Mesa Cortina trail, August 13. "Beetle killed" Lodgepole Pine. Colorado's rich Lodgepole pine forests have been desimated by an outbreak of Lodgepole Pine Beetles (AKA, mountain pine beetles). A long drought reduced sap content in the trees, leaving them unable to expell beetles as they burrow into their bark. The trees eventually die of a virus carried by the beetles.
Mesa Cortina trail, August 13. Remains of pine stump amidst new spruce trees reclaiming forest from dead lodgepole pines.
From Mesa Cortina hiking trail, looking towards Bufalo Mountain. Note dead lodgpole pines.
