Finally Did Windgate Pass & Bell Pass

(pic borrowed from "http://picasaweb.google.com/tganahl")
Beautiful AZ morning trail run - cooler temps won't be around more than a few more days so a 2-hour run starting at 6:30 was a treat with my buddy, Kyle. Soon it'll need to be 5:00 a.m. starts so we don't die out there in the heat.

As always, the trails were in excellent shape, even came within inches of stepping on a about a 2-foot long snake (non-rattler type). Great to see so many other runners, bikers, and hikers out there this morning.

Ran up to the first saddle - October Grand Canyon Run is Creeping Up REALLY Fast

Did a later evening run today - temps are rising and it's only a matter of days before it's 100 degrees plus every day until October! Managed to make up to the first saddle (124th and Via Linda (Cactus) trailhead). Also, that's Camelback Mountain over my right hand - will be running up that a few times for my training too.
<--- "WHY? WHY do I let myself get outa shape!?"

Looking back down the trail. It was tough coming up, but the reward is the downhill all the way home. Nice.

Windgate Pass - Bell Pass Loop

Time to get some trail runs under my belt before embarking on some longer ones in the coming weeks. Funny how longer runs will be measure in "hours" instead of "miles".

Going to try the new trailhead in Scottsdale and run around Windgate and Bell Passes. Steep stuff, but a heck of a workout.

http://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/Assets/documents/preserve/TrailsPlan.pdf

Want to Visit the Grand Canyon But Don't Want to Pay?

National parks to offer free admission on 3 summer weekends


WASHINGTON — The National Park Service is looking to stimulate summer vacations at national parks.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Tuesday that entrance fees at 147 national parks and monuments — including the Grand Canyon and Yosemite — will be waived on three weekends this summer. The weekends are June 20-21, July 18-19 and August 15-16.

"During these tough economic times, our national parks provide opportunities for affordable vacations for families," Salazar said at a news conference at Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio. "I encourage everyone to visit one of our nation's crown jewels this summer and especially to take advantage of the three free-admission weekends."

Most Americans live less than a day's drive from.......