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. 

Brin's Mesa Scramble

11 NATRA runners ran, walked, and mostly scrambled around the magnificent ups and downs of the Brins Mesa Loop hitting the Cibola, Soldier's Pass, and Brin's Trails all in 5.2 miles. Unlike several years back when we ran in ankle deep red sedona mud, the run was completely dry.  The steep uphill climbs made nearly all walk or crawl, however, once we topped out on Brins Mesa, the trail mellowed out and we enjoyed something that resembled running. At the trailhead we discovered Sasquatch left his calling card. We then enjoyed coffee in a new shop on Apple Avenue.  Next week Mountainaire Run! Check natra.org for details!

 Running along the edge of a sinkhole

 Anne contemplates a chilly dip at the the 7 pools

 David reaches the top of the big climb

 Cruising along the top of Brins Mesa

 Sasquatch leaves his calling card

 We were thrilled to meet this European tourist!

 Enjoying the post-run coffee

Observatory Mesa Celebration:Slip Sliding Away

20 NATRA runners and 5 dogs slipped slided away as they headed up to run on some of the lands recently purchased by the City of Flagstaff. With no major injuries at the top of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System, we decided to go off the south facing side of the mesa which was completely clear of snow and ice! We encountered two trains that blew their horns when they saw us running alongside. Sorry Railroad Springs neighborhood! As we entered the Old Town, our group dog size doubled with the neighborhood pack wanting to join us. Once back, our 6 mile loop felt like ten, and NATRA packed Flagstaff's latest coffee shop, Flag Buzz, owned by none other than NATRA's Tony Mangine.

Taking on a train near Railroad Springs.

 The treacherous icy trails couldn't stop NATRA!

We warmed up in the cozy back room at Flag Buzz. 

Happy New Year's Day Run 2014

18 NATRA runners rang in the New Year with a 6 mile run up the somewhat icy Karen Cooper section of the Flagstaff Urban Trails System up to Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy returning down the ice free trail along 180. Many took part in the post run Kahlua/Kauai Coffee at Neil's.

So far favorite quote of the year from Robert, our first Soulstice Mountain Trail Run registrant of the year, "Signing up online for Soulstice was simpler than registering for the Affordable Health Care Act - 20 seconds and done!"   Happy New Year to all!

Aeries-Cockscomb: A long 5.7!

10 NATRA runners closed out 2013 in grand style on the 5.7 miles of Aeries Cockscomb trail. To avoid the shadows we ran clockwise, this however did not help keeping this from feeling more like a 10 mile run. 50+ Saturday group runs, 600+ participant days, about 7 miles per run = 4000+ NATRA miles on the trails of Northern Arizona! Happy Trails to 2013 and stay tuned for the line up of runs on natra.org. Next week we will celebrate the City of Flagstaff's purchase of State Trust Lands on Observatory Mesa by heading up the Urban Trail from the Thorpe Bark Park at 9 AM!

 Kathy Leads the way!

 David makes sure everyone knows to turn left at the end

Heading out clockwise. 

 Anne at the halfway point

Beautiful views of red rock country

 Sweeping vistas of the Verde Valley and Jerome on the west side of Doe Mountain

Only Flagstaff runners sit outside in the chilly of early morning winter in Sedona! 

Christmas Day 2013

No better place to celebrate running on Christmas than in Buffalo Park with NATRA!  On a blustery xmas morning, eight runners did 1.5 to 2 loops (3-4 miles) around the park before heading home to celebrate with their families. On the hill, runners spotted a very frosty NATRA member who seemed content to spend the rest of his life in Buffalo Park!  Happy Holidays to all!