• 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: flowers

28 June 2017

Cliff Spring trail, an intimate side canyon on the North Rim

forest Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaCliff Spring trail leads into an intimate side canyon with several hundred feet drop in elevation in just under half a mile through forest and past upper canyon walls.

Firecracker Penstemon Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOn a warm June day the Ponderosa Pine offered shade as I started downhill on the Cliff Spring trail.  The forest looked open and park-like with tall grass and lovely firecracker penstemon scattered about the forest floor.

granary Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSeveral large rocks along the trail provided a perfect place for Ancestral Puebloan people to build a granary, or food storage area sort of like our pantry.  Sealed clay pots with winter’s food supply and spring’s seed would have been stored in the protected area.  The Walhalla Plateau where Cliff Spring trail is located has over 400 documented archeological sites from summer occupation 1165 – 820 years ago.

forest cliff Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThe trail follows a drainage then flattens out.  Tree tops reach up next to the trail on one side while walking under overhanging cliff faces and hugging the walls at the head of this small canyon.  I see the profile of a wild rock-woman at the bend in the trail.

plant bird nest in hole Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

 

iron patterns Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaCliff walls of sandy limestone with crazy patterns, iron deposits, maidenhair fern growing overhead, and erosion holes where birds nest.  Quiet, yet so full of life.

 

Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Rounding a corner there is always wind.  Must be the shape of this canyon that somehow funnels whatever breeze to curve along the canyon walls.  Today the motion is a gentle caress yet some days the wind will work against you.

Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOver ten years visiting Cliff Spring I’ve watched this young pine struggling for enough light to grow tall like the twisted snag that lost the battle further along.

canyon view from Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

 

 

The view is limited in distance yet multi-textured, sculptured, and colorful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSurface water percolated through porous limestone to a dense shale layer were it seeps between the rocks leaving dark stains and damp areas where plants hang on to life.

rose bush Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThe wild roses are the best here, their wonderful aroma greets me before I even see them.

seep spring Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThere is something quiet and special about Cliff Spring.  Frequented mostly by birds and butterflies, I rarely see other people here of which I am glad so that I may enjoy the tranquility.

rose bud Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizonarose bush Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

 

And have time to stop and smell the roses.

 

 

 

 

spring Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The trail ends at a seep spring, just a shallow pool of water for wildlife, not for swimming.  It may appear the trail continues past the spring, that is what we Rangers call a social trail, unmaintained.  You are welcome to walk it but I don’t imagine you’ll get far before deciding it’s a little sketchy with steep drop offs.

hand print Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaPlease don’t be fooled by the red hand-prints on the rock walls, they are not old.  It seems some folks like to leave their legacy and there’s red soil and water.  Although I don’t like to see this desecration it is better than scratching names in the rock and much easier to remove.  I just don’t get why it has to happen.

 

 

Cliff Spring trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI sit for a while on a boulder covered with ancient ripple marks, listening to the slow yet constant drip of water.  Then reluctantly leave this special hidden canyon and head to Cape Royal for sunset and the milky way.

 

Parking is found in a wide paved area on a sharp curve across from the trail head about 1/2 mile from the end of the Cape Royal Road.  The trail sign is small and difficult to see, look for a crosswalk.  The trail is .8 mile round trip with 250 feet elevation change, forested and edgy along cliff faces.

Just one of many delightful trails on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

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, National Parks and Monuments, Places I've been, United States Cape Royal Road, Cliff Spring trail, cliffs, flowers, forest, granary, seep spring, Walhalla Plateau 15 Comments
26 June 2017

Solstice sunrise from Cape Royal

sunset crespuscular rays Wedding site Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOK, so my summer solstice actually began with sunset and the milky way on the 20th then I actually set the alarm for the solstice sunrise.

sunset crespuscular rays Wedding site Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI met a friend and fellow photographer at Cape Royal in the afternoon as we’d planned to shoot the milky way.  Using the app PhotoPills, she was able to get an idea where the milky way would be at various different times.  This is an app I plan to download onto my phone in the future.

http://www.photopills.com/

sunset crespuscular rays Wedding site Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaBut first the sunset.  We found a nice bunch of rocks at the rim by the Wedding site and settled in to mostly watched the show.  I did however get out the tripod and made a few shots as the sun set behind trees on the horizon.

Gaelyn Cape Royal sunset North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona by Rebecca WilksPhoto curtesy of Rebecca Wilks

Then before the milky way would rise we enjoyed a grand dinner of strawberries on brownies, angel food cake for me with heavy cream.  Very fortifying.  I mean, how can one go wrong with fruit and chocolate.

stars Angels Window Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI am rather new to night photography so had to take a few test shots to determine what I was pointing at.  Auto focus is impossible after dark and I have difficulty using manual focus.  But with the ISO at 1600, a 20 second exposure, f-stop as wide as possible at 3.5 with my 18-200mm lens, tripod, and 2-second delay I managed to get a few shots.

stars milky way Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI was surprised to actually see the red glow from the Boundary Fire burning on Kendrick Peak not far north of Flagstaff.

crescent moon Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAfter being awake until almost 11pm I wasn’t sure I’d make it in the morning for the solstice sunrise.  When the alarm went off at 4am I reset it for an extra 25 minutes, then got up, made coffee, grabbed gear, and headed down the Cape Royal trail for the solstice sunrise.  I was surprised to see a small crescent of the moon as the sun lit the smoke on the horizon.

sunrise Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA few other photographers were already out, including my friend who I didn’t see until later.  And of course, first one up gets the premier location.  I moved down the trail to find my own view.

sunrise Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

sunrise Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSlowly, the red ball of fiery sun slowly rose above the distant Echo Cliffs creating a soft glow on the wisps of clouds.

soltice sunrise Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMore light revealed the layers of plateaus across the canyon.

solstice sunrise Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

solstice sunrise Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaUntil finally the glow was almost too bright to look at.

first light Wotans Throne Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaSo I moved to the west side of the point for the soft glow of first light on Wotan’s Throne and the canyon walls.

crepuscular rays Brady Peak Mount Hayden Saddle Mountain from Roosevelt Point North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaThen took a slow drive home with a stop along the way at Roosevelt Point.

Geraniums Ken Patrick trail Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaPlus a geranium lined invitation to the Ken Patrick trail along the Cape Royal Road.

Colorado columbine Cape Royal Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAnd one of the few places to see Colorado Columbine in bloom along the Cape Royal Road.

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, Cape Royal, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim, National Parks and Monuments, Places I've been, United States crepuscular rays, flowers, milk way, stars, sunrise, sunset 18 Comments
12 April 2017

Flowers at Fossil Falls

March 23-28, 2017

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaThere are no fossils, or currently any waterfalls either at Fossil Falls, but there were flowers growing in cracks and crevices of jagged basalt carved smooth by the ancient flow of water.

After two weeks exploring around Lone Pine California—Alabama Hills, Manzanar, and Tuttle Creek—it looked like a little break in the wind and I figured it was time to start the journey home.  But of course with some stops along the way.  Thanks to Jeff for recommending Fossil Falls.

Red Hill US395 South Fossil Falls BLM CaliforniaOnly a 40 mile drive south on US395 I watched carefully for Cinder Road just south of the prominent Red Hill.  Along the way I stopped in don’t blink you’ll miss it Olanche for much needed propane.  Ouch, $4.99/gallon hurt the budget, especially after a museum visit and staying at Boulder Creek RV Resort the night before.  Time for a cheap rich connection with nature.

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake California

water carved basalt Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaSigns directed me down a good gravel road a short way to the turn off for both day use parking and a campground.  A 1/2 mile easy trail lead deceptively over low ridges of porous yet smooth basalt.  And suddenly, a 40 foot drop reveals this fossil of a waterfall.  The scene is vast and difficult to put into perspective.  The seemingly jumbled and carved rock like a pile of discarded sculptures was overwhelming and hard to separate.

unidentified flowers Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaPlus I was totally distracted by the brilliant dots of color with flowers scattered around.  The dark lava rock made a nice backdrop yet the wind made it difficult to photograph.

I didn’t stay too long as the falls canyon was looking straight into the lowering sun and I wanted to find my campsite for the night.  Nice to know I could return in the morning.

(All unidentified)

 

lava flow Coso Mountains Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaThe primitive campground offers a hand-operated water pump that others reported was a slow pain, and a pit-toilet.  The dirt road has lava tire bitters to avoid.  Each of the maybe dozen campsites had a table, fire ring, and grill.  Only a few sites would accommodate large vehicles.  I never saw the “pay station” for the BLM $6/night fee.  Wasn’t overly worried about it for a planned one night stay at $3 with my Senior Pass.

unidentified yellow flower Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaI had every intention of getting out, relatively, early for some morning light.  Instead Berta and discussed the troubles with our world.  Yet timing turned out right when I met and chatted with two ladies coming off the Fossil Falls trail.  Carolyn is a blogger and instagramer from BC, Canada and was traveling home in her RV with her friend  Christine caravaning behind her.

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaI spent about two hours roaming around on this course and sculpted landscape beyond the first falls.  Between 400,000 and 10,000 years ago basaltic lava flowed from the Coso volcanic range east of the Owens Valley.  While the area is an arid desert now, water once flowed from Owens Lake to the north through the narrow valley creating an interconnected system of lakes that are now dry basins.  In addition to lava flows and river systems, the Owens Valley was once covered with glaciers.  The falls were formed when the river was forced to divert its course over a basalt flow, polishing and reshaping the rock.

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake California

pothole selfie Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake Californiapothole Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake California

Although it’s possible to crawl down into the ancient flow I chose to stay on top inspecting potholes made by rocks caught in an ancient eddy that drilled these almost perfectly circular holes.

Desert Hyacinth Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaDesert Hyacinth

Sediments settled in some of these carved rocks creating micro environments like a pot filled with flowers.  And these attracted butterflies, some pairs dancing on air, that were way quicker than I am with the camera.  I found it interesting to note that frequently the color of the butterfly matched the flowers they landed on.

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaI tried to imagine the flow of water, listening for its song as it dropped and swirled to create this smooth yet chaotic rock fissure.

Red Hill Little Lake Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake California

Sunset clouds Fossil Falls Little Lake California

dry lake bed Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaThis place deserved more than one day of exploration but with a weekend coming I headed out about another mile past the appropriately named “Little Lake” and camped on a dry lake bed.  The dry cracked mud looked like cobblestones but I wouldn’t want to drive on them when slippery wet.

 

 

SUV dust Coso lava field Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaUnfortunately the wind kicked up the following day yet I was content to stay inside with a good signal working on posts and enjoying the shadow speckled Coso Mountains beyond the long stretch of valley.  Plus entertained by the occasional SUV driver fantasizing a race across the Bonneville salt flats dry lake bed and leaving a legendary trail of dust lingering behind.

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaMy birthday started late that night and well into the next morning with wishes from different time zones, the other side of the world in some cases.  I love social media for the friendships and conversations with friends around the world.  Depending on how late you stay up or get up.

Yellow pepper-grass Sierras Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaYellow pepper-grass

Rattlesnake weed, Purple Owl's clover, unidentified & Phacelia Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaI eventually went for about a three hour stroll through the wildflowers and around some interesting shaped lava with the southern Sierras as a backdrop.  Many of the flowers at Fossil Falls are tiny—from the head of a pin to a pea-size and no more than a quarter—growing in the shade of lava rocks.  True survivors.  Scattered, hiding, but there.  I respect the desert blooms for not being too big and showy as they struggle to flower at all.

Rattlesnake weed, Purple Owl’s clover, unidentified & Phacelia

Lupine Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaLupine, called Bluebonnet in Texas, seems to grow in many environments.  I’ve seen it stunted to no more than four inches tall on rocky tundra and up to two feet in meadows, plus every height in between.  These weren’t more than 10 inches.

rabbit Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaSparks of sunshine reflected off numerous chips of shinny obsidian left behind by the First People indicating they knapped arrow heads here.  Might have been good hunting.  I saw a couple of jackrabbits the size of a large lap dog.

Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaThat night the wind rocked me and with predicted N/NW gusts of 55mph I moved first thing in the morning into a little more sheltered area in the campground.  The low walls of lava buffered it a bit and was certainly better than the dusty dry lake bed.

butterfly dry lake bed Fossil Falls BLM Little Lake CaliforniaWith the camper still rocking I didn’t poke my nose out all day.  Thank goodness for a strong signal.  But I’m done with it.  I would roll the next day wherever the wind blew me.

Save

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...
California, Places I've been, United States camping, flowers, Fossil Falls, geology, hiking, lava flow 18 Comments
← Older posts
Newer 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