Trail Running in April

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The good news was precipitation was slightly above normal in April (measured: 1.02″; normal: 0.89″) although it mostly fell as rain and not as snow (measured: 0.3″; normal: 5.0″). The moisture helped keep the trails in great shape. Only towards the end of the month did the trails start to become dusty.

Kelly Canyon

This is an out-and-back that can start from either the top or bottom of the canyon. We chose to start low because there would be water at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash and I wanted to visit it earlier in the day. Good choice.

Early morning light at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash.
Early morning light at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash.
Mid-morning light at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash.
Mid-morning light at the confluence of Kelly Canyon and Pumphouse Wash.
Some wildflowers (valerian) to gaze at as we run the canyon.
Some wildflowers (valerian) to gaze at as we run the canyon.
Running up the canyon.
Running up the canyon.
Sometimes you run; sometimes you walk.
Sometimes you run; sometimes you walk.

Woods Canyon

This run was done with the Sedona trail running group and is an out-and-back through Woods Canyon and alongside Dry Beaver Creek.

Morning dew on primrose flowers at the start of the run.
Morning dew on primrose flowers at the start of the run.
Hedgehog cactus.
Hedgehog cactus.
Penstemon.
Penstemon.
Sego Lilly.
Sego Lilly.
Runners on the return.
Runners on the return.

Fort Valley trails

A simple loop with very little elevation change. There is a theme to the trail names.

Chimney Trail.
Chimney Trail.
Flue and Damper trail intersection.
Flue and Damper trail intersection.
Flue and Chimney trail intersection.
Flue and Chimney trail intersection.

Space Loops

This is a set of trails in the Mount Elden-Dry Lakes (MEDL) area. The theme for trail names is space.

Intersection of Apollo and Orbit Trails.
Intersection of Apollo and Orbit Trails.
Intersection of Spacewalk and Pluto Trails.
Intersection of Spacewalk and Pluto Trails.
Intersection of Big Bang and Spacewalk Trails.
Intersection of Big Bang and Spacewalk Trails.
A rope swing with a space theme seat.
A rope swing with a space theme seat.
A bench in a tree on Spacewalk Trail.
A bench in a tree on Spacewalk Trail.
A runner on Spacewalk Trail.
A runner on Spacewalk Trail.
A blossoming Bitter Cherry tree along the trail.
A blossoming Bitter Cherry tree along the trail.

Schultz Creek Trail

This is probably the trail we run on the most, either as a standalone out-and-back or as a connector to many other trails in the area.

Arizona valerian wildflowers.
Arizona valerian wildflowers.
Apple blossoms along Schultz Creek Trail and just downstream of an old CCC work camp.
Apple blossoms along Schultz Creek Trail and just downstream of an old CCC work camp.
A running on Schultz Creek Trail.
A running on Schultz Creek Trail.

Old Route 66

There is a section of old Route 66 that makes a fun running loop west of Williams. The Forest Service has a nice description of this loop.

A runner on a paved section of old Route 66 (1932 alignment).
A runner on a paved section of old Route 66 (1932 alignment).
A USFS marker for the Route 66 hike/bike loop.
A USFS marker for the Route 66 hike/bike loop.
A runner on the gravel section of old Route 66 (1922 alignment).
A runner on the gravel section of old Route 66 (1922 alignment).

Brookbank Trail

Wildflowers (Wootens ragwort) along Brookbank Trail.
Wildflowers (Wootens ragwort) along Brookbank Trail.
Runners starting up Brookbank Trail.
Runners starting up Brookbank Trail.
Large boulder along Brookbank Trail.
Large boulder along Brookbank Trail.
Fleabane flowers about to unfurl.
Fleabane flowers about to unfurl.

 

As always, it’s not just about the run but the scenery.

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