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Thursday, April 11, 2013

Arizona Trail upcoming events


ARIZONA TRAIL RUNNING & HIKING SERIES
promotional postcard

Here's a fun way to get out and experience our state-spanning Arizona Trail (AZT). This series of 10k to half marathon (13.1) running/hiking events on some of the most scenic AZT passages are designed to build awareness of and generate funds to manage and support the  mission of maintaining this 800-mile National Scenic Trail as a world-class recreation destination. Each event comes complete with refreshments, prizes and an opportunity to socialize with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts. There's a modest registration fee and participants must sign up in advance.

UPCOMING EVENTS:
APRIL 27: Vail
MAY 18: Pine
SEPT 29: Mormon Lake

AZT WEBSITE:

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Hike in Prescott's granite dells


CONSTELLATION TRAILS
Prescott

Lost Wall trail

Some people believe that good luck will ensue if you can hold your breath while traveling through a tunnel. There's an opportunity to test this theory at the gateway to Prescott's Constellation Trails. Take a deep breath of clean prairie air and--if you're taller than 5'4"---duck down, head through the AZ89 underpass and exhale birth-like in a weathered world of ancient granite dells at the trailhead on the other side.
The crystal-infused granite dells are a wonder and this web of loop paths takes hikers through a beautifully varied terrain in just under 3 miles.  "You-are-here-style" maps are posted at the  trailhead and at every junction throughout the system, making navigation super simple. The most challenging legs are North 40 and Lost Wall---both of which traverse the area's highest, rockiest places. From the bare-rock high points, views of bucolic Williamson Valley frame the distant peaks of Flagstaff and Williams at the edge of the Northern Arizona's Colorado Plateau.  The trails move among juniper- shaded glens and exposed slickrock where white paint dots mark the way. A couple of fun squeezes through stone corridors get hikers up close and personal with bizarre patterns infused within igneous rock. Back at the trailhead, there's a commemorative plaque paying tribute to the Navy crewmen of the Air Force Lockheed C-121G USS Constellation, which crashed here in 1959.   A small pile of wreckage sits nearby. 
passage in the dells




LENGTH: 2.74 miles collective
RATING: easy-moderate
ELEVATION:  5016' - 5229'
FEES: none
DOGS: leashed dogs are allowed
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, go north on I17 to the Cordes Junction AZ69 interchange.  Head west toward Prescott on AZ69 and continue through town to the AZ89 junction.  Go north on AZ89--past Watson Lake--to just beyond milepost 318 and turn right at the entrance for Phippen Museum.  Look for the "trailhead parking" area---do not use the museum lot. Trail begins at the gate near AZ89.


View of Williamson Valley from the trails

INFO & MAP:
City of Prescott

MORE PHOTOS:

Monday, April 8, 2013

National search for “Summit Samplers”


$500 TO HIKE?---IT COULD HAPPEN

Arizona's high point Humphreys Peak, 12,633'

Hi Hikers, Did you know that, in addition to their primitive-by-modern-standards climbing gear, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay carried Grape-Nuts cereal with them on their May 29, 1953 summit of Mt. Everest? It’s true---this iconic breakfast staple has seen the top of the world.
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of this historical achievement, the folks at Post Grape-Nuts Fit have asked me to invite YOU to apply to be part of a commemorative, nationwide event to be held on or around May 29, 2013.  Up to 60 hikers will be selected as “Summit Samplers”.  Each participant will be provided with a packet of goodies and Grape-Nuts samples to hand out while hiking up a local peak (big or small) of their choice.  In addition, “samplers” who complete their journey and send in photos documenting their climb will receive $500!  How’s that for doing what you’d probably do anyway? What have you got to loose---log on to this website to apply.  But hurry, entries are only being accepted through FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013.
APPLY NOW: