Right in the middle of Phoenix is the Phoenix Mountain Preserve and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area. My appointment to show homes today was nearby, so I did a 'Superman'. Yeah, I wore my running shorts and a singlet under my clothes so that I could do a quick run afterwards.
The parking lot was almost at the halfway point. I ran south for half a mile and then ran the north portion of the trail. I was suprised to see that the trail was concrete or asphalt, so I didn't need to run on the rocks that you find on Arizona trails. And I got to run on hills. Nothing real dramatic, but much more than the usual speed bump I encounter.
This is an uphill. Hard to tell, you'll have to trust me. I did a little over 4 miles in 45 minutes. I stopped for pictures and just enjoyed the run. The path runs parallel with the Piestawa Peak Freeway and at one point I came upon a walking bridge over the road.
But, most of the trail was on the other side of the sound barrier. Loud freeway on one side, quiet desert on my side. So, why is it called 'Dreamy'. Well, this is where they would mine for Cinnebar or mercury sulfide. Mercury made the miners spaced out 'like they were on drugs' or dreamy.
After this great run in the middle of the day, this close to Christmas I felt a little dreamy too.
The parking lot was almost at the halfway point. I ran south for half a mile and then ran the north portion of the trail. I was suprised to see that the trail was concrete or asphalt, so I didn't need to run on the rocks that you find on Arizona trails. And I got to run on hills. Nothing real dramatic, but much more than the usual speed bump I encounter.
This is an uphill. Hard to tell, you'll have to trust me. I did a little over 4 miles in 45 minutes. I stopped for pictures and just enjoyed the run. The path runs parallel with the Piestawa Peak Freeway and at one point I came upon a walking bridge over the road.
But, most of the trail was on the other side of the sound barrier. Loud freeway on one side, quiet desert on my side. So, why is it called 'Dreamy'. Well, this is where they would mine for Cinnebar or mercury sulfide. Mercury made the miners spaced out 'like they were on drugs' or dreamy.
After this great run in the middle of the day, this close to Christmas I felt a little dreamy too.
6 comments:
It looks like you have some spectacular scenery to enjoy on your runs...
Here in South Jersey I have a lot of industrial scenery and high traffic roads.
Great pictures.. I was thinking of carrying a camera with me on some of my runs, and it looks like it might be worth it.
That looks like a great place to run!
It looks so beautiful!
Where was this at again? I need to check this out the next time I am in town (and will check it out a lot when I move there!!).
That look incredible. I had to "walk" because of the snow today. Ack.
I used to drive the 51 everday and often wondered about that path. Thanks for the pictures! Now I know what is there. I need to give that a try. I didn't realize it was paved all the way. I have run in the preserve accessing it from the neighborhoods near 40th and Shea and the trails are not paved there. It is kind of weird how you can feel like you are in the middle of the desert and yet you are really in the middle of a big city.
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