A January Walk in the Forest
Posted in Around the Garden on January 6 2012, by Ann Rafalko
| Ann Rafalko is Director of Online Content. |
Can you believe this weather? I can’t imagine that it can last, and after this week’s earlier cold snap, I have vowed to take advantage of every warm day the winter of 2012 throws at me by getting outside and taking a walk. Today during lunch I took my new favorite stroll through the Forest. The walk takes just under an hour if you really dawdle and take your time to admire the winter landscape. This weather is perfect for this: just chilly enough to make the bare branches not seem out of place, and just warm enough to let me linger and admire all the interesting things in the Forest without getting frozen toes. So, I encourage you to take advantage of this unusual weather, too, and come visit the Garden this warm winter weekend. Come for the Holiday Train Show, but stay for the Forest. This is a rare gift, enjoy it!
My walk starts at Twin Lakes. The lakes–which just a week ago were busy with muskrats and ducks–are finally beginning to show signs of freezing.
Just across from Twin Lakes is the entrance to the Spicebush Trail.
The trail is marked on the left by an enormous American Beech tree that is at least 150-years old.
One of the things that keeps me amused on this walk is to pay close attention to all the life that can grow on top of a boulder.
The Spicebush Trail provides wonderful vistas of the Bronx River. The Bronx River is New York City’s only freshwater river.
Keep your eyes open for this massive red oak, which is believed to be at least 250-years old! That makes this tree older than the United States.
There aren’t many leaves left on the trees, so those that are left deserve a closer look.
Another giant tree to keep an eye out for (they’re all marked by signs along the trail) is a 90-foot tall American Elm.
You should still be able to spot splashes of vibrant green moss along the Forest’s ephemeral streams.
Admiring the architecture of tree limbs may not be for everybody, but I really enjoy it. They remind me of dancers.
The last big tree I will draw your attention to is this example of a very tall Sweetgum. It’s hard for me to say this, but Sweetgums may be my favorite trees at the Garden. I love their common name. I love their Latin name (Liquidambar styraciflua). I love their leaves. And I love that they’re thriving in the Forest when other native trees are declining.
That big Sweetgum also marks the junction of the Spicebush Trail with the Bridge Trail. Turn left and head for the River. Keep an eye out for big boulders in the trail bearing marks from retreating glaciers, and for many tree snags that look like they could easily serve as fairy houses.
Your first glimpse of the Bronx River will appear soon.
Stop and admire the graceful Hester Bridge (which some might remember from the opening credits of Sesame Street long, long ago).
I also recommend that you take a (very) short detour and walk out to the middle of the bridge. If you have brought a camera with you, this is one of the Garden’s many “must snap” vistas. I mean, where else are you going to get a picture of a waterfall in New York City?
Turn around and head back to the Bridge Trail, turn right, and walk along the ridge overlooking the river. While the Bronx River is beautiful, I also enjoy the ridge on the left where plants growing in the cracks of rocks create a multitude of naturally-formed still lifes.
This ridge is also home to a varied and healthy moss and lichen population.
Today the Bronx River Waterfall had caught a deflated blue balloon in its current. Detritus in the river is a big problem. Please remember to place any trash you might have in the proper bins, or carry it out with you.
After admiring the Waterfall, I retrace my steps back to the big Sweetgum tree and follow the Bridge Trail toward the Azalea Garden, the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden, the Visitor Center, and the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Along the way, I always stop to take pictures at the Forest Picture Post. The Picture Post has directions to take nine pictures.
Why? It is all part of a phenology program run by the University of New Hampshire. By collecting panoramas from one location over time, scientists hope to study how plants and ecosystems change, and to possibly draw conclusions about the effects of climate change.
So get out there and take a walk! Enjoy this odd weather, and if you visit the Forest and see something amazing, mystifying, or just downright pretty, add it to our Trail Book. I would love to hear what your favorite walk at the Garden is, or even what your favorite walk is in New York City. What makes a good walk in your opinion?
