FUTS Explorer Series 2009- 20 Walks in 40 Days

This is a terrific way to find out about our trail system!

THE FLAGSTAFF URBAN TRAIL SYSTEM (FUTS) EXPLORER SERIES 2009 SCHEDULE

20 Walks in 40 Days

A series designed to explore the urban trail in all sections of Flagstaff

Do 20 walks and win a $20.00 gift certificate to Sizzler Steakhouse

Do 15 of the walks and be eligible for other nice gift prizes

Do 10 of the walks and take home a "20 Walks in 40 Days" Water Bottle

SUNDAY 21 JUNE 2009 Kick Off Event

Paved and Gravel FUTS - Coconino Estates/Thorpe Park/Ft Valley Road

Start Location: Adult Center in Thorpe Park

Time; 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

Walk the new section of paved FUTS along Ft Valley Road and take a

closer look at the "Duck" Pond along the Rio de Flag in Thorpe Park

MONDAY 22 JUNE

FUTS Tunnel Under Butler and Access to McMillan Mesa FUTS

Start Location: Sam's Parking Lot - North End near Taco Bell

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

Across the Route 66 Railroad tracks up to McMillan Mesa on a walk on the

FUTS and the Arizona Trail

WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE

FUTS Around the Airport

Start Location: Airport Parking Lot at the end farthest from the terminal

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

Explore the Airport end of Ponderosa Trails Neighborhood. One of Flagstaff's more

"Walkable" areas

THURSDAY 25 JUNE

FUTS North along Highway 89 to the City Limits

Start Location: Peaks Ranger Station

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

Walk a new section of the paved FUTS out to the Flagstaff City Limits.

We'll pass the Mt Elden Trailhead along the way

SUNDAY 28 JUNE

FUTS Bridge Over Cedar/Forest

Start Location: Buffalo Park

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

We'll walk over Cedar/Forest to McMillan Mesa for some interesting views of

East Flagstaff including the 4th Street Bridge and the Aquaplex

MONDAY 29 JUNE

FUTS connection to the "Y" Parking Area

Start Location: The "Y" parking area located where Schultz Pass Road and Mt Elden Road

part.

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

We'll see where the Arizona Trail, Flagstaff Loop, Schultz Creek Trail, Rocky Ridge Trail and FUTS

all meet in an area filled with local history.

WEDNESDAY 1 JULY

FUTS along San Francisco Street on the NAU Campus

Start Location: Kawanis Park across from the Dome on the NAU Campus

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

We'll walk the paved FUTS along South San Francisco and on the campus FUTS connection

to Sinclair Wash

SATURDAY 4 JULY

FUTS in Railroad Springs

Start Location: Parking Lot of the Arizona Sun - Corner of Thompson and West Route 66

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

A walk on the proposed route for the FUTS along Route 66 and into the Railroad Springs

Neighborhood

SUNDAY 5 JULY

FUTS connections at Lone Tree Road and John Wesley Powell

Start Location: FUTS parking lot at the corner of Lone Tree Road and John Wesley Powell

Time; 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

Proposed FUTS into Bow and Arrow Wash and Flagstaff canyon jewel inside the city limits

Also a walk through a beautiful FUTS tunnel next to the Pine Canyon Neighborhood

TUESDAY 7 JULY

FUTS into Sinclair Wash

Start Location: Flagstaff Police Department Parking Lot - 911 Sawmill Road next to

the Willow Bend Environmental Education Center

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

One of the most beautiful sections of the FUTS below Willow Bend

WEDNESDAY 8 JULY

FUTS around Buffalo Park

Start Location: Buffalo Park parking lot

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

Beautiful late evening views of the peaks from the park. We always see a herd of deer!

SUNDAY 12 JULY

FUTS around the Museum of Northern Arizona

Start Location: Museum Parking Lot on Ft Valley Road

Time; 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

Beautiful Rio de Flag Canyon behind the museum easily viewed from a recently opened FUTS connection

MONDAY 13 JULY

Paved FUTS along John Wesley Powell

Start Location: FUTS parking area at the corner of John Wesley Powell and Lone Tree Road

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

A FUTS walk along John Wesley Powell to the end of the new airport runway and a recent

connection for the Flagstaff Loop Trail

MONDAY 20 JULY

FUTS connection to Ft Tuthill

Start Location: Ft Tuthill County Park where the FUTS comes into the park

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: 4 total miles

We'll use the old railroad bed that is the FUTS on it way back towards Woodlands Village Blvd

WEDNESDAY 22 JULY

FUTS connection between the Airport and Ft Tuthill

Start Location: Airport in the parking lot furthest from the terminal

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

A walk on the proposed FUTS through an old sheep tunnel under I-17 over to Ft Tuthill

SUNDAY 26 JULY

FUTS up Cedar Hill to McMillan Mesa

Start Location: Cedar/Safeway Parking Lot at the front of the Safeway Store

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles with one great hill

A walk up the steep FUTS to McMillan Mesa and the new section of FUTS

along the down side of Cedar/Forest

MONDAY 27 JULY

FUTS along Ft Valley Road

Start Location: Sechrist School on Ft Valley Road

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

A walk on the paved FUTS along Ft Valley Road and if you're nice we'll

venture up to the Fir/Mesa neighborhood using a FUTS connection

across county land

WEDNESDAY 29 JULY

FUTS To the Little America border

Start Location: Sam's Parking Lot nearest the Taco Bell

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: 3 total miles with one good hill

A walk on the Arizona Trail/FUTS connection to Sinclair Wash, Bow and Arrow Wash and the

Rio de Flag

SUNDAY 2 AUGUST

FUTS into the Ponderosa Neighborhood along Lake Mary Road

Start Location: Arizona Game and Fish Parking Lot off Lake Mary Road

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 4 total miles

Walk on the paved FUTS through the Ponderosa Trails in one of Flagstaff's most

walkable neighborhoods

MONDAY 3 AUGUST

FUTS Around the Flagstaff Mall

Start Location: Flagstaff Mall in the Parking Lot next to Pennys

Time: 6:00 PM

Distance: About 3 total miles

We'll walk through two FUTS tunnels, around the proposed winter sledding area in the basin and along

Old Route 66

TUESDAY 4 AUGUST

FUTS along Turquoise

Start Location: Jay Lively Activity Center on Turquoise

Time: 6:00 PM

About 3 total miles of walking on the FUTS along Turquoise near the Summit Center and

the new location for the YMCA

WEDNESDAY 5 AUGUST

Last Walk followed by a party and special awards

Event held on the outdoor patio

Start Location: Adult Center

Time: 6:00 PM

A walk on the FUTS to City Hall and back along the Rio de Flag

QUESTIONS?

Jack Welch

ADILLLO@aol.com

Dogs:

Are allowed but the requirements are very high. We have an

extremely well behaved dog - SallyBrown - who is our standard.

She is always on her best behavior, always on a leash and always

calm. Her owner cleans up after her without being asked.

Please don't bring your dog if it can't meet the SallyBrown standards.

June Walk the Walk

Here is June's Walk-the-Walk schedule from Jack Welch. He is also organizing a 20 Walks in 40 Days program- I will post that in a separate post.

FRIDAY 29 MAY
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Harkins Theater
Time: 9:00 AM 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking in the surrounding neighborhood.

STARTING IN JUNE ALL THE "WALK INTO SUMMER" TREKS WILL START AT 8:00 AM

Tuesday morning walks will start from the steps of the Adult Center
Friday morning walks (JUNE)will start from the parking lot of Buffalo Park
All of these walks are for self sufficient adults

JUNE 2009 WALK THE WALK SCHEDULE

TUESDAY 2 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

THURSDAY 4 JUNE
Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting
Location: City Hall upstairs in the Staff Conference Room
Time: 4:30 PM
Discussion of local bicycle issues

THURSDAY 4 JUNE
Friends of the Rio de Flag Meeting
Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM
The Friends of the Rio de Flag is a new group focusing on promoting the
Rio de Flag's natural stream system as a unique asset for the Flagstaff
community. If you agree with that mission statement and would like
to help promote the Rio please attend this meeting

FRIDAY 5 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Buffalo Park
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

SATURDAY 6 JUNE
National Trails Day
Work on the Loop Trail up on Observatory Mesa
For more complete information please check out the Flagstaffbiking.org web site
Jeffery Gross of the County Parks and Rec has designed a great T shirt that will be
awarded to every participant.
I know I'll be there!

SUNDAY 7 JUNE
Walk The Walk
New Section of the Loop Trail
Start Location: Mormon Ranger Station that is located on the corner of Lake Mary Road
And John Wesley Powell
Time: 6:00 PM
About 3 total miles of walking on this newest section of the Loop Trail that connects
John Wesley Powell to Skunk Canyon

TUESDAY 9 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

FRIDAY 12 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Buffalo Park
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

SATURDAY 13 JUNE
Walk The Walk
Ft Valley Trail
Start Location: The "Y" parking area
Where Schultz Pass Road and Mt Elden divide
Time: 6:00 PM
About 4 total miles of walking on the section of the Ft Valley Trail system that connects to
Schultz Creek Trail

SUNDAY 14 JUNE
Scalawag Climb of Mt Elden to the Lookout
Start Location: Mt Elden Trailhead on Highway 89 just past the Flagstaff
Mall
Time: 8:00 AM 8:00 AM
About 7 total miles with some great views of East Flagstaff

SUNDAY 14 JUNE
Walk The Walk
Ft Valley Trail System Off Snowbowl Road
Start Location: Parking Area at the corner of Highway 180 and Snowbowl Road
Time: 6:00 PM
About 3 total miles of a walk to the most difficult part of the Ft Valley Trail System.
This hike is mostly flat but we will show you where it starts to climb!

TUESDAY 16 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

TUESDAY 16 JUNE
Presentation at the Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM
Subject to be announced

WEDNESDAY 17 JUNE
Presentation at the Adult Center
Time: 6:30 PM
Subject to be announced

FRIDAY 19 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Buffalo Park
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

SUNDAY 21 JUNE
Free Breakfast Ride as presented by Flagstaffbiking.org
Every level of rider welcome
Details to be announced during the first week of June
You don't have to be a mountain bike daredevil to eat breakfast or join this ride afterwards!

SUNDAY 21 JUNE (evening) Kick Off event
FUTS EXPLORER WALKS
20 WALKS IN 40 DAYS
Paved and Gravel FUTS - Coconino Estates/Thorpe Park/Ft Valley Road
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 6:00 PM
Distance: About 4 total miles
Walk the new section of paved FUTS along Ft Valley Road and take a closer look at the
Duck Pond along the Rio de Flag in Thorpe Park

MONDAY 22 JUNE
FUTS EXPLORER WALKS
20 WALKS IN 40 DAYS
FUTS Tunnel Under Butler and Access to McMillan Mesa FUTS
Start Location: Sam's Parking Lot - North End near Taco Bell
Time: 6:00 PM
Distance: About 4 total miles
Across the Route 66 Tracks up to McMillan Mesa on a walk on the FUTS and
Arizona Trail

TUESDAY 23 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location; Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

WEDNESDAY 24 JUNE
FUTS EXPLORER WALKS
20 WALKS IN 40 DAYS
FUTS around the Airport
Start Location: Airport Parking Lot at the end furthest from the terminal
Time: 6:00 PM
Distance: About 4 total miles
Explore the Airport end of the Ponderosa Trails Neighborhood

THURSDAY 25 JUNE
FUTS EXPLORER WALK
20 WALKS IN 40 DAYS
FUTS north along Highway 89 to the City Limits
Start Location: Peaks Ranger Station:
Time: 6:00 PM
Distance: About 4 total miles
Walk the new section of the paved FUTS out to the city limits
We'll pass the Mt Elden Trailhead along the way

FRIDAY 26 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Buffalo Park
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

SATURDAY 27 JUNE
Concert at Ft Tuthill
Gin Blossom Group
More details available during the first week of June.
$10.00 while they last concert tickets
This is a concert organized by the Coconino County Parks and Rec and
the Friends of the Coconino County Parks.

SUNDAY 28 JUNE
FUTS EXPLORER WALKS
20 WALKS IN 40 DAYS
FUTS Bridge over Cedar/Forest
Start Location: Buffalo Park
Time: 6:00 PM
Distance: About 3 total miles
we'll walk over the Cedar/Forest Bridge to McMillan Mesa for some interesting
views of the 4th Street overpass

MONDAY 29 JUNE
FUTS EXPLORER WALKS
20 WALK IN 40 DAYS
FUTS connection to the "Y" parking area
Start Location: The "Y" parking area located where Schultz Pass Road and Mt Elden Road part
Time: 6:00 PM
Distance: About 3 total miles.
We'll see where the Arizona Trail, Flagstaff Loop, Schultz Creek Trail, Rocky Ridge Trail and FUTS
all meet in this historic part of Flagstaff

TUESDAY 30 JUNE
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 8:00 AM
About 3 total miles of walking

Walking Goals

Ahh, my goals. I have many walking goals but have not met or worked towards any of them the last couple of weeks. Oh, I have my excuses. It's been raining (very poor excuse, as I watch people bicycling in the rain). Our house/kitchen is being remodeled (semi-reasonable excuse, I have been busy with household duties and running here and there getting this and that to complete a project). Regardless, I haven't been walking as much as I would like.
What are my goals? I have three.
1. To walk 10,000 steps, six days a week. I round this up to a four mile walk each day. Usually I easily achieve this goal. Walk my Son to and from school equals two miles and a walk around Buffalo Park for two more miles completes the four miles.
2. To condition myself so that I can go on longer, more difficult hikes. My specific goal is to walk in and out of the Grand Canyon in one day. I know of many people who do this regularly. Not me. I swore I would never do that hike in one day. I have hiked in to Phantom Ranch and spent the night and then hiked out. I thought that was just fine. I don't know what changed, all I know is that I want to take advantage of my healthy legs and lungs while I can. I have a lot of hills to climb before I will feel good about trying that hike.
3. To depend less and less on my car. I will need to challenge myself to accomplish this goal and will talk about this more later.
Share your walking goals.

Walk the Walk May Schedule

I will be trying to provide information about organized walks going on around Flagstaff, including the Walk-the-Walk schedule put out by Jack Welch. Here is the most recent schedule. These walks are a great way to learn more about Flagstaff, get together with people and get some exercise. Thanks, Jack!

Walk-the-Walk Schedule
The following is the rest of our walk schedule for May.

You will also get a 20 Walks in 40 Days Walk Schedule for the FUTS Explorer series today which will start in late June - continue throughout July and finish in early August.

Our regular June Walk the Walk Schedule will be sent out this weekend. It will include parts of the FUTS
20 walks in 40 day.

All of these walks will also appear in the calendar of the Arizona Daily Sun or You will be able to get a hard copy of the schedules at the National Senior & Fitness Day at the Aquaplex on Wednesday 27 May


SUNDAY 24 MAY
Walk The Walk
Ft Valley Trail System
Start Location: Forest Road 164B Trailhead which is just past mile marker 222 on the right. Go down the hill and you will see the trailhead off to your right
Time: 5:00 PM 5:00 PM
About 3 total miles

TUESDAY 26 MAY
Walk Into Summer
Start Location: Adult Center
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles in and around the surrounding neighborhood

WEDNESDAY 27 MAY
National Senior Fitness Day
Location; Aquaplex on 4th Street
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Lots of good information. I'll be leading a 2 mile walk to start the day (8:30 AM at the Auqaplex front door)
Pick up more information at the Aquaplex or the Adult Center

FRIDAY 29 MAY
Walk Into Summer
Location: Harkins Theater Parking Lot
Time: 9:00 AM
About 3 total miles in and around the surrounding neighborhood

Walking Treats

I love to walk. I looked at a bunch of quotes about walking and found so many of them true: it cleanses your mind, it makes you happy, it makes you healthy, it brings you to new places quietly.

I come by my love for walking through my Mom. She was quite the walker. She had to be- mother of six with no driver’s license. How else was she to get where she needed to be?

I was the youngest of this gang and so was the only one home while everyone else was at school. I remember scrambling to keep up with Mom as she headed off on her various errands. After a brisk walk to the cloth store she would scan the fabrics feeling each with her fingers and carefully choosing the pattern. If I was the recipient of the to-be-made item I would be able to offer a little suggestion on the style and print of the cloth. But I didn’t care too much. Maybe my thoughts were already on the walk home: the lines and cracks of the sidewalks, the ants and beetles scurrying across our path and whether or not I could keep up with Mom to hold her hand.

In warm summer evenings I remember different walks. Mom, Dad and I would saunter, with me sometimes in the front, sometimes in the back, up to the drugstore to buy a piece of candy for dessert. I remember always getting a Black Cow- flattened caramel rectangle covered with chocolate on a stick. Yum.

Quote

We live in a fast-paced society. Walking slows us down. ~Robert Sweetgall

I posted this yesterday because I liked the idea. When I read it this morning, I was thinking it might make walking sound bad. Think of walking as a chance to collect thoughts, relax and smell the roses, as they say. That's what I was thinking when I first read the quote.

Welcome

Hi,
Welcome to my blog about walking and treating the Earth gently. I am hoping to provide all sorts of stuff about walking, and other alternative transportation opportunities, in and around northern Arizona. I am just starting, so check back later for more!

Cecile


The photo is of the road around Ashurst Lake early in the morning- nice walk.