Trail Running–December 2025

It has been warm and dry this month and this has allowed us to continue doing trail runs in Flagstaff and Sedona. Here are a few photographs from these runs.

Long Canyon

A side trip while running Long Canyon in Sedona provides a great view of the red rocks.
A side trip while running Long Canyon in Sedona provides a great view of the red rocks.
This tinaja (pool) hidden away in Long Canyon makes a good destination.
This tinaja (pool) hidden away in Long Canyon makes a good destination.
End of the trail in Long Canyon--the sign says so.
End of the trail in Long Canyon–the sign says so.

Fort Tuthill

It was interesting that the snow had melted everywhere except the trail.

Snow on Soldiers Trail, Fort Tuthill.
Snow on Soldiers Trail, Fort Tuthill.
Footprints in the snow, Soldiers Trail at Fort Tuthill.
Footprints in the snow, Soldiers Trail at Fort Tuthill.

Wet Beaver Creek

This trail a favorite of our running group. The turnaround is at this deep pool.

A deep pool marks the turnaround point for our run along Wet Beaver Creek.
A deep pool marks the turnaround point for our run along Wet Beaver Creek.
A sandstone bench makes for an interesting section on the Bell Trail along Wet Beaver Creek.
A sandstone bench makes for an interesting section on the Bell Trail along Wet Beaver Creek.

Templeton Trail–Easy Breezy Trail

An early morning start was chilly but it warmed up quickly on this run.

Cathedral Rock looms in the distance along this section of Templeton Trail.
Cathedral Rock looms in the distance along this section of Templeton Trail.
Cathedral Rock and the intersection of Templeton -- Easy Breezy -- and Hardline Trails.
Cathedral Rock and the intersection of Templeton — Easy Breezy — and Hardline Trails.
The return on this loop was on Easy Breezy Trail.
The return on this loop was on Easy Breezy Trail.

Teacup Trail

We don’t do this often because parking is difficult much of the year. But we got lucky on this day.

Teacup Trail with Coffee Pot Rock in the background.
Teacup Trail with Coffee Pot Rock in the background.

Oldham–Down Under

We did this earlier this fall and wanted to do it again. Mud, snow and ice made it tricky.

Down Under Trail (formally known as Red Onion) where it crosses Elden Lookout Road.
Down Under Trail (formally known as Red Onion) where it crosses Elden Lookout Road.
Too much mud and snow here--so we turned around.
Too much mud and snow here–so we turned around.

Huckaby Trail

Another trail run with a cold start but a warm finish.

Two runners make the climb from the canyon floor to the ridge above on the Huckaby Trail.
Two runners make the climb from the canyon floor to the ridge above on the Huckaby Trail.
A view from the high point on Huckaby Trail looking back at Midgley Bridge--the turnaround point for this run.
A view from the high point on Huckaby Trail looking back at Midgley Bridge–the turnaround point for this run.

Schultz Creek Trail

The first two miles were fine with just a few muddy spots. After that we encountered patches of ice and snow — so we did the return on Schultz Pass Road.

Patches of ice on Schultz Creek Trail. Not a problem running up--but not something we wanted to do running down.
Patches of ice on Schultz Creek Trail. Not a problem running up–but not something we wanted to do running down.

Morning Sun in Sedona

Last week we were in Sedona at the Huckaby Trailhead getting ready for a trail run. For just a few minutes, the clouds in the east opened up and allowed this spot of sunlight to hit the red rocks of Sedona. The rocks seen here are Steamboat Rock in the lower foreground and The Sail in the middle ground. In the distance is Wilson Mountain.

A brief moment of sunlight illuminates Steamboat Rock and The Sail in Sedona.
A brief moment of sunlight illuminates Steamboat Rock and The Sail in Sedona.

And a moment later the light was gone.