Tag: Sycamore Canyon

Trail Running in Northern Arizona

Running—especially trail running—is a big part of our lives and we try to run in interesting places. That could be running up mountains, alongside streams, through forests, and in canyons. And I try to take a camera with me when we run. As a minimum, the camera will be a phone but I prefer to take along my Sony RX100 V, a small camera with a 24-70mm  zoom lens. The camera is actually smaller than my phone (smaller length x width, but thicker) so it fits well in my water bottle waist pack.

Here is a collection of photographs taken on the trails we have run this spring in northern Arizona.

The rising sun illuminates the red rocks of Sedona as we prepare to start the run.
The rising sun illuminates the red rocks of Sedona as we prepare to start the run.
Sometimes Dry Creek has water.
Sometimes Dry Creek has water.
A great swimming hole at the turn around point on Wet Beaver Creek.
A great swimming hole at the turn around point on Wet Beaver Creek.
Group run through Carroll Canyon.
Group run through Carroll Canyon.
Spring blossoms along the Elden Springs Trail.
Spring blossoms along the Elden Springs Trail.
Overhanging rock on Hardline Trail.
Overhanging rock on Hardline Trail.
Blooming agave plant on Hangover Trail.
Blooming agave plant on Hangover Trail.
Spring-fed ponds along the Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail.
Spring-fed ponds along the Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail.
Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail overlook.
Sycamore Canyon Rim Trail overlook.
Cluster of oak trees on Apollo Trail in the Mount Elden Dry Lakes (MEDL) trail system.
Cluster of oak trees on Apollo Trail in the Mount Elden Dry Lakes (MEDL) trail system.
View of the San Francisco Peaks on the high point of Space Walk Trail, a part of the MEDL system.
View of the San Francisco Peaks on the high point of Space Walk Trail, a part of the MEDL system.
Tree with carved bench at the top of Space Walk Trail.
Tree with carved bench at the top of Space Walk Trail.
Rock art along a trail in the Red Rock—Secret Mountain Wilderness.
Rock art along a trail in the Red Rock—Secret Mountain Wilderness.
Rocky Mountain Iris along the Arizona Trail.
Rocky Mountain Iris along the Arizona Trail.
Picturesque stand of aspen along the Arizona Trail.
Picturesque stand of aspen along the Arizona Trail.
Running on the Oldham Trail at the base of Mount Elden.
Running on the Oldham Trail at the base of Mount Elden.

It’s not just about the running—it’s also about the beautiful places running can take us.

Edit: fixed typo in title.

 

Water—Spring 2020

Here are a few recent water photographs in northern Arizona.

Dry Beaver Creek and Jacks Canyon Creek confluence.
Dry Beaver Creek and Jacks Canyon Creek confluence.

This photograph was taken in mid-April after a spring storm brought snow to the Mogollon Rim and rain to the lower elevations. The runoff was sufficient to swell the flow in Dry Beaver Creek from a light trickle back to a noisy roar. This is the confluence of the smaller Jacks Canyon Creek with Dry Beaver Creek. While the flowing water is in late-afternoon shadow, the trees and distant hills remain in sunlight.

Rogers Lake.
Rogers Lake.

A day later I was at Rogers Lake southwest of Flagstaff. The reflections of the clouds in the shallow water is interesting. Getting this shot required walking out into the mud. I was glad I had thought to bring a spare pair of shoes for the drive home.

Headwaters of Sycamore Canyon.
Headwaters of Sycamore Canyon.

A week later I did a morning run along the Sycamore Rim Trail. When finished, I returned to a few spots that would make interesting water photographs. This is typical of the upper sections of the canyon with ponds of slow moving water and grassy edges.

Dry Beaver Creek.
Dry Beaver Creek.

This image was taken on a different location on Dry Beaver Creek about two weeks after the top photograph. Water levels have dropped substantially. A few large pools remain but water flow is down to a trickle.

We are now entering our dry season and the water in these locations will quickly disappear.