When we woke up the morning of December 15, 2006 we knew from news reports that there was significant damage in the area. We were not prepared for the extent of the destruction. Not even the park staff had yet been able to access many areas of the park. It took a few days for it all to sink in.
These images were taken just hours after daybreak and are shown in time sequence.
Please note that this damage was caused not just by the winstorm that morning but by heavy rains, winds, snow, ice that had been pounding the West Coast during the last part of November and December prior to this.
With respect to the damage itself not only were the tress uprooted but some were actually snapped above ground level. As they fell they took down other trees as well. In many cases on their way down they damaged other trees by shearing off major branches leaving those trees standing but beyond saving so that many trees though still standing will have to be brought down during the cleanup for many reasons including the safety of park patrons.
For those of us who use the park constantly it is a great misfortune. I hesitate to call it a tragedy on a relative scale. The park will be a radically changed place for the next 2 decades as newly cleared spaces begin to fill in again. On a positive note we will have the opportunity to witness the rebirth of the park.
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