Dear Pine Knot

I'd have to disagree with Denton Doc - the photo he showed is not typical at all. I rarely see such colourful towels in the backcountry of WCPP.  Usually they are quite plain andmuch dirtier. Must be at the beginning of his trip!!!
I do agree with your discription tho as you go further north. You will lose the large red and whites - but then life would be boring if we were all the same.  The towel photo is a prime example!!!
The forest is different as it is derived from a different set of conditions.  We do have reds but they are fewer and farther between bscause of the fire regime.  We tend to celebrate those occurances more excitedly as they are at the northern extent of thier range.  Same goes for the Bur Oak that appears here and there.