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)

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.

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