Saturday, November 19, 2011
Somewhere in Kelly Canyon
10 runners set out on an overcast, damp morning into the depths of Kelly Canyon. As we headed down for quite sometime, runners knew the return would nothing but up. However the beauty of the canyon led us deeper and deeper, finally to the junction of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash, a spectacular water hole of heavily eroded sandstone. Had the sun been out, many might have taken a bath. However, we jumped onto a "trailwind" and returned to David's for Neil's Bloody Marys, Biff's bagels and some of the finest breakfast treats around.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Picture Canyon Time Line
Yesterday, November 16, David McKee and I met with Claudine, a reporter for KNAU who is doing a story on the restoration work at Picture Canyon. It gave us a chance to reminisce on the history of Picture Canyon clean up efforts and how David got NATRA involved in the project.
I first went to Picture Canyon in June 1986 when I was leading an afternoon hike with 4th and 5th graders from the Museum of Northern Arizona's Elden Pueblo archaeology camp. Working on an internship at the Museum I had heard about the petroglyphs and was intrigued with finding them. Once we did, I taught the students how to sketch the petroglyphs to scale on graph paper. The further up canyon we went, the more trash we encountered and the foul smelling sewage overwhelmed our nasal passages. I then decided I didn't want any kids having to go home needing tetanus shots, so we left the canyon.
I would not return until nearly 20 years later when my pal David McKee who worked at the City's Wildcat Waste Water Treatment plant hatched a plan to restore Picture Canyon. David told me he was seeking ways to remove the seven abandoned cars mired in the rocky twisted canyon bottom but the State Lands Department required the presence of an archaeologist to ensure that none of the archaeological features would be affected. I happily obliged to volunteer and on September 24, 2005 the challenging removal was a success thanks to Gary Lively's crane operations.
September 24, 2005: Cars Pulled from Canyon
That paved the way for NATRA to help sponsor the food for the first Picture Canyon Make A Difference Day on October 22, 2005. Since then numerous partners, volunteer clean up days, a successful National Register Nomination, and the massive meander restoration project have set forth the canyon's restoration. Very soon, runners, bikers and walkers will soon be able to follow the Flagstaff Urban Trail along the course of the Rio De Flag from Cheshire all the way through Picture Canyon.
November 28, 2009: First NATRA Run to Picture Canyon
It is a remarkable story of community partners coming together to preserve a unique ecosystem in just 6 years. Picture Canyon is still at risk, however, this effort has greatly raised awareness about this jewel of a canyon in our backyards.
June 12, 2011: Meander Restoration Celebration
For more information visit the Friends of the Rio De Flag website .
Below is a timeline of links to the extensive Arizona Daily Sun coverage about the efforts to restore Picture Canyon. I will continue to update this as the story evolves.
March 9,2002: The first clean up day.
August 10, 2004: Emerging restoration efforts.
June 22, 2005: Flag's canyon of shame.
September 25, 2005: Cars lifted from canyon.
November 30, 2005: Pithouse vandalism.
December 10, 2005: Canyon nearly picture perfect
January 18,2007: Paint ballers threaten canyon.
October 26, 2007: State historic site listing.
January 18, 2008: National Register designation.
April 16, 2008: Picture Canyon deserves support.
April 29, 2008: Picture Canyon in state trust hands.
August 25, 2009: Flagstaff Festival of Sciences.
August 19, 2010: Restoration begins .
November 2, 2011: Picture Canyon for 6 million?
November 5, 2011: State Appraisers may decide canyon's value.
February 7, 2012: Jack Welch's article about Picture Canyon hearing .
February 9, 2012 KNAU story on efforts to save Picture Canyon.
February 14, 2012 Picture Canyon hearing set for today.
February 15, 2012 Picture Canyon Supporters Crowd City Hall.
On February 14, 2012, NATRA's David McKee briefed the large City Hall audience on the partners' efforts to date (Photo Credit: Tom Bean).
March 20, 2012 Law Maker puts Picture Canyon at Risk.
March 22, 2012 SB 118 Mocks Initiative Process.
March 29, 2012 House Kills Raid on Preservation Fund
October 30, 2012 City buys Picture Canyon at Auction!!!!!! (AZ DAILY SUN)
October 30, 2012 Flagstaff Buys Picture Canyon (KNAU)
October 31, 2012 A 30 Year Dream Come True!
I first went to Picture Canyon in June 1986 when I was leading an afternoon hike with 4th and 5th graders from the Museum of Northern Arizona's Elden Pueblo archaeology camp. Working on an internship at the Museum I had heard about the petroglyphs and was intrigued with finding them. Once we did, I taught the students how to sketch the petroglyphs to scale on graph paper. The further up canyon we went, the more trash we encountered and the foul smelling sewage overwhelmed our nasal passages. I then decided I didn't want any kids having to go home needing tetanus shots, so we left the canyon.
I would not return until nearly 20 years later when my pal David McKee who worked at the City's Wildcat Waste Water Treatment plant hatched a plan to restore Picture Canyon. David told me he was seeking ways to remove the seven abandoned cars mired in the rocky twisted canyon bottom but the State Lands Department required the presence of an archaeologist to ensure that none of the archaeological features would be affected. I happily obliged to volunteer and on September 24, 2005 the challenging removal was a success thanks to Gary Lively's crane operations.
That paved the way for NATRA to help sponsor the food for the first Picture Canyon Make A Difference Day on October 22, 2005. Since then numerous partners, volunteer clean up days, a successful National Register Nomination, and the massive meander restoration project have set forth the canyon's restoration. Very soon, runners, bikers and walkers will soon be able to follow the Flagstaff Urban Trail along the course of the Rio De Flag from Cheshire all the way through Picture Canyon.
It is a remarkable story of community partners coming together to preserve a unique ecosystem in just 6 years. Picture Canyon is still at risk, however, this effort has greatly raised awareness about this jewel of a canyon in our backyards.
For more information visit the Friends of the Rio De Flag website .
Below is a timeline of links to the extensive Arizona Daily Sun coverage about the efforts to restore Picture Canyon. I will continue to update this as the story evolves.
March 9,2002: The first clean up day.
August 10, 2004: Emerging restoration efforts.
June 22, 2005: Flag's canyon of shame.
September 25, 2005: Cars lifted from canyon.
November 30, 2005: Pithouse vandalism.
December 10, 2005: Canyon nearly picture perfect
January 18,2007: Paint ballers threaten canyon.
October 26, 2007: State historic site listing.
January 18, 2008: National Register designation.
April 16, 2008: Picture Canyon deserves support.
April 29, 2008: Picture Canyon in state trust hands.
August 25, 2009: Flagstaff Festival of Sciences.
August 19, 2010: Restoration begins .
November 2, 2011: Picture Canyon for 6 million?
November 5, 2011: State Appraisers may decide canyon's value.
February 7, 2012: Jack Welch's article about Picture Canyon hearing .
February 9, 2012 KNAU story on efforts to save Picture Canyon.
February 14, 2012 Picture Canyon hearing set for today.
February 15, 2012 Picture Canyon Supporters Crowd City Hall.
On February 14, 2012, NATRA's David McKee briefed the large City Hall audience on the partners' efforts to date (Photo Credit: Tom Bean).
March 20, 2012 Law Maker puts Picture Canyon at Risk.
March 22, 2012 SB 118 Mocks Initiative Process.
March 29, 2012 House Kills Raid on Preservation Fund
City Manager Kevin Burke makes the winning (and only) bid!
Celia, David, Alicyn, McKenzie, and Neil celebrate at Zane Gray Ballroom
October 30, 2012 City buys Picture Canyon at Auction!!!!!! (AZ DAILY SUN)
October 30, 2012 Flagstaff Buys Picture Canyon (KNAU)
October 31, 2012 A 30 Year Dream Come True!
Video of Auction by John Grahame
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Flagstaff Sports Foundation 10 and 5K Runs
A great day for the inaugural Flagstaff Sports Foundation 10 and 5K Footloose Run at Forest Highlands. 66 runners, snow flurries, and lots of fun! Highlighting the race
were Team USA Arizona Olympic hopefuls Emily Harrison , Nick Arciniaga and
Brett Gotcher. They inspired runners into the finish line, signed autographs, and took photos with participants.
Watch more video of 26.2 miles to houston on flotrack.org
Brett Gotcher on training for the Olympic Trials
Watch more video of 26.2 miles to houston on flotrack.org
Nick Arciniaga on training for the Olympic Trials
This is an event you will want to make sure you race next year!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Oldham to Rocky Ridge. First snow of the year!
To celebrate the first measurable snow of the year 6 runners ran the Oldham Rocky Ridge loop. This route is difficult enough to run on any given day, but throw 6 inches of powder into the mix and this 7 mile run takes as long as the toughest 10 miler. Sure enough the temperature continued to drop throughout the run. In homage to Tim's infamous bare chested snowy run a half decade ago, Neil bared his shirt and romped down at the same spot.
His chest wasn't nearly as cold until he threw his sweat soaked fleece back on. Overall, it was not the difficult hills safely tucked away in the dense forest below Mount Elden that we feared...it was the last half mile returning through the open tundra of Buffalo Park. We all made it through however, and warmed up at the Kickstand. Thanks to Bruce, Craig, Mark, and Bret for keeping me company, and especially to Mary and Mary who broke snow for us (well at least for the start!). Winter has arrived!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Observatory Mesa Detour
NATRA turned 10 today. Exactly 520 weekends ago, 6 runners assembled at the Schultz Creek Trailhead to do a morning run. Every weekend since then (excepting race day weekends or trail days) we have hosted a group run whether rain, snow or shine.
Neil, Mackenzie, Bruce, Chris, Craig and Abe began running up the Urban Trail. Even Neil kept up, but only after Mackenzie attached Anika to his wrist. With a sudden jolt forward, Neil was running like he did 10 years ago - after all, Anika was not going to lose sight of mom. Abe kept Chris company for the entire loop as she is getting ready for next weekend's ultra marathon in Vegas. At the brown gate the rest of us decided to take the railroad loop back to Thorpe. It was a nice change of pace from the usual out and back. Afterwards we hit the Kickstand, celebrated 10 years of group runs and were impressed that Abe was still able to walk after he kept up with Chris for 10 miles!
Neil, Mackenzie, Bruce, Chris, Craig and Abe began running up the Urban Trail. Even Neil kept up, but only after Mackenzie attached Anika to his wrist. With a sudden jolt forward, Neil was running like he did 10 years ago - after all, Anika was not going to lose sight of mom. Abe kept Chris company for the entire loop as she is getting ready for next weekend's ultra marathon in Vegas. At the brown gate the rest of us decided to take the railroad loop back to Thorpe. It was a nice change of pace from the usual out and back. Afterwards we hit the Kickstand, celebrated 10 years of group runs and were impressed that Abe was still able to walk after he kept up with Chris for 10 miles!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Make A Difference Day: Rio De Flag
Thanks to David Mckee, NATRA again helped sponsor Make a Difference Day, helping restore the Rio De Flag to its natural condition. 64 volunteers collected tons of trash, NAU students recorded hundreds of petroglyphs and all enjoyed a beautiful day in Flagstaff. The Flagstaff Urban Trail will eventually pass through this reach of the Rio De Flag on its way through Picture Canyon. A great day for Flagstaff and dozens of partners who have made this restoration project possible!
Monday, October 17, 2011
Soulstice Group Shot!
Soulstice group shot by NAU Parks and Recreation Management student Emily Denison!
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