The Three Trails of The Second Realm

The Second Realm within the Dorset Project is a journey of greater complexity than the other routes I’ve designed within the wilderness park, since it is where the singular route leading from the K . W I N T E R S Oval meets a fork-in-the-road at the Diana Monument. Within this sculptural earthwork the journey splits into three distinct trails, each with unique natural features, complete with a narrative that ties each to the forest animal that they are named after.

The Wolf Trail (air) ascends to the highest point on the land. Bear Trail (earth) follows a darkened valley shaded by hemlock and cedar trees, with the sound of Berley Creek cascading down waterfalls, eventually draining into The Lake of Bays and Moose trail (water) connects the various bodies of water on the property, from a meandering stream to wetlands and an elevated beaver pond and lake perched atop one of the highest points on the property.

As the Dorset Project book developed over the last five years, our initial layouts for these journeys in the Second Realm lacked a clear order. These layouts began by placing existing documentation, including photography, maps of the various routes and my charcoal drawings onto rough page outlines.  But, over time, the book evolved to align its organization with the hiker’s wilderness experience.

An example can be seen below, where we detailed the various ways Bear Trail would be experienced. After numerous visits, I noticed a back-and-forth motion in the arrangement of natural wonders along this trail which mimics the way a bear walks through the forest.

As the book’s layout progressed, pages were composed to replicate this rhythm with images and text alternating across the spread (see page layout below).

This approach to the organization and layout of the Second Realm within the book was helpful as I was also designing some of the way-finding sculptural elements at the site. This is when the final design for both the Diana Monument and the Shirley Temple, which both mark compass points on the land, were developed. It was exciting when I noticed that the book’s layout was influencing the creation of routes through the forest and vice versa.

I have included enlarged versions of the two-page spread below which details some of the natural features that exist on this trail.

All three of the trails of the Second Realm have been approached within our book in a similar way to reveal, not only the distinctive characteristics of these three keystone species, but also to instill in the reader how each is uniquely different and worthy of a walk in Muskoka to fully appreciate.

While the master plan for this project may take some time to be fully implemented, our book captures the spirit of the trails that I have designed throughout this wilderness. My photography of the site’s most compelling moments have been incorporated throughout the publication (refer to my photograph of Bertha Falls below) and while the trails to get there are still being created, this book encourages the reader to imagine their visit to the preserve some time in the future.

We are currently accepting pre-orders for the book version of The Dorset Project. A limited edition of one hundred, hardcover signed copies of this 200-page full colour book will be available in 2024. This collection of writings, photography and illustrations documents my artistic adventures over the last five years. Please email me at howard.rideout@howardrideoutarch.com should you wish to pre-order a copy.