There is a new trail next to Barrel Roll, in Santa Clara, that I discovered last week. I realized that this trail did not exist a few weeks ago. I was completely stoked to make this discovery, thinking to myself, that this trail rivals the best in Southern Utah. I found the trail while on a 13 mile multiple trail and road run. I thought I was taking a trail by the name of Barrel Roll. Unfortunately, I was running for time and had to get back to work, so I could not take time to truly appreciate the intense beauty of Spring in the most incredible place to live in the United States.
So, this past Saturday was my 42 birthday and I gave myself the present of not running for time nor speed, but to take in all the sights to see on this new trail.
The trail is to the left of Barrel Roll.
When I was driving to the trail head everyone was coming off of the mountain as it was raining and blowing quite intensely.
I almost decided to wait and come back, but as soon as I got out of my car, it cleared up and it was all good. You can see how incredible the terrain and the views are from this next picture. The trail I am running is to the right in the picture- not down below. The trail below is cool, but not like this one.
The next photo is the view looking back down into the city, and you can also see my dog Pepper.
There are plenty of boulders to leap off of to keep the running interesting.
However, it was the plants time to shine as everything here in the desert is in full color.
Notice the water beading on the flower.
Here is another small flower with white, purple and yellow colors. I hope to look up the flower names and add them to the post, but for now, I am just loving the colors in bloom. Soon the spring desert storms will leave, and the heat will return, and so will the blooms.
What an incredible view from the top.
At the entrance to the trail head I ran into Kam one of Southern Utah’s most accomplished ultra runners. He is nursing some knee injuries. He runs in the same Solomon shoes that I used to run in. “Maybe it’s the shoes” I commented as he looked at my five finger shod feet. “Maybe,” he said. Anyway he is blazingly fast when he is not injured. I believe he was injured in the 24 hours of Moab.
Screaming back down the trail, focused and going fast. My wife snapped a few pictures of me when I returned.
What an incredible day for a run, fast finish, and big smiles.
On the way out we pass Kam. He is hard core and is still on the journey.
I hope that you enjoyed the pictures and I hope to see you on the trail. Maybe out here in my backyard.
Michael Carroll
Hey Mike,
Happy trails, David.
Great post! I miss running elevations and trails in Alberta, Canada — Florida tends to be rather flat. Although, I did have a great morning (barefoot) beach run. No need to look out for scorpions there.
Hey Michael
Bob sent me your blog. Edith and I are running the Disney half marathon this September. May need to walk run since I have not had much time to train. We are currently in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at our home. Send us some photos of the kids.
Big Hugs
P&G
Dang! You’ve got me perked up again. It has been a while since I’ve gotten motivated. Shoulder surgery in september knocked my feet out from under me. I have slowly been picking myself up, but it has been difficult. Getting out climbing has helped restore some self confidence. Went and did a 15 mile run with Deanne and Brent a month ago on the West Rim Trail, and oooooooh how good it felt! Picked up a miserable chest cold (stress from Grand Opening of The Desert Rat: Leading groups on consecutive canyon hikes at Bogleyfest, etc), and trying to heal before pushing the infection deeper into my chest. I really would like to and need to get out soon! Thanks for your insight and motivation!
Bo
Thanks for the props. I do hope that we get to go for a run on one of the local trails or perhaps out in Zion’s.
Michael Carroll
I want to Run my First Marathon In 2010. I found a program by Marrius Bakken, which I found on you tube which looks pretty promising….He takes you through 100 days of training for the big race….For those interested in running their first marathon run this is the product to get….