Say Their Names

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.

Dog Point

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.

Saddle Mountain Trailhead

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.