• Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact
Geogypsy
Menu
  • Home
  • About Geogypsy
    • Herstory
    • Parks where I’ve worked
  • Places I’ve been
    • United States
      • Arizona
        • Antelope Slot Canyon
        • Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
        • Colossal Cave Mountain Park
        • Flagstaff
        • Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
        • Grand Canyon National Park
          • Grand Canyon National Park North Rim
          • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim
          • Toroweap
        • Havasu Canyon
        • Horseshoe Bend
        • Jerome
        • Kaibab National Forest
        • Lee’s Ferry
        • Meteor Crater
        • Navajo Bridge
        • Oak Creek Canyon
        • Painted Desert
        • Pipe Springs National Monument
        • Prescott
        • Quartzsite
        • Saguaro National Park
        • Sedona
        • Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
        • Vermilion Cliffs
        • Walnut Canyon National Monument
        • Wupatki National Monument
        • Yarnell
      • California
        • Anzaberrego
        • Bakersfield
        • Death Valley National Park
        • Joshua Tree National Park
        • Redwoods NP
        • Salton Sea
        • Yucca Valley
      • Colorado
        • Mesa Verde National Park
      • Florida
      • Illinois
        • IL River
        • Morton Arboretum
        • Starved Rock State Park
      • Michigan
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
        • Crater Lake NP
        • Mt Hood
        • Oregon Caves National Monument
      • Texas
        • Alpine Texas
        • Padre Island
        • Port Isabel
        • Rio Grande Valley
      • Utah
        • Brian’s Head
        • Bryce Canyon National Park
        • Buckskin Gulch
        • Cedar Breaks National Monument
        • Cedar City
        • Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
        • Dixie National Forest
        • Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
        • Johnson Canyon
        • Kanab
    • World Travels
      • Germany
      • Mexico
      • South Africa
  • Tours
  • Photography
  • Work with Me
    • Sponsors
  • Contact

Tag: fall

16 October 2018

Day trip for Flagstaff Fall Foliage at Snowbowl

fall aspen Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI so needed a fix to see the fall foliage that I’m used to seeing on the North Rim but that’s seven hours away.  Plus with stormy weather predicted for most of the week I decided to take the open window last Wednesday and drive to Flagstaff.

meadow fall aspen Kendrick Peak clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI’d been thinking about it for days and figured to see some snow as well as fall colors at 7,000 feet in elevation.

trees Antelope Peak sunrise Yarnell ArizonaAwoke early to a pretty sunrise.  Packed snacks and warm clothes and left home about 7am.  I even washed the inside of the windshield though you wouldn’t know it to look at the photos taken on the fly.

View NE Pioneer Parkway Prescott ArizonaHeading up Iron Springs Road I saw it might be a while before the Cottonwoods turn colors.  Bypassing most of Prescott under blue sky yet see a cloud bank to the north where I’m headed.

Juniper-Pinyon US89 North ArizonaThen north on SR89 through the awful Chino roundabouts and past the fields of tall bright shiny gold grasses.  Didn’t see any antelope but did see long-horn cattle.  Climbing towards Ashfork the Juniper and Pinyon woodlands don’t show any obvious visual fall colors except for the golden grasses.

construction I40 East ArizonaLots of construction on I40 slowed down the drive but what a difference it will make when done and no potholes large enough to swallow a Smart car.

snow trees Snowbowl Road Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe closer I got to Flagstaff the more clouds and the temperature dropped to 50°F.  Driving up to Snowbowl felt like the beginnings of winter.

snow fall aspen Snowbowl Road Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAs the shoulder became more white the aspen started showing a little color.  The road is in terrible condition, no shoulder and the fog line is crumbling away.  Suppose that’s the result of lots of snow and plows to clear it.

snow chairlift trees low clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThis was my first visit to the end of this road to Snowbowl.  Bet it’s a pretty place to snow ski, something I quit doing many decades ago in exchange for warmer winter activities in the southern desert.

chairlift snowy meadow fall aspen Kendrick Peak Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaFrom the busy parking lot I walked a trail towards the ski lifts and beyond.  I wanted to take in the view from higher up without climbing any mountains before walking into the forest.

snowy meadow fall aspen Kendrick Peak Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaTalked to a young man who came up from Phoenix for a few days to take photos of the fall aspen.

Couple on horses Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThen a couple on horse back road up and asked if I would take their picture, sure if I could take some too.  Nice way to get around and keep your feet dry, but you can see they are still bundled up, as was I, for the cold.

fall aspen Kendrick Peak Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThe sun tried to peak in and out of the clouds.

red Paintbrush flower snow Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI walked downhill towards the colorful forest and slipped in the snow.  A quick recovery kept me from getting wet.  Was hard to believe flowers still bloomed.

snow meadow fall aspen clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThank goodness for my water proof hiking boots my feet stayed warm and dry.

snow meadow fall aspen clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff Arizona

snow fall aspen Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaAs I worked my way closer to the forest I also paid attention to stay out of the way of other photographers.

snow fall aspen Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaAnd in that process met a couple photographers I’ve known only on Facebook who had driven up from Sedona.  They were all carrying tripods which I didn’t do but probably should have used it as a walking pole.

snow gold Fall Aspen clouds sunburst Snowbowl Flagstaff Arizona

snow gold Fall Aspen mountain clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaFelt like magic walking into the forest with the snow and golden leaves almost like the seasons were confused.

snow meadow trees mountains clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI spent about 2 1/2 hours wandering and making photos of this wonderland that all too soon will be buried under a white blanket and covered with skiers.

SR89 South ArizonaThen it was time to hit the highway home, a three hour drive.  More construction along I40 caused me to be going slow enough to see a Bald Eagle fly.  No photo of that rare sighting.

Iron Springs Road ArizonaThe clouds only thinned a little on the way back.  More storms coming makes me wonder if that will be the end of the color at high elevation.

Iron Springs Road ArizonaIf the temperatures continue to drop I’ll soon be looking for fall foliage in my own neighborhood.

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, fall colors, Flagstaff, Kaibab National Forest fall, fall aspen, fall colors, snow, Snowbowl 20 Comments
02 October 2017

The golds of Fall on the Kaibab Plateau

September 18-20, 2017

fall aspen SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaFall on the Kaibab Plateau brings on many shades of gold and just a touch of red too.

yellow & green aspen 2000 Outlet burn along Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaWith three days off work I started with a drive on the Cape Royal Road where the fall colors were taking off.  The show was particularly brilliant in the 2000 Outlet burn with a carpet of young aspen among the few remaining standing dead pine trunks.  The neon colors were so bright they almost hurt my eyes.

yellow aspen against green along Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaWhile in some places only a few select branches or individual trees had turned to gold.  I thought fall was earlier than usual but as I looked back in my fall photo files it seems about right time wise.

Ravens Vista Encantada Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA quick stop at Vista Encantada overlook to check on a particular clump of aspen along the rim which had not turned yet.  I did enjoy a pair of Ravens sharing secrets overhead.  Golden needles on the Ponderosa Pine  drop about every 5-7 years.

late light Angels Window Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

late light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI timed the drive for late light and sunset at Cape Royal where more gold showed itself on the walls of the canyon at Angels Window and Wotans Throne.

sunrise rays Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

DSC_0559 first light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaEven woke up in time for the gold of sunrise on the horizon to light up Wotans Throne.

sunrise over canyon Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaFollowed by a pale gold on the horizon over the South Rim.

early light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAnd patches of light on the far walls as Wotans continued to glow.

early light on temples & South Rim walls Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAs the sun breaks free the canyon jumps to life slowly filling with brilliant light that chases away deep shadows.

Clarks Nutcracker Cape Royal Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAlong Cape Royal trail golden pinyon pine nuts entice the Clarks Nutcrackers by the dozens.

canyon Little Colorado River from Roosevelt Point Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaShades of red and gold fill the canyon from Walhalla overlook.  A cold wind blows foretelling the approach of winter.

foliage freeze aspen 2016 Fuller burn Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOne year old aspen stand three feet tall among their frozen families from last year’s Fuller Fire near the Point Imperial turn.  (Foliage freeze is a unusual phenomenon during a fire that cooks the moisture from the tree and leaves without actually burning them.)

fall aspen 2000 Outlet burn Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAnd the 2000 Outlet burn looked like a patchwork quilt as I neared the main highway from the Cape Royal Road.

bison meadow North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAn hour before noon I headed out of the park and into the national forest seeing the bison-hybrids along the way.

fall aspen FR22 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI love driving forest roads, slowly with frequent stops for the array of color show.  Began on FR22 for a few miles then north on FR462.

fall aspen FR462 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

looking up fall aspen FR462 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall aspen leaves on ground FR462 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI paused to look into the forest.  I paused to look up in the air.  I paused to look close.  And I paused to look down on the forest floor.

fall aspen FR429 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThen I drove on through the forest admiring the variety of colors.

fall aspen 2006 Warm burn FR429 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaMore gold in the Outlet burn along 429 and still the chill wind blew.

Back on pavement I headed to Jacob Lake for a late lunch and because I planned to shop in Kanab the next day found a place not far from Jacob Lake with a good internet signal and hunkered in out of the wind.

fall aspen SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaOf course I had to stop for more fall colors on the way back home with so many wonderful groves of aspen to choose from.

fall aspen SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaTruly think there were more aspens of gold and red in just two days.

looking up fall aspen SR67 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall aspen SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe wind shook the leaves of the quaking aspen causing them to glitter and rattle like gold but also made it difficult to photograph so the foliage is blurry.

fall aspen SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaRed-tail hawks soared overhead as I drove through the golden meadows.

fall maple Oza Butte North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAnd just over the rim of Grand Canyon can also be seen patches of deep to brilliant red from the scattered maples.

fall maple leaves North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaTwo lonely maples grow along the road almost to the Lodge.

Seems gold with a little red are the colors of this season.

Save

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, Kaibab National Forest, National Parks and Monuments, Places I've been, United States Autumn, fall, fall aspen, fall colors, forest 15 Comments
04 September 2016

The seasons they go round and round..

August 29, 2016

“And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time…”

–Circle Game  by Joni Mitchell

 

After several weeks of chilly rain and humidity temperatures went back in the 70s (20s C).  And yet signs of fall can be seen on the Kaibab Plateau.  Mushrooms pop and aspen turn.

Mushrooms Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMonday morning while waiting for a group of NAU students for a guided hike on the Widforss trail I wandered the edges of the parking lot and mushrooms were everywhere and in every color.  White, cream, orange, browns, and reds.   Golf ball sized white puffballs.  Brilliant red amanitas.  Tiny little burnt orange caps on a spindly stalk.  Yet I saw no oysters or shaggy manes to sauté for dinner.  One of the professors found a couple of edible King Boletus at least as big around as a desert plate, a rusty orange almost wavy top.  After I informed him grazing was allowed in national parks he harvested them to add to the class’ spaghetti dinner.

Dew on grass & seed head Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black-Throated Gray Warbler Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaLittle birds skittered about in the aspen branches rather difficult to photograph like this Black-Throated Gray Warbler.  Some bright yellow flowers persisted.  Dew sparkled on the grasses.  Some flower heads almost completely blown out.  Seems like only yesterday I saw the large blooms instead of seed heads.

 

 

 

Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAlong the first rise of the trail I asked the students to walk slowly, quietly, using all their senses, practice forest bathing.  I felt fall, the air crisp, saw one or two yellow aspen leaves on the trail, but the trees above us still held an only slightly off green.  We walked about a mile making a few stops along the way where I talked about the Ponderosa Pine, Kaibab squirrel, and pointed out some plants.  Then stopped with a view of the canyon and talked about geology.  From there they walked on down the trail and I returned to the trail head.  Took off early and packed for my now two and a half day weekend to shop in the heat of St. George, Utah.

 

 

Aspen turning SR67 North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Aspen turning SR67 North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaFlowers still bloom alongside the road in yellows and purples.  Some of the aspen wear a golden bronze, cheap and dirty, instead of the bright yellows that usually appear in September.  Mullen stands tall, stalks still green and fluffing out with tiny yellow flowers lining the stem.  Last year’s Mullen towers above with brown stalks looking almost like cattails.

2006 Warm Fire SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaRegeneration of aspen in the 2006 Warm Fire thick like hair on a dog.  It’s an interesting topography with 6-15 foot (1.6-2.5 m) aspen surrounding snags of 50-60+ feet (15-25+ m).  Some of the old burnt snags are sculptural like totem poles, and sometimes the twisted tops look like a bird but are usually not although I did see one today.  Fire’s art.

Vermilion Cliffs SR67 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaFluffy clouds hung high above the Vermilion cliffs leaving shadows on the land while the mid-day sun washed out the usually brilliant colors.  Clusters of smiling sunflowers scattered along the road as I dropped through the Juniper/Pinyon woodlands.  A rock squirrel skittered into the grass.

As I drove off the Kaibab Plateau towards Kanab I couldn’t get Joni’s song out of my head.  Am I the painted pony going up and down on this carousel called life?  It’s a contrast of seasons as fall approaches high elevation.  Yet down in Kanab, in the high 80s (30 C) and St George 100+ (~40 C).

90F (32 C) at 5000 feet (1524 m) and AC on as I hit the long stretch past White Sage.  A roadrunner raced across the road, appropriately named.

And once again I heard in my head:  “…as the seasons they go round and round.”

 

Circle Game  by Joni Mitchell

Yesterday a child came out to wonder
Caught a dragonfly inside a jar
Fearful when the sky was full of thunder
And tearful at the falling of a star
Then the child moved ten times round the seasons
Skated over ten clear frozen streams
Words like when you’re older must appease him
And promises of someday make his dreams
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
Sixteen springs and sixteen summers gone now
Cartwheels turn to car wheels thru the town
And they tell him take your time it won’t be long now
Till you drag your feet to slow the circles down
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game
So the years spin by and now the boy is twenty
Though his dreams have lost some grandeur coming true
There’ll be new dreams maybe better dreams and plenty
Before the last revolving year is through
And the seasons they go round and round
And the painted ponies go up and down
We’re captive on the carousel of time
We can’t return we can only look
Behind from where we came
And go round and round and round
In the circle game

Push my buttons!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn

Like this:

Like Loading...
Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, Kaibab National Forest, Utah fall, seasons 16 Comments
← Older posts

Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

Let’s share our stories.  Here’s more of mine…

My wheeleastate

I am currently…

…boondocking somewhere in southern Arizona.  In the area, give a shout.

Geogypsytraveler on YouTube

Follow my journey on YouTube. Just click the pic. Hope you’ll like, share, and subscribe.

Click image for 7 minute documentary (Password “geogypsy” lowercase)

Making the Gypsy documentary is a story of its own.  Click below for the rest of the story.

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Photos available for sale include prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, tote bags, phone cases and more

Reflected Wave 24X16 metal print under $100

Custom Coffee Mugs

Many items to choose from including prints

The Last Blast 24 x 16″ metal print under $100

Need a signal boost? When I boondock on public lands sometimes signal is weak or intermittent and a booster helps. Click the pic to visit WeBoost.

Connecting to nature and the rest of the world too.

Please contact me for photo purchases not seen at GLOlmsted Photography

Order fulfillment is by Fine Art America. If you’re not happy with your purchase, for any reason, simply return it within 30 days, and you’ll receive a full refund of the purchase price.

Why read Geogypsy?

The gypsy life spring-summer 1998 - "You were a real pioneer. RV'ing before it was cool." ...Yogi

How do you process photos? - “Your photographs create an Emotional feeling in the viewer...that they become One with You.” …Cindy

Life’s transitions between travel and work play - "I know you love your job as much as you love travel -- it shines through all your posts." ...Sallie

Lions at Kruger National Park - “Wonderful post, thank you. I was hooked start to finish!” … Peter B

11 lessons looking back 2013 - “A great post -- made me think, made me smile, made me want to cry." ...Sallie

Wildlife video Kruger National Park - “Gorgeous, this makes me want to go straight to South Africa now.” … Ayngelina

Living nomadically & connecting to nature documentary - “What an experience you had and gave to the "crew." Sometimes I think you don't realize how unique and inspiring you are.” …Alan

Search

Popular Posts

1. Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography. 2. Educate yourself about the places you photograph. 3. Reflect on the possible impact of your actions. 4. Use discretion if sharing locations. 5. Know and follow rules and regulations. 6. Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them. 7. Actively promote and educate others about these principles

Categories

Archives

Sites I follow, read & recommend

  • A Full-time Life
  • A Yankee in Belgrade
  • Bob's Eyes
  • Box Canyon Blog
  • Camels and Chocolate
  • Dawns bloggy blog
  • In the Direction of Our Dreams
  • Jane in her infinite wisdom
  • Janie and Steve, Utah Trails
  • Kathie's Birds
  • Las Adventuras
  • Memorable Meanders
  • Oh, The Places They Go
  • On the Road Abode
  • Port Elizabeth Daily Photo
  • Stillhowlyntravels
  • Take to the Highway
  • Technomadia
  • the good luck Duck
  • Travel with the Bayfield Bunch
  • Wandering Earl
  • Wheeling It
  • Yogi's Den

Caught in a Slot 9×12 canvas print under $50

If you don’t like what’s going on in your government, contact your Congress

Directory of Senators

Directory of Representatives

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com
%d