Life's a Beach in Sandy Seep!

Ten intrepid runners took on Sandy Seep (aka Rhiannon Wood's favorite run) during today's Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association Saturday outing. This is the section of Arizona Trail NATRA are the stewards for so it was time to do a monitoring run.

Battling the north head wind on the way out, we figured it would be nice to have the tail wind on the end of the run. Most of us were stopped in our tracks by the time we turned up hill towards the Christmas Tree Trail junction. The head wind and steep sandy trail made walking more efficient than running!

Once we ran across the beach like Sandy Seep, we then encountered the remarkable effects of post-Schultz Fire flooding from last years epic flooding.

 On the return trip, it seemed as though wind played a nasty trick and turned on us. Our much anticipated tail wind once again gone. We were aided by a nice downward pitch for the last 1/2 mile and the wind gave us a break. We recovered and warmed up at Flag Buzz wondering how all of our sand blasted friends might be doing out at the SP Crater races!

Magical Mescal Mystery Tour

The charge out of the Boynton Canyon Trailhead

 

7 Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association runners circumnavigated 5.2 miles around Mescal Mountain. Despite the overnight heavy rains, the trail was slick in only a few places, and the light rain kept us from overheating! Bruce the botanical tour guide gave us lots of breaks and pointed out many of the fragrant flowering plants. The back side of Mescal Mountain gave us an appreciation for Sedona's "slick rock", with several runners nearly biting the red mud. Armed with her I-phone, Localeikki founder Tracy McMillan said she had never taken so many photographs on a run. If you haven't heard of Locoleikki, check it out at http://www.localeikki.com/destination/index and download the ap so you can find this and many other great NATRA runs! You can also check them out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/localeikki.





Bruce, David, and Matt lead the way 

 

 Localeikki founder Tracy McMillan enjoying Mescal Trail

  

 David nears the first high point

 Samantha and Tracy wonder if they should take the high or low road

 Nothing beats running on "slick rock"

The home stretch

Ellie's NATRA Debut at Campbell Mesa

 

 The proud papa and mama!

14 runners, 4 dogs, and one beautiful baby Bohn ran varied courses on Campbell Mesa Trail System. Despite past rumors, today's run was free of Yetis, Rogue Pandas and Sasquatch sightings. Once we left the chilly wind tunnel at the trail head, the sun quickly warmed all. We were thrilled to have Tony back to form on the trails after a way too long hiatus!  With such a large group we had coffee and breakfast at Wildflower Bakery and enjoyed watching Tony monopolize Ellie's attention!

 Biz leads the way

 Samantha gets a little help!

 The turn onto the trail system

Ellie captivated with Tony at Wildflower Bread Company

 

NATRA finished out at the Bowl For Kids Sake Fundraiser at Starlight Lanes

Long Canyon Cross Training: Running, Scrambling, Sunbathing, Climbing, Eating

The early running part.

7 natra runners enjoyed cross training today up Long Canyon Trail. We ran, scrambled, sun bathed, and rock climbed all in search of alien life forms in Long Canyon. While we were thwarted in finding extra terrestrial life, Sedona's one and only Marj Haas treated us to an out of this world breakfast of grits, coffee, and gluten free baked goodies! Thanks Marj. You are now NATRA's official cook! 

 Shirtless in February? 

 Scrambling through Manzanita and Agave! 

Slick rocking

 Summoning extra-terrestrials

 Sun bathing

Northern Arizona Trail Climbers Association

Double the Fun - Schultz Creek/Kahtoola Agassiz Uphill

It was a picture perfect morning for 9 NATRA runners and Bob and Annaka to make tracks in the fresh powder on Schultz Creek Road. Considering that the Kahtoola Agassiz Uphill was later in the day, it was a fabulous turnout!  At the start the snow was only about an inch deep, but about 2 miles in the powder got deeper. Some made it past the Lincoln Logs with variations of 4 to 8 mile runs all around. All returned to the Kickstand to enjoy warming up.

Later in the day, NATRA team NoSnowFine rocked the Kahtoola Agassiz Uphill course and in the spirt of NATRA, Nick, Tzeidle, and David made sure no team got left behind.

The Cathedral Rock Circuit

Twelve runners and a dog met for a sojourn to one of the prettiest runs in the Red Rocks (as if there are any that are not!) An 8.3-mile circuit from Red Rock Crossing, along Buddha Beach, up and around Cathedral Rock and up the Highline Trail to the south before heading back on Baldwin presented inspiring views and burning quads on a warm January day. The three lead runners, who never stopped, thought the rest of us may have become lost, as they finished well ahead of the 2+ hours of the rest of us.

A well-earned brunch was had at Garland's.

(Thanks to Bruce Higgins for posts and photos)

#MegsMiles in Mountainaire

The group strikes a NATRA pose

 16 Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association runners ran, fell, skidded, slipped, and slid covering 80 #megsmiles around Mountainaire. We ran in support of #megsmiles, an event to memorialize and bring awareness to a mother of three who was killed by a drunk driver. Nearly 95,000 nationwide ran in support of MegsMiles. Learn more about how you can help spread awareness about runner safety by visiting MegsMiles page on Facebook. Not a Facebook user?  Visit the Running Competitor page.

Once all found their way back to the ranch at Mountainaire, many nursed their aching bruises, and all enjoyed a post-run potluck at David and Oso's packed house of goodies. Next week, Highline Trail, Sedona. Afterwards we have been invited for a potluck to Marg Haas' house off Dry Creek Road. It will be a longer day in Sedona, so bring a dish to share!

 This is the slippery section that put two runners on their butts.

This hill had everyone crawling on all fours by the top.

 Back at the McKee ranch, Stephanie voice filled the forest with her beautiful lullaby for Jen. 

 Jen and Tzeidle found a good use for Neil the hammock swayer. 

Susan and Jake help soothe Stephanie's twisted ankle.

Enjoying David's kitchen. 

David's new best friend.