Fisher Point Pin Ups

 

On a picture perfect morning, only five NATRA runners made it out to Fisher Point. We ran by last week's wild fire that was adjacent to the trail. While completely cold, we enjoyed the smell of the freshly burned forest floor. No doubt grasses will begin to thrive shortly.

 

As we neared the dreadful climb up to Fisher Point, I wondered if I'd be able to weenie out the ascent again but when all agreed to make the climb, I caved into peer pressure, and it was well worth the view! 

 

With Keith and Tony shedding their shirts, I again caved into peer pressure and Tzeidle took the April men of NATRA calendar pin up! 

 

With legs dragging, we all successfully made it out of Sandy Canyon completely exhausted. Thankfully Tony agreed to reenergize our day with his Seasoned Kitchen coffees where we ran into Chris and Tobin - a perfect way to start the day!

Hangover IV (In Production)

Nine NATRA runners and two dogs took on a new Forest Service system of trails in the Schnebly Hill area. This was by far the hardest 8 miles ever, feeling more like 12 miles See David Blanchard's GPS Track. Not only was it hot and dry, but the death defying narrow single track kept everyone on edge.

As we neared the slickrock saddle of the "mitten," we ran into David and Susan, who we had to thank for finding out about the run. Once into the saddle and headed down towards Schnebly Hill road, we felt like aliens had beamed us to Moab, engulfed by slickrock. The run had about 800 ft of elevation gain, yet somehow, both directions seemed uphill!  At about mile 6.5, Neil's legs gave out and he hailed a subaru cab ride back down.

This run easily had the best scenery of any Sedona trail. On the return, the tourists and jeeps had awoken, a small price to pay for another picture perfect run in Sedona. Back at the vehicles and everyone dehydrated and out of water, we returned for a nice shady break at Indian Gardens. Aly convinced Neil that dry hard apple cider was the perfect revitalizing beverage and she was spot on!  Once recovered from the heat, we returned to a blustery Flagstaff where the winds of change were bginning to blow.