Trekking the Widforss Trail
Grand Canyon Lodge - North Rim Moon Set (1)
North Rim Canyon View at Full Moon (2)
Transept Canyon view from Lodge (3)
Grand Canyon Wildflowers! (4)
Sunrise Silhouette (5)
Trekking the Widforss Trail (6)
Canyon view from the Widforss Trail (7)
The Transept Canyon (8)
Aggressive Blue Grouse on the attack! (9)
Termite Trail Map! (10)
Aspen stand along the trail. (11)
Lone Tree on canyon spire. (12)
Trails end! (13)
View of Isis Temple and Cheops Pyramid Canyon from trails end. (14)
Canyon View from Widforss Point (15)
Heading back to the Lodge (16)
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Happy Trekkers (17) |
Summer has arrived in Phoenix with the temps already reaching 106° so we took a look at our newly acquired Hiking Guide to seek out some relieve from the heat! The "summer" section of the guide features high altitude hikes across the state - locations that will definitely be cooler than Phoenix Valley.
The one that caught my eye was hike number 38 - the Widforss Trail located on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The author of the book mentioned that of the 52 hikes featured, this one might well be the best! We were sold and promptly made reservations at the Grand Canyon Lodge!
Or, at least we thought we'd made reservations! When we arrived to check into our cabin, the reservations clerk pointed out that instead of two nights checking in on June 2nd, our reservation read one night checking in on June 3rd! Oh oh! We didn't bring our camping gear! "Can you help us out young lady?"
We did, however, have dinner reservations at the lodge's dining room for both nights! Which, by the way, if you do stay at the Grand Canyon Lodge, be sure to make dinner reservations. If you don't, be prepared to dine after 9:15 pm each night.
Much to our delight, the Lodge did find accommodations for us in a handicapped accessible cabin, which seemed appropriate as both Terry and I have become mentally handicapped! Can't remember where we put stuff. Make reservations for dinner for two nights…but room reservations for a single night! Welcome to Geezerhood Mr. and Mrs. Bink!
It seems that every journey must have it's challenges. On our last trek to Shenandoah, our rental car got towed! This time…a reservations malfunction!
June 3, 2015 - In anxious anticipation of our morning trek, I am awake 4:15am. Terry's still sawing zzz's so I grab my camera and tripod to go shoot the sunrise. It's 38° outside, not a cloud in the sky and already getting light.
The Canyon takes on a whole new look in the early morning hours. First of all, there's hardly anybody else up at that hour so finding a spot to take a shot is easy! Not so much at sunset when pretty much every inch of the rim is crowded with smartphone toting folks snapping selfies.
After an hour photo session, I head back to the cabin and find Terry ready to trek the trails! After scarfing a hearty breakfast of sausage and egg burrito and chocolate muffin, we're off to the trailhead located 4 miles north of the Lodge. The trailhead turnoff is well marked and leads you to a gravel road. The mile long access road is in good condition so you won't need 4-wheel drive to reach the trailhead!
The hike measures 10-miles round trip - 5 miles out…5 miles back. It's rating is moderate and in terms of elevation change, the Guide says the hike has very little "elevation gain." This is true. There are several "small" elevation gains (and losses) along the trail…however, you will be hiking at 8000'. The air is a wee bit thinner than the Valley Floor. Thin air and 64 year old lungs can make hiking this moderately rated trail a breathtaking experience!
Another motive for choosing this hike was the name of the guy for whom the trail is named. Gunnar Widforss was an artist who painted landscapes in the National Parks in the 20's and 30's. While living at the Grand Canyon in the 30's, Gunnar produced a large collection of watercolors capturing the Canyon's geologic detail. Why did this guy's name appeal to me? My middle name is Gunnar! Hence, we had to hike this trail!
At the trailhead, there is a metal box containing a Trail Guide. Take one…and leave a donation! Along the first 2 1/2 miles of the trail, there are 14 numbered stops all of which will depict points of interest as you stroll along the rim of the Canyon.
The ten-mile trek takes most people 4 to 6 hours to complete. Most of the trail is shaded as you walk through a forest of pine, fir, spruce and aspen. Unlike the North Kaibab Trail which has several water stops and potties along the route, the Widforss Trail has no drinking water or restrooms so be sure to bring plenty of water with you. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead!
Sign Post #5 in the Trail Guide is called Peak View. Take a close look at picture (7) above. In the distance, through the haze you will notice mountains called the San Francisco Peaks. The highest of these volcanic peaks is Mt. Humphries, the tallest mountain in Arizona at 12, 670'. Years ago, it was possible to see the trees on the slopes of these mountains. Today, however, long-range visibility is impaired as urban and industrial pollutants fill the skies!
The first section of the trail parallels the Transept Canyon, one of the regions many tributary canyons. Along the route, you may see a wide variety of wildlife. On our trek, we happened to see a rare sighting of the Kaibab Squirrel. This shy creature native only to this region, is identifiable by its pointy tufted ears and its bushy silver-white tail that seemed to glow. We also encountered a dozen white tailed deer, several other squirrels, and a variety of birds.
One such bird we encountered at Sign Post #9 was a very aggressive female Blue Grouse. (see picture #9 above) At the trailhead, there is a sign posted warning hikers about this bird. She has a nest very close to the trail…and she does all she can to keep hikers from intruding upon her territory. Trust me, she is not afraid of you and came very close to pecking a piece of my lower calf! Terry had to use her hiking sticks to fend off this feisty feathered female! If you encounter this grouchy Grouse, hike well around her stomping grounds!
At Sign Post #10, you'll find the largest Ponderosa Pine along the trail measuring nearly 13 feet in diameter. This tree is probably 300-500 years old and still stands today because it sits on the protected lands of the National Parks!
Once you've visited all 14 Sign Posts, the trail leaves the canyon rim and heads into a lush valley. Along this section of the trail, you'll hike amongst groves of aspen, quietly quaking in the gentle breezes. Ferns and tall grasses line the trail as you make your way to WidForss Point. (picture 13)
Find a comfortable spot and take in the view! Here, Terry and I enjoyed our picnic lunch and soaked in the sights. You'll be able to see the Isis Temple and the Cheops Pyramid from this vantage point along with the grandeur that makes up this fantastic canyon!
Happy Trails!
