North Rim Trail Sampler:

A Hiking Odyssey September 8-12, 2020 with Marjorie ‘Slim’ Woodruff

CLASS INFORMATION AND SYLLABUS time period. We’ll close our day on the ‘Walhalla’ with a stop at Point Imperial.

This class is designed to explore the more mellow side DAY 3 of the Grand Canyon: the isolated North Rim. We Today we will hike the Widforss Trail. For a will take full advantage of the myriad of ecosystems total of 10 miles, we will hike through old- demonstrated by this high elevation ‘sky island’. growth Ponderosa and mixed-conifer forest, During our time together we will discuss geology, giving us an opportunity to discuss the role of human history, the various ‘life zones’ found at Grand fire in the forest ecosystem. There are Canyon, the role of fire in the forest ecosystem, and numerous viewpoints along the way. We’ll much more. have our lunch at lofty Widforss Point.

DAY 1 DAY 4 Meet at the North Rim Campground Kiosk at We head westwards to the Rainbow Rim and 9:00 a.m. (MST). The morning is devoted to the Rainbow Trail. We’ll carpool on paved setting up camp (for those who did not do so and well-graded gravel roads approx. 15 miles. the night before), class overview, and The Rainbow Trail hugs the edge of the orientation. The North Rim Campground has canyon where the Kaibab National Forest and picnic tables, bathrooms, running water, a Grand Canyon NP meet. The views are small camper’s store and a coin operated expansive to Steamboat Mountain, Tapeats shower and laundry service. After lunch, we Amphitheatre, and across the canyon to the shall explore the Transept Trail (1.5 miles) Great Thumb. and Bright Angel Point (.5 miles). We shall visit and explore the historic North Rim DAY 5 Lodge, then return via the Bridle Path (1 mile) Today is our big day; we will hike down the to our campsite for socializing around the North Kaibab Trail. Depending on group camp fire. interests and

desires, we will either do a 4 mile round-trip DAY 2 hike to Supai Tunnel or a 6 mile round-trip Today we will carpool to the Cape Final hike to the trailhead and hike 2 miles to an isolated Redwall Bridge. The trail to Supai Tunnel viewpoint. Named by Clarence Dutton as drops about 1500 feet and the Redwall Bridge “the most interesting spot on the Kaibab”, it about 2100 feet. This trail drops steeply boasts sweeping views including the Little through the sculptured rocks of the Canyon, Colorado River and the Eastern portion of giving us more than ample opportunities to the Grand Canyon. While in the area, we will discuss geology. walk an easy mile to Angel’s Window and the

Cape Final viewpoint. We will add to our SPECIAL GEAR REQUIREMENTS: discussion of the human history with a short This trip is scheduled during the autumn ‘dry’ hike to Cliff Springs and to Walhalla Glades; season, however you should still be prepared both sites of importance during the Puebloan for rain. Itinerary may change according to high winds, lightning danger, and trail or road RECOMMENDED READING closures due to forest fires. If you opt to camp for free at the North Rim Anderson, Michael F. Living at the Edge: Campground, you will need to bring all your Explorers, Exploiters and Settlers of the Grand own camping equipment. North Rim Canyon Region. Campground has picnic tables, running water, and shower/laundry facilities (fee). Coder, Christopher M. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Prehistory. ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR Pocket Naturalist Field Guide to the Grand Canyon. Marjorie 'Slim' Woodruff, Ph.D., was born in Arizona. Growing up in primeval desert, Price, Greer. An Introduction to Grand Canyon she became comfortable with things that Geology. crawl, sting, bite, and gnaw, which served her well when she started working with Ranney, Wayne. Carving Grand Canyon. adolescents. Sadler, Christa. Life in Stone. At Northern Arizona University, she spent much of her free time exploring the Grand Thayer, David. An Introduction to Grand Canyon Canyon. After graduation she lead Fossils. backpacking trips, taught cross-country skiing, drove a tour bus, and otherwise participated Whitney, Stephen R. A Field Guide to the in outdoor education and recreation. Grand Canyon. In her spare time she achieved a PhD in Computer Based Education. Slim is a These books and other interpretive aids can technology coach at the Grand Canyon be purchased at Grand Canyon Conservancy school, and maintains several websites. bookstores on the north and south rims, online at www.grandcanyon.org, or by calling She still spends as much time as possible 800-858-2808. GCC members receive a 15% exploring the Grand Canyon, having found discount. that no matter how many times one visits the Canyon, there is always something new going on.