Resistance Training...on accident

 Powering through knee deep snow for 10 miles is my definition of resistance training... I was hoping for an easier time of it and get a good run in with only a couple sections of deep, untraveled snow but it was not the case today in the Dry Lake Hills. Today was built for getting the legs WORKED!

Yesterday it snowed BIG TIME and we received over a foot of snow in Flagstaff and who knows how much more in higher elevations. I went on my run this morning looking to get some running in and beat down a trail in the tougher, deeper sections for future runs. Pretty much the plan was to make a plush trough for the standard classic loop on the Dry Lake Hills to keep the dream alive for running up there this winter.

And, even though I got the beat down from running today (read: I walked at least 80% of the run), I had a great time forcing a trail through knee deep snow, looking for and seeing animals (I say a bunch of turkeys at one point on Rocky Ridge) and taking in the beautiful sights.

Here's some of my favorite images from the run:

(This was the only good section of trail and it lasted 100 yards  from the gate on Schultz  Pass Road to the Schultz Creek/Rocky Ridge Trailheads.)

(Cutting off the good bit of beat down trail and heading right into 'resistance training land' of deep snow...little did I know I would be pushing snow for the entire loop.)

(Here we go...on to the Rocky Ridge Trail.)

(Typical trail conditions for the whole loop...I'm not joking! This photo is on the lower and less snowy Rocky Ridge (still over one foot of snow here).)

(Easier moving in only 6 inches of fresh powder for the short section of road on the Elden Lookout Road to hook up with Brookbank. 5 minutes of pure bliss.)

(Here we go again...postholing fun!)

(Here comes the sun...)

(Looking back at Flagstaff from high on the Brookbank Trail.)

(I'm glad I captured this moment...simple, quiet, beautiful.)

(One of these bad boys will be blocking the trail this spring...stay strong old snag!)

(Almost to the dry lakes at the top of the Dry Lake Hills! Probably my favorite part of this loop, especially in winter.)

(Looking back at my fresh tracks. Hard fought through thigh deep snow in this section but worth it (maybe) for making future runs easier.)

(Dry Lakes. Sick!)

(Looking back at more of my tracks. Awesome place to be!)

(Love it. Beautiful.)

(Last look back at the Dry Lakes before heading down  Little Gnarly.)

(DEEP snow on Little Gnarly. I was really hoping for snowshoe tracks here but  none to be found...keep on postholing)

(Almost free? and escaping to the Schultz Pass Road and hopefully a path in the snow from hikers.)

(A favorite moment of mine from the day. Sun was out, billowing snow everywhere and the peaks perfectly framed.)

(I couldn't pass up taking a  shot of this. Really cool to me for some reason.) 

(FINALLY, on the Schultz Pass Road...but, what the hell, barely an tracks and 6 inch to a foot of powder...all the way down to the gate.  BRING IT ON! Might as well keep up the resistance all the way to the gate...why not.)

(HEAVEN! Finally to the plowed mile of road back to the house. Luxury!!!)

(View of the peaks from my house after the run. Long hard  run/hike but well worth it. Hopefully, the work will be worth it and I will be able to sustain a good trench on the loop and be able to run it weekly throughout the winter...we will see.)