Carefree

{Courtesy Charles Schulz} Carefree is a high desert area. Most of the homes in the area are on acre plus lots and the roads are two lane asphalt. They are lightly traveled except for Cave Creek road and Tom Darlington.

If you leave the entrance of the Carefree Conference Resort and turn left (north) on the street in front of the hotel (Mule Train) you will hit Carefree Drive just as you leave the hotel property. Continue to your left on Carefree Drive and at the next stop sign, turn right on Tranquil Trail. Stay on this street until you get to the next stop sign at Rising Sun Road. Turn right again on Rising Sun and you will start to get a few hills here.

At this point you have to decide how far you want to go. The shortest way back to the hotel is to continue on Rising Sun until just past the next stop sign where you want to turn right on Paint Pony Road. You follow that to your first right which is Concho Street. This is only a block long and you turn right at the corner onto Serene St. You stay on Serene until you get to a stop sign at Mule Train where you turn left and head back to the hotel. This is about 3.5 miles.

If you want to go longer, turn left off Rising Sun onto Golden Spur. It gives you a lot of alternatives that all lead you back to Painted Pony and back as described above. This is also a hilly area but you will have some great views from the tops of the ridgelines.

Phoenix

{Courtesy Christopher Schiffhauer) My favorite run is at South Mountain at the entrance by 48th and Guadalupe. Start West on National Trail (natch) and once you cross the Pima Wash and get to all the Mormon Trails, veer right onto Mormon Loop. About 100 yards later there will be an unmarked trail that goes off to the right. I believe this is Javalina (if it isn't then it later turns into it). Follow this beautiful trail until you can see Phoenix's skyline and you will come to some kind of unidentified submerged building (always reminds me of a roller skating rink ???). Here again you will encounter another unmarked trail (for sure we are on Javalina by now) that juts up a small hill. This will take you to the parking lot at the 46th street entrance. Cross the parking lot to the beginning of Ridgeline Trail, which is for once very easy to find. This will more or less stay under a set of power lines to help you along your way. There are two hills of consequence on this hardest part of the run. The first is a warm-up compared to the deceptively long and steep second hill. I've seen many a cyclist go into a head-first wipeout on this part. At the top of the hill, veer right along the ridge and soon downhill to the creatively named Loop One. Veer right, and this trail will swoop around and soon bring you back to the parking lot. This trail is a neat and precise five miles. Excellent for your running logs. It will take a try or two to get it right, but it is well worth it. Again, it's National Trail to Mormon Loop (briefly) then Javalina, Ridgeline, and Loop One.

{Courtesy David Weeks) I usually run sections of the Christiansen Trail (aka Trail 100) once a month so this might add to location in North Phoenix. Those desiring a nice trail experience, but without a lot of hilly sections can start a run at the trailhead where Central Avenue dead ends about a half mile (on Central Avenur) south of West Thunderbird Road. You can run south on a wide trail for appoximately 2.5 miles and arrive at Mountain View Park at 7th Avenue and West Peoria. A round trip makes a nice 5 miler with just a couple short uphills. A more challenging run is available by leaving the same trailhead, but head East about a quarter mile from the start (bear left). Continue about a half mile and go under the tunnel at 7th Street (Pointe Resort). You can then run all the way to the tunnel under Cave Creek Road (about 2.5 miles). Then if you want some real steep and rocky terrain continue on Trail 100 East all the way to a finish in the Parking Lot at Dreamy Dream Park; just after running through the tunnel under the Squaw Peak Parkway. This last 2 mile section is hilly with many dips and turns. Definitely a great change of pace from our urban street or the canal banks. A word of caution: Concentrate, as most of the terrain here is uneven and rocky in addition to used often my Mountain Bikers; especially on weekends.

{Courtesy Andy Jones-Wilkins) An outstanding 10+ Miler in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve with short, steep climbs, on-the-edge descents, great views, and rugged trails. This run begins in the lightly used parking lot just north of Lincoln and 32nd Street (there is no water at this trailhead so be sure to bring some!). From the parking lot head out on trail 8A north toward the high saddle about 1.2 miles from start (you can see it from the parking lot so you know what you're in for). This relatively steep climb has several switchbacks which allow for great views back down toward Phoenix. From the saddle drop down steeply, staying on trail 8A, to a large wash in the center of the main basin of the preserve. From this spot you cannot tell that you're in the middle of a major city! From here continue west on trail 8A until it intersects with the confluence of trails 302 (Circumference Trail), 304, and 1A (Perl Charles Trail). You are now about 2.8 miles into the run, on the northeast flank of the Squaw Peak massif, and ready to begin the journey around Squaw Peak. There are several intersecting trails during the journey around Squaw Peak, simply stay on trail 302 keeping the mountain on your left and you will eventually end up back in the Squaw Peak Summit Trail parking area where there are water fountains, restrooms, and crowds of people clamoring to conquer the summit trail. (If a climb up to the top of the peak is part of your plan, simply take the summit trail when it intersects with 302 about a third of the way up the peak. This adds another mile to the 10+ mile loop and about 1200 more feet of elevation change.) From the Squaw Peak parking lot follow the pavement to its northern terminus where you access trail 304. After a third of a mile on 304 pick up trail 8B on the right for one last major lung-burning, quad crunching climb. It's about 3/4 of a mile straight up to a pass which then drops steeply down to rejoin trail 8A. After rejoining 8A it's a screaming descent down the same switchbacks you came up. After 1.2 miles you are back to the parking lot.

Prescott

{Courtesy Charles Schulz) This description covers two trails, the Peavine and the Groom Creek. They are similar in that they are both good for walking, horseback riding, cycling and certainly for trail running. They also both offer 9 mile options but have alternatives that can make for shorter runs. They both will require that you drive out of town for a few miles to get to the trailhead and there is no drinking water available on either trail.

These trails also have many contrasts. The Peavine Trail is on top of an old railroad bed and is basically flat while the Groom Creek Trail goes up and down the west side of Spruce Mountain. The Peavine is an out and back trail while the Groom Creek trail is a loop trail. The Groom Creek is almost completely in the trees while the Peavine is out in the open. The Groom Creek can be run in the summer on most days while the Peavine, could be hot in the summer. One is an old trail that has existed for years and the other was just opened this year.

I hope you have a chance to enjoy these trails, their similarities, their differences and most importantly their scenic views.

Peavine Trail
This trail was opened in early 1999. It is a trail that has been developed over the old Peavine Railroad right of way that is historically significant to Prescott and the surrounding areas. The trail is very well marked, it is basically flat with some slight grades and turns and hopefully the plans to extend the trail into Prescott Valley and Chino Valley will open additional running opportunities in the near future.

The trailhead has a less than scenic start since it sits next to the sewage plant but it does get a lot better as it moves away from that less than sweet smelling location. To get to this trail from the courthouse square, take Gurley St. east to the intersection of SR69 and US89 and follow US89 north past the historic Fort Whipple. About a mile out you will want to take the Sundog Ranch Road turning to the right off US89. Sundog Ranch Road will immediately cross a bridge and then pass under a railroad overpass. The road then quickly turns to the left up a slight hill. Proceed on this road until you see the sewage plant on your left and the dog pound on your right. Just past the dog pound and just beyond the sewage plant, on the left side of the road, you will find the trailhead parking area. This is also the area where people can hike down to Watson Woods, a riparian area that is being restored.

The trail heads out past the large gate to the west of the parking lot. After about a quarter mile the trail intersects the old railroad bed. Here you turn right and head north. The trail will go around another gate in another quarter mile and Watson Lake will then begin to come into view on the left side of the trail. At about the same time, in front of you, you will see the huge granite boulders that make up the Granite Dells area. The trail will take you right into the middle of this very colorful and quiet area.

As the trail passes by the lake there are areas where you can take short side trails down to the lake or to a table for picnics. The granite boulder area rises from the lake but the path stays above the various changes in terrain that will surround you. It all makes for a run that is a pleasant challenge for your feet and legs while it is also pleasing to your senses. You feel the warm sun and breezes on a cool morning, you see all the great colors that surround you in the rocks, grasses and flowers and all the while enjoy the sounds and sights of the birds and other animals that inhabit the area.

The trail crosses a few old railroad bridges and small pasture areas as it moves through the Dells. Just before the 3 mile mark, you will pass through another gate, cross a one track ranch road, go around another gate and then pass through an area that is used as a shooting range. However, you don't have to dodge bullets or arrows, the shooting is done away from the trail. I have been on the trail six or eight times and only early in the day but during that time have only seen one person in the area of the shooting range.

At the 3 mile mark, the trail will pass an old railroad spur takes off to the north and east. The spur used to go on to Poland, Crown King and Dewey. The Peavine Trail turns gently off to the north northwest towards Chino Valley and on to Ash Fork. At this point the granite rocks will start to recede behind you as the trail moves out into the grasslands. After another 1.5 miles, you will hit the end of the trail as it currently exits. You will be at US89A next to an old train trestle but you get to turn around and enjoy the run back to the trailhead. Do not proceed beyond this point.

If you make a turn around here, you will have covered about 9 miles. The signage at the trailhead identify other approximate mileages along the way so you can adjust your run length accordingly but doing the whole 9 mile out and back is a great run for any day.

Groom Creek Loop Trail #307
This trail has been around for a very long time and shows up on topo maps that were drawn up several years ago. This trail is used by mountain bikers and is also very popular with the horse folks since they have a campground dedicated to their use across the road from the trailhead. I find I can beat most of the other trail users out on the trail if I get there early. You also need $2.00 to pay for parking here.

To get to this trailhead, go east on Gurley St. from the town square. At Mount Vernon St. turn right (south). Mount Vernon becomes the Senator Highway just outside of town and then becomes FR52 as it enters the forest. Proceed for about 6.5 miles until you come upon the signs that indicate that the Groom Creek Trailhead #307 is coming up on the left side of the road.

The trail leaves the parking area as you walk east past the restrooms. At this point you have to decide which way you want to travel on his loop. I prefer to go counter clockwise, which is less used, while most folks go clockwise. The main reason is probably that the way to the left is the shortest to the top and the views from the fire tower.

This trail tops out at just under 7800 feet and a fire tower on top of the hill about 50 yards to the north of the trail gives a great view of the whole area. On a clear day you can see the San Francisco Peaks, the Santa Maria Mountains, south into the Bradshaws and across to the Mazatzals and Pine Mountain. The shortest route to the top and back down, about 7 miles, is the trail to the left, the clockwise route. To go to the top and back by going to the right, counterclockwise, is about 11 miles. To do the full loop in either direction is 9 miles.

Going counter clockwise, leaving the trailhead to the right, the trail drops for a short while as it parallels FR52. After about 1.5 miles of rises and falls, you cross a small dry creek and start the switchbacks that contour around the southern shoulder of Spruce Mountain. At the most southern end of the trail, you come out on top of the ridgeline that leads back to the north and the fire tower. As you start north across this ridgeline, you will pass a sign indicating a helicopter landing spot and after about a mile a sign indicates that you have covered 4 miles. As you leave this area, you will go through an old wooden rail gate that is falling apart. After about 2 more miles of ridge running, you will hit a similar gate that will be about a quarter mile from the fire tower area. After passing through this gate you will pass a small green building on your left and an antenna and propane gas tank. The trail then drops down into the picnic area on top of the mountain and next to the road you could have driven up here on if I had told you about it before now. The fire tower is on top of the knoll to the north of this area.

There is a small wooden outhouse here and the trail goes back down the mountain to the right of this facility. It is mostly 3.5 miles down to the parking area from here. The trail is wider and as indicated before more heavily used from here on down. For those of you that really like downhill running, you'll have a real blast here - just look out for the horses and bikes coming up.

Scottsdale

{Courtesy Christopher Schiffhauer) The Indian Bend Wash in Scottsdale has running trails with all kinds of distance markings so that you can plan out any distance (especially between McKellips and Indian School) and run it on a nice, windy course with legs and very slightly rolling hills. Unfortunately it is on sidewalk so unless you have shins of steel you can't do it everyday. And watch out for sprinklers in the morning.

Sedona

{Courtesy James Schwegel) Up the road, a short distance from Tlaquepaque take the turnout for Schebley Hill Road (veer to your right) and drive up Schnebley Hill Road a bit. The pavement ends within the first half mile and then you are on a wide dirt road that I understand goes all the way to I-17 (11 miles or 17 miles to I-17 -- I forget which it is). Park at a camp site of your choosing, take whatever water you think you will need, and run for as far as you like. The road is hard packed, sometimes rocky, and can get dusty when cars and 4 x 4's drive by. It seems that you will get a car about every ten minutes or so. The scenery is beautiful, the course is hilly, and more uphill as you head east.

Tucson

{Courtesy Elisa Kinder} Sabino Canyon - 7.4 Miles total (up and back down), with first 3.7 mostly uphill - very scenic - all on asphalt. Trails from there are good for running although somewhat narrow and rocky. Phoneline Trail is a favorite and maps are available at the Visitors Center. Take Sabino Canyon Road north to almost dead end - park is on your right. Free.

Saguaro National Park East - 15 miles from downtown Tucson - lots of great trails, less rocky and wider than Sabino. Also loop inside park (8 miles) is all on asphalt and can't get lost. Trail maps at Visitors Center - $2 entry fee. Canyon Loop Trail is excellent and very runnable. Take 22nd east to Spanish Trail, follow signs to park.

Rillito River Park - Flat, bike path 9 mile out and back run starting from River and Campbell Boulevard running west to La Cholla Road. Asphalt bike path with dirt trail on both sides of path. No traffic, only bikes and skates. Path goes under all major streets. Can run out on the north side (asphalt) and run back on the south side (all dirt except for crossing the Shopping Mall parking lot).

Catalina State Park - Fairly flat road running inside park (up to 5 miles of asphalt). Lots of great trails starting from the Equestrian Center or from the Trailhead. Map available at Visitors Center. Canyon Loop and 50 Year Trail are the best. Some trails a bit sandy as they are also used for horse trails. In Northwest Tucson, take Oracle Road north past Oro Valley, Park is on the right just beyond the huge Allied Signal complex. $4 fee per car. Lots of scenery and bird life.

Old Spanish Trail - Bike path on the east end of town that has some roller coaster type hills, and goes for 11 miles round-trip. The trail starts just off of Broadway and Old Spanish Trail and runs to Saguaro National Park East entrance. Take Broadway east to past Pantano Blvd. Look for small street sign of Old Spanish Trail by Texaco station. Turn right, park on dirt lot next to restaurant. Trail starts right across from lot.

Verde Valley

{Courtesy Jim Bostwick} 1.Around Pecks Lake in Clarkdale. About 3.3 miles. Easy to find on a map, just follow the signs to Tuzigoot National Monument.

2. Dead Horse State Park on the Verde River in Cottonwood has unlimited trails so distance is optional. If you don't want to pay the park entrance fee, park at Riverfront Park across the river from Dead Horse.

3. From Pecks Lake to Sycamore Canyon and back. 20 miles on dirt road.

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