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Autumn scenery already colorful — and crispy

Huckleberry and thimbleberry leaves are turning into vibrant colors on Sept. 13, 2015, in the area around Stevens Lakes near Lookout Pass. But after a record-dry summer, they look crevassed and scabby. Some vegetation in the mountains of the Inland Northwest is the texture of corn flakes. (Rich Landers)
Huckleberry and thimbleberry leaves are turning into vibrant colors on Sept. 13, 2015, in the area around Stevens Lakes near Lookout Pass. But after a record-dry summer, they look crevassed and scabby. Some vegetation in the mountains of the Inland Northwest is the texture of corn flakes. (Rich Landers)

HIKING -- The first day of autumn 2015 is Sept. 23, but fall colors already are brightening the mountain landscapes.

However, a close-up look on Sunday near Stevens Lakes up from Mullan, Idaho, was like crunching through a dry bowl of corn flakes. 

It's been a rough summer for native plants. They're giving us their best shot at fall colors, but the stress is there as though we're looking into the wrinkled face of a disaster survivor.
 

Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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