Category: Running

Trail Run in Kelly Canyon

A few days ago we did a trail run down Kelly Pocket to the confluence with Pumphouse Wash. This is about 6 miles round trip. We started from the upper end and ran downhill to the confluence then turned around and ran back up to our starting point. It was interesting that my running times were about 1 minute per mile faster on the uphill.

Water flows through erorded channels in the sandstone in Kelly Canyon.
Water flows through erorded channels in the sandstone in Kelly Canyon.
Trees and sky are reflected in the narrow and shallow pool.
Trees and sky are reflected in the narrow and shallow pool.
A shallow pool in Kelly Canyon.
A shallow pool in Kelly Canyon.
Several larger pools can be found at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash
Several larger pools can be found at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash

We stopped to take some photos (maybe that was why the downhill was slower) of the canyon. It was nice to see that there remained some water in several pools and these were very pretty in the morning light.

The trail in Kelly Canyon.
The trail in Kelly Canyon.
This used to be a fun ramp for mountain bikes up and over the downed tree. But time has taken its toll and both the ramp and tree .
This used to be a fun ramp for mountain bikes up and over the downed tree. But time has taken its toll and both the ramp and tree .

In just a few more weeks the leaves will be changing color and this small canyon will be worth another visit.

 

Run, Bike, Ski

It’s great that one can do all three of these in the winter. Ski in Flagstaff; run and mountain bike in the deserts. We have done all three this winter with the emphasis on running. Here are a collection of photos from this winter.

Group of runners stand around pools of water (01/20/2024).
Group of runners stand around pools of water (01/20/2024).
X-C skiing at Fort Tuthill (02/09/2024).
X-C skiing at Fort Tuthill (02/09/2024).
X-C skiing at Fort Tuthill (02/09/2024).
X-C skiing at Fort Tuthill (02/09/2024).
Trail run on Sketch Trail, Sedona (02/13/2024).
Trail run on Sketch Trail, Sedona (02/13/2024).
Snowy run on Schultz Pass Road (02/15/2024).
Snowy run on Schultz Pass Road (02/15/2024).
Trail run on Margs Draw, Sedona (02/17/2024).
Trail run on Margs Draw, Sedona (02/17/2024).
Mountain biking on Little Rock Trail, Sedona (02/20/2024).
Mountain biking on Little Rock Trail, Sedona (02/20/2024).
Trail run on Lower Chimney Trail, Flagstaff (02/22/2024).
Trail run on Lower Chimney Trail, Flagstaff (02/22/2024).
Trail run on Woods Canyon Trail, Sedona (03/02/2024).
Trail run on Woods Canyon Trail, Sedona (03/02/2024).
Trail run on Woods Canyon Trail, Sedona (03/02/2024).
Trail run on Woods Canyon Trail, Sedona (03/02/2024).

Bonus photo from last year’s epic winter. Yeah, untracked powder!

Preparing to descend Flying Dutchman chute, Mt. Humphreys (01/18/2023).
Preparing to descend Flying Dutchman chute, Mt. Humphreys (01/18/2023).

 

 

Trail Run on Scheurman Mountain in Sedona

Last week we did a trail run on Scheurman Mountain using several trails to create a loop of the mountain. Along the way, the trail crosses a shallow canyon which often has running water.

Pano image of water flowing down the shallow canyon on Scheurman Mountain.
Pano image of water flowing down the shallow canyon on Scheurman Mountain.
Running on slickrock on Scheurman Mountain.
Running on slickrock on Scheurman Mountain.
GPS track of the Scheurman Mtn trail run.
GPS track of the Scheurman Mtn trail run.

With warmer temperatures it won’t be long until this running water is only a memory.

Trail Running With Snow and Ice in Sedona

January has been a very snowy month in Flagstaff. So far, 2023 is the third snowiest January–and only a few inches from being second snowiest. So we have been taking advantage of the lower elevations of Sedona and doing all of our trail runs there.

Cathedral Rock from Templeton Trail in Sedona.
Cathedral Rock from Templeton Trail in Sedona.
One of the many icy flows along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
One of the many icy flows along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
Thin ice along the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.
Thin ice along the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.

This run took us along the Baldwin, Templeton, HT, and Easy Breezy Trails. Recent rains and some snow resulted in rivulets of water running across the slickrock–except that the nights had been cold enough to freeze the water and create icy patches. Although it made for some tricky running it also produced some very photogenic scenes.

It’s always fun to combine a trail run with a bit of photography.

 

 

Snow and Ice in Sedona

A few days ago we ventured down to Sedona for a morning trail run with Northern Arizona Trail Running Association (NATRA.org). Recent rain/snow and cold temperatures resulted in slippery conditions on the sandstone slickrock with rivulets of water and ice crossing the trail. Although treacherous–and many of us took a spill or two–it was also very beautiful so see patches of snow and ice on these trails.

A frozen stream cascades down Cathedral Rock in Sedona.
A frozen stream cascades down Cathedral Rock in Sedona.
One of many frozen streams along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
One of many frozen streams along the Templeton Trail in Sedona.
Delicate ice structures in the stream alongside the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.
Delicate ice structures in the stream alongside the Easy Breezy Trail in Sedona.