Saturday, December 3, 2011
Yetis and a Rogue Panda on Campbell Mesa
During this morning's blizzard, residents along Old Walnut Canyon Road reported sightings of at least 6 yetis and even a rogue panda on the rampage, this time in the vicinity of Campbell Mesa. Eyewitnesses say the panda appeared confused, following slightly behind the yetis as though he had been left behind. Game and Fish experts believe the panda may have rabies and they are currently warning residents of Mountainaire to be extremely careful as the panda may be hibernating there. Authorities are working quickly to capture the panda - they even sent a fake post on Facebook that NATRA was offering free beer at Uptown Billiards on Sunday afternoon, assuming that is all it will take to get the rogue panda out in the open.
Eyewitnesses also swear that the 6 unfashionable yetis had brightly colored clashing outfits (though none were wearing purple), and while they were smaller than normal (according to Sabrina, 3 standard of deviations below normal) they had heavy gaits similar to those reported elsewhere. Their speed was quite slow, lumbering along at perhaps 12 to 14 minutes per mile. Later, reporters found that their tracks went for approximately 6 miles, covering the outer loop of the Campbell Mesa trail system.
A second sighting reported that the Yetis and rogue panda walked into It's About Coffee at 11 AM. As rumors spread throughout Flagstaff, inquiring minds crowded outside the coffee shop, however, they were disappointed to only count 6 scrawny, exhausted local runners walking to their snow covered vehicles. When interviewed by NPR, Arizona Daily Sun reporters, and Phoenix news crews, NATRA runners David, Susan, Bret, Neil, Sabrina, Bruce and David refused to comment on the strange early morning occurrences on Campbell Mesa.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sycamore Rim Trail - Or oh my toes!
I have waited a long time to run the Sycamore Rim Trail. I posted the run about 5 years ago, but missed out. After a near record turnout on Thursday morning's turkey day run, I wondered who would be around for this jaunt. After quickly realizing it would just be me, Sabrina and Bruce, we took the 30 minute drive to the Dow Springs Trailhead.
Honestly, I think this was one of our most spectacular runs ever. We started uneventfully enough, checking out the cool historic remains of the 1920s logging camp and railroad grade along the edge of the canyon. This is one of my favorite historic sites on the Kaibab National Forest so I got some monitoring in as well. Beautifully unchanged since I first saw it over 20 years ago.
Once we left the historic site we dropped into the head of Sycamore Canyon where we dodged frozen pools of crystal clear spring water. It was here, 13 summers ago, when on a hot sultry day of survey, one of my crew members went skinny dipping on his lunch break. No such dreams of doing so today with the icy cold waters and brisk wind blowing up the canyon.
As we climbed out of the canyon and ran along the rim, I managed to avoid all the widow maker rocks thanks to Bruce. Luckily, Bonnie stills has a husband. His nimble and acrobatic side steps kept him from stumbling off the canyon edge. I kept my distance safely behind him and did just fine. The views all the way to the Sycamore Vista were stunning and we figured it was about 4 miles. It of course felt like 5 with the jagged basalt cobbles doing their best to beat our toes to a pulp.
The return was a non-stop flight until we went searching for Dow Springs. I had dreams of filling my water bottle with icy cold water, however, the spring's output only trickled out of a pipe choked with a very unappealing iron sludge - we passed on the water. Once we made it back to the car, our knees tightened and our feet hurt - the signs of what was truly one of my favorite NATRA runs of all time. We quickly recovered at the Coffee Bean and headed off for our well deserved post-run naps.
Check out this link to an interactive map!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Oldam Trail and 30th Annual Free Flagstaff Turkey Predictor Run
To start the day a record 30 runners, 3 dogs and 1 biker made the pre-Turkey Predictor Run by completing the Oldham Trail Monday night 4.5 mile loop! As we approached the end of the run we could see waves of people getting excited fort the start of today's main event....
A record turnout for the 30th Annual Free Flagstaff Turkey Predictor Run. This Flagstaff tradition saw a three way tie for first with three participants within 3 seconds of their predicted time! Happy Thanksgiving!
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!
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