Eulogy

Enjoying the Moon Room, Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge

I was planning to tack an addendum on last month’s blog about my deep love for the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and surrounding forests.  I think I’ll offer a photo tribute instead.  I’m looking for a bit of peace for myself and perhaps others.

July 12-13, a lightning caused fire, managed as a controlled burn, got out of control and burned most of the developed area of Grand Canyon National Park’s North Rim. The finger-pointing will come soon, but for now the Dragon Bravo Fire has left many of us grieving.

Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge, 2015

The loss of the 1930s lodge has been confirmed.  Otherwise, we know that “50-80” buildings have been torched.

Lupines along the Widforss Trail

We also mourn the thrashing of most of the spectacular forest along the Widforss Trail.

More Lupines near the Transept Trail

Looking South from the Transept Trail

The beautiful scenes along the Transept Trail are unlikely to have survived.

Otherwise, the extent of the damage is not yet clear, and the fire is still uncontained.

Here are a few other places inside the park, dear to my heart.

Near Fire Point

View from Fire Point

Fire Point, which burned a few years ago, after these images were made.

Contemplating the view from Cape Final

Cape Final

The famous view from Cape Royal at dawn

Cape Royal

Mount Hayden from Point Imperial at sunrise

Point Imperial

Storm at Point Sublime

 Point Sublime

Spectacular geology from the Uncle Jim Trail

Uncle Jim and Ken Patrick Trails

From Swamp Point

Swamp point

Loss is part of life, and wildland fires are part of the wilderness, but I don’t have to like either.

Peace be with you.