Article

Land of Medicine Buddha Loop

Enchanted Forest Loop to Eight Verses Pilgrimage Trail
5.8 miles; 2.5 hours; moderate
Dogs allowed on leash

As you walk up the driveway to LMB from the wooden bridge, enter a wide, unmarked path on your left. It begins in climbing ivy and follows a deeply-trenched, shallow stream for the first mile. There’s a bit of early clambering over fallen trunks and up a muddy slip, but the hike is gentle on the whole. If you’re feeling nimble, you can skip down into the ravine by way of one of the many steep side trails. The second track on your left descends to an 8-foot waterfall.

Under the distant redwood canopy, the trail is spacious, quiet and shaded, keeping its cool on the sunniest days. Pass slow, slithering banana slugs and light, lush sweeps of redwood sorrel (oxalis oregana) This edible plant looks similar to clover and makes a tasty, tart trail snack, perfect to add to a salad or tuna sandwich (but don’t eat too much the first time—relatively high levels of oxalic acid can upset some stomachs).

A mile in, cross over the creek and begin a short, undulating climb. As you round to a wide ridge, streams of sunlight slip through on a string of tattered prayer flags, bleached by the wind. A mile from the creek crossing (about an hour into the hike), an unmarked trail on the left slips into Nisene Marks State Park via the West Ridge Trail. Keep right to continue along the loop.

At the next intersection, a mile farther, stay right again. Four miles into the hike, you’ll reach a third split marked with a more vivid set of prayer flags. Turn left here to enter the Enchanted Forest. (A right takes you back to LMB, shortening the trip by about half a mile.) Just ahead is a grove scattered with flags, stacked rocks and a quixotic shrine spilling with photos, trinkets, and a trading card of sumo legend Akebono. A number of smaller memorials lie hidden in forest hollows just off the beaten path nearby.

With a final flourish, the loop drops you into the middle of the Eight Verses Pilgrimage Trail, between Verses 4 and 5. You may turn either right or left to return to the main grounds of LMB. This last, colorful stretch is lined with teak benches and follows a series of stations where you can rest and reflect upon a Buddhist verse and commentary from the Dalai Lama.

Turn right at the road to return to the retreat center. Past the Wish Fulfilling Temple, there are a series of sacred terraces with prayer wheels, chimes and a gong. You’re welcome to enter the temple if you stop by the bookstore for the key. And please: bong the gong. It’s good for you.

Garrett McAuliffe

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