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| My most-loved spots in the North Kaibab Forest, AZ |
This post has been tough to write. It’s is mostly for me - to help me grieve. The little hearts on the map (a portion of the Dragon Bravo Fire Map from Watch Duty) correspond to some favorite spots, lost in the fire.
When the forest re-opens, likely next season, I’ll get out
and do some “after” shots. That’ll be yet
another step in processing the loss.
Forest Road 6548
I was just there in June.
There was a carpet of lupines starting among the big ponderosa trunks
and I swore I’d get back to photograph the blooms in July. This place had the best shade among the tall
trees on hot days.
Forest Road 213
One of my favorite magic forest spots, complete with an
s-curve and lovely mixed forest.
Aspen Island
We made the name up, after finding this spot perusing
satellite maps. Last June we camped in a
slightly different spot. We liked it
better and assumed we’d have a chance to camp there again. The Arizona Trail snaked through a meadow
below us and afforded lots of hiking options.
Some of the best foregrounds on the East Rim were here, and
I never saw another camper.
611P
There was shade and a great view over Marble Canyon
here. I shot my favorite “bowbanger”
(rainbow with lightning) image from this spot.
The Big Meadows
There were more than one, of course. The one on the map was my favorite,
stretching in several directions and harboring tiny vinca flowers, the first to
bloom in the early summer.
Forest Road 6452A
This camp was close to the road and well known. Still there was the sense of being on the
edge of the canyon and in your own world.
There was great access to the Arizona trail and meadows.
Forest Road 612
I first found this area in a rainstorm. I was looking for a quiet, sheltered place
with a friend. I came back many times. There
were great campsites and particularly lovely aspen groves, as well as Meadow
access. The road was just bad enough to scare
most people away but not bad enough to deter us. I remember a hailstorm one morning with great joy.
Marble Viewpoint
There’s no secret here.
The place is sentimental, since it’s where Pete Ensenberger first introduced
me to the Kaibab Forest Viewpoints.
Famously one of the windiest places on the plateau, there’s a vast expanse
of wind-pruned plants, including a famous and much-photographed tree. If you
could tuck into the trees for shelter, it was a great spot.
The home of the Saddle Mountain and Nankoweep trailheads,
this spot afforded great views of incoming storms and inversions. I always felt I had unfinished business
there.
I had unfinished business throughout the East Side Forest.
I’ll try to love what this place becomes as it recovers, and
to be grateful for all the time I enjoyed before the fire.
