Adventures in Trail Running Sycamore Rim

10 NATRA runners once again enjoyed the Sycamore Rim trail to themselves! Knowing we would be running along lush pools of water, Bob the dog whined with excitement all the way on the short 30 minute drive to to the trail head. Before heading out was scared a herd of 30 deer who had been enjoying a nearby drink. We eventually made it to the wilderness overlook, well all except for Neil who had his leg impaled by a stationary Ponderosa. On the return, the greatest threat to our safety were hummingbirds zipping through the forest in search of red flowers! As dry as it has been, the Sycamore Trail had lot of wildflowers and was lush with water. By the end of our 7.5 mile jaunt, we again had the ceremonial gathering around Dow Spring where we re-hydrated with the purest, coldest spring water around! And no rattlesnakes protecting the spring this time!

 We found wild irises along the edge of the water

 Several photographed this cactus in bloom

 Returning from the overlook

The ceremonial re-hydration stop

Railroad Springs Run and Color Vibe

A fine showing of Ten runners and Webster, the dog considering the run was up against Color Vibe which even got the attention of Neil, but more on that later. The gang climbed the steep urban trail onto Observatory Mesa today. Last winter, this trail was so icy, we decided to take a southern route down to the railroad rather than our usual route that would have risked mayhem going back on the urban trail. So, we reprised the southern route on a very beautiful and warm morning.

Returning to the parking lot, we noticed several six-packs of beer can debris from last night's ball games. Bruce found enough beer in them for at least three tepid ones, but there were no takers. So we went to the Kickstand instead. (Thanks to Bruce Higgins for the blog and Betsy Mennell for the photos!)

In the meantime Neil was out plugging the Flagstaff Racing Calendar in front of nearly 2000 participants at the Color Vibe Run at Findlay Honda. Getting in the middle of the colorful craziness to shoot some video, Neil's NATRA fleece and cap were covered in every shade of pink, yellow, and blue powder!  It looked like everyone had a fabulous time, and we will hopefully lure some of these runners out to the events this summer!

Snowy Arizona Trail Adventures

Today's predicted weather did not disappoint and 4 NATRA runners (not including 2 nameless runners from the same family who joined us in spirit and then were later busted at Wildflower) enjoyed running 5 miles on the Arizona Trail all alone.

Once the rain turned over to snow we really started heating up and had thoughts of heading all the way to Mexico. At the turn around overlook we could barely see over the edge into Walnut Canyon and wondered if it really existed.

 

Where is Walnut Canyon?

 

Robert heading down into the canyon

On the return out of the canyon the snow blinded us at times. Back at the trail head about an inch had covered the cars and we made our mark. However, both Bruce and Neil in their haste to get warm and dry, both dropped their keys and wondered how they'd ever make it back to civilization. Luckily, they retraced their missteps in the parking lot and found both sets.

Samantha powers through the blinding snow

 The gang on the final approach

The biggest challenge of the day lay ahead - finding parking at Wildflower. As a result, we had to walk at least a few hundred yards further in the blinding snow.    

 The mark of NATRA

Breaking Bad Kicks on Route 66

 Robert, Samantha, and Dale get their NATRA kicks on Route 66.

The Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association got their kicks on Route 66, just north of the Welch exit off I-40, west of Williams, Arizona. We ran west down the 1931 paved alignment and trudged up the 1921 dirt road. At the west turnaround spot we stopped very quickly to get our "Breaking Bad" group photo. After the long slow uphill return where we retraced the steps of the runners who participated in the 1928 Great American Foot Race, we recovered at Cafe 326 in Williams where we got our caffeine kick alongside the last segment of Route 66 bypassed in 1985. To learn more about the 1928 Great American Footrace, read the Arizona Daily Run recap of our 2012 run and some interesting videos at Flagstaff Trail Running .

Running westward on the 1931 abandoned paved alignment.

 

The gang in the "Breaking Bad" shot. 

 

Heading east up the original 1921 Old Trails Highway.

 Mountain Biking loop carsonite post in place for nearly 25 years.

 

Cafe 326 on Historic Route 66 in Williams.

Picture Canyon Plunge Run...NOT!

14 runners braved the cinders and wind and ran back in time 1000 years ago to Picture Canyon. About half the group had never been to the canyon before so again we monitored the petroglyphs along the canyon wall. We also discussed NATRA's role in cleaning up and acquiring Picture Canyon.  A slight trail detour had us a bit confused, but luckily Bruce knew the way. After the tough cindery uphill return, we all reconvened at Wildflower.

 Tony runs by the new Picture Canyon interpretive sign.

 Monitoring the petroglyphs.

 Bridge of River Picture.

 NATRA on the edge.

 Abe contemplates the NATRA plunge...NOT.

Wildflower post-run gathering.

Why? Why Not? Trail Running and Open Spaces

 City Council's Celia Barotz updates NATRA on open space issues.

(Thanks to Bruce for the post with a few additions in italics from the "leader.") A dozen runners and several pooches managed the Ft Valley Trails maze today without a hitch, despite our leader's absence!

During our stretches, we began with a little pep talk from Celia Barotz about open space, the "Y" issue, community engagement, making your voice count about local issues (especially by voting in the next City Council elections) and then headed out. For more information about the history of the "Y", read the Arizona Daily Sun's article from last year. Annika was especially exuberant on this beautiful mountain morning, apparently unaware that she will be 11 (66 in dog years) on Monday.

At the Moto junction, three headed up toward the Az Trail, while the others ran down to the Ft Valley trailhead. The latter group split up on the way back (on purpose!), with three electing to add another three miles up to the pipeline, while the others tried out the Flue Trail.

Nearly everyone had several additional activities to do today, so we skipped coffee, no doubt suppressing the usual economic ripple NATRA is responsible on Saturdays in Flagstaff

 Bruce leads the charge across the  "Y" parcel.

 Anikka's exuberance always gives Mackenzie and extra workout!

Open Space preserved!

Mobbing Wet Beaver Creek

Eleven runners made their way to the last Beaver Creek run of the season. They ran into a mob of more than 30 hikers so they quickly did introductions and charged out ahead of the hiking group. With David injured, he enjoyed the trails spectacular blooming flora. There is even anecdotal evidence that one runner braved the cold waters with a leap, but all we can really prove is that Anne waded in for a Zen moment. A few runners returned to the Campus Coffee Bean for post-run drinks and food.

Thanks to Bruce Higgins for providing the recap and to him and David Blanchard for the photos!

(David Blanchard Photo)

 (David Blanchard Photo)

 (David Blanchard Photo)