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Tag: Widforss trail

18 July 2016

Forest bathing on the Widforss Trail Grand Canyon

July 4, 2016

Join Ranger Gaelyn for a guided walk as we practice forest bathing on the Widforss Trail along the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.  Meet at the trail head at 8 am, allow up to two hours, and bring water.

Gunnar Widforss, On the Way to Granduer Point

I was working on a program for a guided hike on the Widforss trail named after watercolorist Gunnar Widforss who spent time during the 1920s painting at Grand Canyon.  It would be about how artists brought the national parks to the people of the east back at the turn of the last century.  Other famous, and not to famous, artists traveled with explorers and surveyors documenting landscapes we now protect as national parks, monuments, and more.  Heinrich Balduin Möllhausen  and F.W. von Egloffstein accompanied Lt. Joseph Christmas Ives’ scientific expedition traveling up the Colorado River via the steamship Explorer in 1857-58.  After the Civil War photographer John K. Hillers and artist Frederick Dellenbaugh joined John Wesley Powell’s second trip by boat down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.  In 1873 painter Thomas Moran and photographer Jack Hillers accompanied Powell to the North Rim.  Thomas Moran’s paintings of both the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon in Arizona were purchased by Congress and hung in the Capitol.  Many more followed and people still practice their arts at Grand Canyon and other national parks.  The research involved was fascinating.

Then, I saw a share on Facebook that looked interesting, clicked the link, and suddenly my research went in an entirely different direction.  Shinrin-yoku, taking in the forest atmosphere, or forest bathing, for the benefit of mental and physical health.  I already know and experience how healthy connecting to nature is so I did more research.  The Japanese Shinrin-yoku was coined by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 1982 to promote physiological and psychological health for the population.  Scientific studies indicate a reduction in blood pressure and stress with an increase in happiness.

So my guided hike idea became “Taking in the forest atmosphere by soaking up the sights, sounds and smells.”  A very slow walk, stopping often to experience the details of our surroundings.  I figured to take at least an hour to walk a mile.

We live in such a fast pace society and even getting out into nature I see many people walking fast just to get to their destination.  This hike is about the journey, although there is a destination in mind with an awesome view from the head of Transept Canyon, still in the forest.  We’ll introduce ourselves and share a favorite park experience before strolling up the trail slowly, absorbing the natural atmosphere, simply being in the moment.

Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

A couple hundred yards from the trail head/parking lot is a sweet tiny meadow, grasses, flowers and such surrounded by towering Ponderosa Pines and Quaking Aspen.  A good place to stop with a group of don’t know how many visitors without blocking the trail.  Ranger walks and talks don’t require pre-registration at the North Rim.

Wildflowers along Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Remember, there’s no rush along this walk.  Take your time.  Along the way I saw all these wildflowers and more within the first 100 yards.  Some I even know their names.  This was slowly becoming a flower walk, but would change with time and season.

After walking slowly for about 10 minutes admiring the flowers, I’ll stop before the trail curves and climbs into the forest where I’ll introduce visitors to the idea of forest bathing.  This is about being in the present moment.  Take deep breaths.  Notice the temperature and air on the skin.  Listen carefully perhaps cupping hands behind ears to hear more, like a deer’s ears.  Smell the air to identify scents.  Stick out the tongue to taste the air.  Look at the big and small.  Notice your feet on the earth.

 

Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaFrom here the trail is a little steep and rocky.  Walk slowly using all senses.  Spread out yet keep others in sight.  We will regroup about a mile ahead at trail marker #6.

Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Little things along the way can offer a window to the forest world.  Unexpected surprises appear.  The morning air feels cool on skin.  Bird song drifts through the trees.  Early sun warms the forest giving off a slightly sweet smell.  There is a tangy taste to the air.

Burrow under rock Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Forest creatures have left their homes to scavenge for breakfast.

Wildflowers Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

More flowers add bright spots of color against the pine needle covered forest floor.

 

Burned stump Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaOld stumps sculpturally decorate along the forest path.  Evidence of a fire long past.

 

Wild roses Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The perfume of wild roses.

 

 

Looking up Ponderosa Pine Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Trees tower overhead, the texture of the bark corky and rough.  Ancient sentinels guarding the forest.

Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Sun warmed boulders beckon to be touched.  The trail leads on past more wonderment.

 

Worm on thread Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA tiny creature hangs from a thread swaying gently on the soft breeze.

Fossils in rock Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Rock reveals life from the geologic past.

Canyon view Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

About an hour later the canyon comes into view.  We will sit among the trees for a moment to marvel at what nature shared with us.  Then join together and share experiences from this forest bathing experience.

From there the trail goes on another four miles through the forest to an overlook on Grand Canyon.  Hopefully people who choose this route will continue to take in the forest atmosphere.  I, unfortunately, must return to the reality of the visitor center.  Yet will return to bath in this forest again and practice Shinrin-yoku, taking in the forest atmosphere.

Unfortunately, nobody showed up for my first shot at this idea.  So I practiced and took a little over an hour to walk about a mile forest bathing on the Widforss trail.  Of course I did chat with many visitors going both ways, and some even passed me returning.

Unidentified butterfly Widforss Trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” —John Muir

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Arizona, Grand Canyon National Park North Rim Forest bathing, Shinrin-yoku, Widforss trail 37 Comments
10 October 2010

Fall hike on the Widforss Trail

Golden aspen line road to Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I got paid to take a fall hike on the Widforss Trail Saturday.

Ferns turning golden brown along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Well I am a Park Ranger and part of my job is to be available to answer questions. And a lot of visitors hike the Widforss Trail. At five miles each way the first half is forested with views into Transept Canyon.  The second two and a half miles are completely forest with a big view of the canyon at the end.  Camping permits are issued to camp there.

Aspens, pines & firs along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Occasionally Rangers get a day of project time releasing us from duties at the visitor center and giving programs/talks.

Ripe Juniper berries along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I’ve posted about hiking the Widforss Trail in summer.

Kaibab squirrel along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Yet this trail is such a beauty and deserves more press.

Glowing aspen amongst the green from Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Especially as the colors change for fall.

Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I was startled by this stump critter.

Stump critter along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Until I got a closer look.

Fall aspen leaf nestled in spruce boughs along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Hiked for about 2.5 hours and probably didn’t cover more than a couple miles. Such a delight. I’m going to miss this place over the winter. But I won’t miss the snow.

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27 August 2010

Hike on the Widforss trail

After a filling lunch at the North Rim’s Grand Lodge it was time for a hike on the Widforss Trail.

Paintbrush, lupine & yellow wildflowers along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

 I love how the first half of this rim trail stays mostly under the shady forest with patches of wildflowers yet also provides peaks into the Transept Canyon and beyond.

Storm over Transept canyon Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

The many days of earth quenching rain followed by days of sunshine brought out a diversity of mushrooms. I don’t really know what all these are.

Misc shrooms Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I’ve been gathering wild edible mushrooms for years, but in the moist Pacific Northwest.

Brahma & Zoroaster temples behind Widforss Pt Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Most people think of Arizona as desert, yet I’m sure you’ve seen from many of my photos it’s not All desert. Last year I saw the delectable Shaggy Manes here, but alas, not until they were too far gone to eat.

Shaggy Manes under RV North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

This year they’re growing under the RV. And quite delicious when very fresh.

Oyster mushroom Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I kept seeing this shelf mushroom on dead trees thinking it looked very familiar. So I took enough photos from all angles to check at home in my field guides for confirmation. I kept thinking that’s a choice edible. Oh yea! it’s an Oyster mushroom, very tasty. And before you can remind me not to gather anything—especially mushrooms—in a National Park let me tell you it’s OK to graze. Pick just enough to eat while in the park, not to pack home or to sell.

Fly Agaric along Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona 

Poisonous Fly Agaric

The soonest I could return, two weeks later, and no more oyster mushrooms. You really have to pick them when their prime. Just stay away from the one above, very poisonous.

Gaelyn & Mike's feet overlooking Transept canyon from Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

But even without mushrooms we really enjoyed the hike and views.

Mike Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

We walked about 2 miles (3.2 km) each way along the  Widforss Trail which is a total of 5 miles (8 km) each way.

Gunnar Widforss along CA coast 1925

This trail was named after Gunnar Widforss, a Swedish/American artist who lived and painted at the Grand Canyon in the late 1930s.

On the Trail to Granduer Point by G Widforss North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona 1930s

On the Trail to Grandeur Point by Gunnar Widforss

He produced a large collection of watercolors prized for their geologic detail.

Mt Humphreys, Deva temple & Widforss point fin from Widforss trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

I try to capture that detail in a photo because I make mud when I paint.

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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.

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