The Wind Loop: Parhelic Circle Trail Races

Race - Jul 27, 2019

Dogs Unknown

Features Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Views of Kendrick Peak and peaceful aspen groves are the highlights of this loop, which serves as one of two loops for the new Parhelic Circle Trail Runs. The trails are very runnable and some of the softest surface running you can do. Excellent high-elevation running and training! See sundogrunning.com/parhelic-… for more details on the race, July 27, 2019.

The lodge has some snacks and drinks for sale along with public restrooms, and there are portable toilets in the parking lot.

The route follows signed Arizona Nordic Village trails that are used for cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. This route starts from behind the Lodge on Cinder Trail (singletrack) for less than a mile to a left onto Babbitt Trail (two track/dirt road), and a quick left in an open meadow onto Thunder Trail.

Continue on Thunder past intersections for Snowflake, El Nino, Tornado until the junction with Wind Trail—turn left off of Thunder onto Wind. Continue on Wind past the junction with Lightning. The trail will start to enter an open meadow where the obvious dirt road continues straight, but you need to turn right to follow the marked ski trail (look for orange squares on trees).

The trail can be difficult to follow in the meadow grasses here, but head east following markers on trees until you intersect with a dirt road (FR 151E). Follow this road (still the Wind Trail but merges with Thunder again) back to the intersection with Babbitt Trail.

Turn right onto Babbitt (West) to run down approximately a mile to a large meadow with two large yurts. Just below the yurts, you'll turn left to follow Coyote Trail downhill, continuing on the dirt road until it's intersection with Babbitt again—turn left and run it home to the Lodge.

Ponderosa pine, aspen, mule deer, elk, black bear, prairie dogs, and lots of wildflowers in the summer!

The Arizona Nordic Village, formerly the Flagstaff Nordic Center, has been in operation as a cross country ski area since 1984. Currently owned and operated by Babbitt Ranches, it offers year-round camping in yurts, cabins, and RV/car camping sites. Trails are open and free to access through the summer season, and trail passes are sold for winter access when the trails are groomed.