Around the camel

I'm finding new routes after our move for the summer. After running through Papago last weekend I decided to head in the other direction for my long run this weekend, kind of hoping to find the back trail to the Camelback summit...which I did find and ran a (short) section of. I hope to go back and run/hike all the way up at some point, but I wasn't ready to do that this morning, but here is a little picture near the start of the trail...the most runnable section I came across, really. From here I completed a circumnavigation of Camelback-extending my 13 mile run into almost 14...but it was worth it for the views from the trail.

Plus the nice cool weather this morning made it that much more enjoyable...my hands even got a little chilled at the start!

Pemberton

Every once in a while you have to stretch yourself-which I managed to do this weekend. The 15.4 mile Pemberton Trail loop at McDowell Mountain Park is a great rolling trail for runners (or mountain bikers or horseback riders, etc...). Very runnable surface with great views of 4 Peaks, the McDowell Mountains, and lots of little ins and outs along the trail. We ran it clockwise, which I believe is the easier way since the last 6 miles or so felt to be all downhill, making for a long uphill climb going counter-clockwise. Of course, I don't recommend going out to do the full loop if you're only doing 20 miles a week (and have already done 11 of those prior in the week), but like I said, it's good to stretch yourself, especially when you have good company (as we did this weekend). Being on summer break now, I can fully rest up anyways! On the wildlife side, was able to catch views of a roadrunner and small snake-and a biker said she had run over a snake along the trail, but it had scooted off right away again...