When San Bernardino peak reopened April of this year after the 2020 El Dorado fire that burned more than 7,000 acres, I knew I had to pay a visit. The amount of damaged this mountain endured is unbelievable. Passing through the burned areas made me feel some sort of way. It was beautifully strange or strangely beautiful, I’m not sure which. The thick manzanita bushes that used to line the uphill trail toward San Bernardino Peak are gone. The pines that provided shade and a big-forest feel are gone too, unless you count the dead and blackened trees that still stand. However these white prickly looking poppies flower are flourishing and in some areas you can see tiny mazanita bushes growing. The landscape is definitely in post fire transition and I’ll tell you what, the mountain will always win. She might take a little while to recover but she will and I hope we do our part to help her.