.jpg "Side canyon seen from Cliff Spring trail NR GRCA NP AZ")
View into side canyon from trailAfter lunch at the Walhalla overlook I hiked the Cliff Spring Trail, 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip.
.jpg "Fern growing on rock above Cliff Spring trail NR GRCA NP AZ")
Sandstone overhang on trail
The trail drops just a bit off the rim into a forested ravine then follows a sandstone bluff to the spring.
.jpg "Cliff Spring NR GRCA NP AZ")
Cliff SpringsSeep springs do not bubble up from the ground. This water percolated through limestone and sandstone before hitting a layer of shale that can’t be penetrated. The water then seeps out between the rock layers to form a shallow pool and cave.
.jpg "Rippled sandstone at Cliff Spring NR GRCA NP AZ")
Ripple marks on sandstoneThis sandstone was deposited about 270 million years ago as sand dunes followed by an ocean that covered the land for more millions of years.
.jpg "Fly on flower Cliff Spring NR GRCA NP AZ")
Hystricia abrupta, a funny name for this fuzzy fly, on an unknown flowerA great variety of plants not seen elsewhere at Grand Canyon grow in this wet environment. Native Americans would have gathered water from the many seeps here.
.jpg "Animal tracks Cliff Spring NR GRCA NP AZ")
Look closely for the animal tracksThis is a great place to sit quietly and wait for birds. Unfortunately, my camera and I are not good at bird captures, yet. Instead I found evidence of the mule deer coming for a drink.
.jpg "Modern grafitti Cliff Spring NR GRCA NP AZ")
Modern rock artSome visitors just can’t seem to resist adding their mark. At least it’s just mud and not carved in graffiti.
I hung out for over an hour at Cliff Spring watching the water drip and listening to the wind. Also chatted with the few visitors that came by. Sadly, most trails over .5 mile (.8 km) don’t see a lot of visitation, especially from our American visitors. And the foreign visitors want trails of many miles. Next I headed for sunset at Cape Royal.
What a grand country we live in and just think you are there!!!
Lake Sixteen is a couple of miles from Pilchuck Glass School and the school is right on the road I live on. Have you been there? MB
I enjoyed this tour of Cliff Springs Trail. Your sandstone overhang image is really cool. I like the unusual perspective and the colors are awesome.
Beautiful Virtual Tour !! I loved the excellent photos !! Thanks for sharing..Unseen Rajasthan
I loved your tour of the Cliff Springs and the pictures are wonderful. When i was at the grand Canyon the last time we did not have time for hiking. So I appreciate reading the post on your blog.
I love the rich green of the seeps and springs of the Grand CAnyon. It's such a contrast to the rest of the desert scenery. So true that few Americans are willing to hike very far.
Loved your hike, Gaelyn! Seep Springs is a scenic place – love those rock walls! I'm on my way to UP – visiting you on my phone.
Cliff Springs is one of my favorite places here at the North Rim. I suggest it as a short hike every day when I am at the entrance station, because it is a different perspective from the other trails here.
What a great trail! I am always astonished at the number of people who won't walk a small distance to see things. What's up with that???
We often forget we are embedded in a three dimensional matrix of energy and it is wonderful for you to remind us that we should look beneath our feet, over our heads, at the colours of the earth, at the textures that meld with our hands. Paradise is here amongst us.
Gaeyln: Now that is the length of trail I like on these old knees.
I am awed by mountains. The rock sculptures, their colours and how they have been there for aeons, used as shelter and canvas.
At the moment I watch a documentary about Yellowstone Nationalpark. The first of the series, Winter, was yesterday, Sunday evening. What a park, and treasure you have got.
Thanks for taking us on your hike.
Home is where you park it ? wow, that must be a dream. Good that those marks you saw were in mud. Wishing you all the best !
Very Nice Gaelyn! I enjoyed the video with the sounds, moss and lichen..
It sounds like a perfect hike to me. Lovely photos!
I would love to sit there for a few hours in contemplation. The peacefulness would just let the rest of the world melt away.
I love your new header photo! I almost came up to the Grand Canyon this weekend but I couldn't convince my husband! I'll just have to come by myself sometime! What a marvelous place!
I enjoyed hiking with you! Thanks for taking me. 🙂
I felt refreshed on your tour!