Trail Running in March – Flagstaff Altitudes

The warm and dry winter continued into March with some extraordinary high temperature records all across the west in the latter part of the month. Consequently, we were able to run in Flagstaff on dry trails as well as in Sedona. In fact, it was so warm in Sedona on some of these runs that we started our runs earlier in the morning to avoid the heat. Cooler temperatures and rain finally arrived on the last day of the month.

Earls Loop

This is mostly an out-and-back with a loop at the far end (“lollipop loop”) and is not a well-known trail. That’s because the trail does not appear on modern maps. It still gets some regular traffic from hikers, runners, and mountain bikers (even though some of it traverses a wilderness area).

Water-worn channels in the sandstone of Dry Creek.

Posing at the far point of the Earl's Loop trail. — Posing at the far point of the Earl’s Loop trail.

Wildflowers on the Earl's Loop Trail. — Wildflowers on the Earl’s Loop Trail.

Rabbit Ears–VOC Loop–Little Rock

It was a cold and blustery day–probably the only really chilly day in the month–for this run.

Running across sandstone towards Courthouse Butte on the VOC Trail.

Carroll Canyon Trails

The Sedona Trail Running group organized this run using regular trails, social trails, and things that weren’t trails. Sure was fun.

Part of the charm of this run was going off trail and traveling up the canyon.

A runner on Old Post Trail with Cathedral Rock in the distance.

Small water droplets could be found on grasses and flowers on this morning.

Stirrup–Saddle Up–Stirrup–Lasso/Axis–Girdner–Roundabout

This is a loop that uses many of the trails on the west side of town.

An early start means you get to see hot air balloons above the red rocks of Sedona.

Space Loops

Warm and dry weather allowed us to run these trails in Flagstaff—at a time of year where there would normally be snow on some of these. This loop combines Orbit–Apollo–Dipper–Spacewalk–Big Bang–Afterglow–Schultz.

There's a rope swing on this loop. — There’s a rope swing on this loop.

The seat of the swing is adorned with a space theme.

Schultz Creek Trail

The middle section of this trail was still muddy and there was probably snow at the upper end so we turned around earlier than planned. Still, it was fun day.

A re-route a few years ago brings you close to some very large ponderosa pines.

Hangover Trail

The forecast was for very warm temperatures so we got an early start. This worked out well as we stayed in the shadow of the ridges for much of the run. But the last mile or two was warm and we were glad when it was done.

View from the parking lot of the early morning sun illuminating the red rocks.

The ascent on Munds Wagon Trail--and in the shade. — The ascent on Munds Wagon Trail–and in the shade.

Panorama from the beginning of the Cow Pies connector to Hangover Trail.

At the saddle--and high point--of Hangover Trail. — At the saddle–and high point–of Hangover Trail.

Panorama from the saddle of Hangover Trail.

Sunset-Broadside-Sunset

Forest Service crews had recently gone through these trails removing winter treefall. Good thing–there were lots of trees that had fallen across the trail.

Schultz Tank. Not much water but better than it was in the fall.

Upper Oldham

Being able to run this trail in March is almost unprecedented. There was one tiny patch of snow at the top and dry otherwise.

Rounding the corner and ascending Oldham Trail.

There was a lot Oregon Grape in bloom along the trail.

One small patch of snow on the upper end of Oldham Trail.

The intersection of Oldham and Sunset Trails--and our turnaround point. — The intersection of Oldham and Sunset Trails–and our turnaround point.

Descending on the well-constructed switchbacks on Oldham Trail.

Wet Beaver Creek

The previous run on Oldham had caused some issues in my calf so we decided to walk on this group run. I had fun photographing the wildflowers and the water in the creek. Nice consolation prize!

A butterfly (checkered white butterfly) and yellow flower.

A hoverfly, also known as a flower fly or syrphid fly, foraging on a vibrant purple flower.

The good news is that we had some rainfall on the first day of April and the medium-to-long-range forecast looks better than March for precipitation.