The Peaks View Loop: Parhelic Circle Trail Races

Race - Jul 27, 2019

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Run through ponderosa pine forest and intermixed aspen groves, starting on quiet two-track and finishing with some steeper singletrack to spectacular views of the peaks and a glimpse of the Nordic Village's Morning Glory Yurt before hitting a mix of two track and singletrack back down to the lodge. Some rocky, uneven, or more technical sections, but still largely smooth and very runnable track.

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

This loop starts from behind the Arizona Nordic Village Lodge and starts out Babbitt Trail to the south. Take a left onto Wild Turkey and follow it for approximately a mile up to its intersection with Babbitt Trail again. Turn left on Babbitt and make a quick right on Goshawk Trail.

Take Goshawk for approximately a mile and turn right onto a singletrack trail, which will wrap around into a valley between to significant hills—take the trail up the valley where it turns to two track, and bear left at the first intersection to go toward the higher shoulder of the hill.

Continue straight over the shoulder (don't turn left with the more obvious two-track that goes to the high point) and continue down the hillside. Pass the Morning Glory Yurt on the right and continue left onto Goshawk Trail again. About 0.25 miles down the hill turn right to follow the Goshawk downhill route, stay on this until you intersect with Babbitt Trail, where you'll take a left.

Pass the Lupine Yurt and immediately turn right (between the yurt and portable toilet) on Lava Trail (singletrack and doubletrack). Take Lava downhill and take a left Magma Trail. After another 0.25 miles take a right on Aa Trail (two track/dirt road) and follow it downhill to its intersection with Black Bear and Deer Trail—merge here and follow it briefly to the intersection with Babbitt Trail—take a quick right to run back 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. arizonanordicvillage.com/