a large hoe. The burn is above the second and third avalanche shoot just above the treeline, and was smoldering blue smoke along its upper edge. The mountain air at the big switchback (where it turns west toward the peak) is compromised in quality. A few ruffed grouse startled me. see the pix