Narrow Trails Day

We spent the majority of today's skijor outing laying fresh tracks or breaking trail on very narrow backcountry trails - wheeee!

"Really? So soon? Why?" question Max & Zorro as they peek back at me when I called
out "time to turn around". 

After a Sunday of lots of new snow, we had a great time exploring fresh powder on the lesser used trails on Baldy Mountain.

About 1/2 the time found us breaking trail in 8-10 inches of snow on "single file trails".
It was a great workout taking turns in lead in the deep snow.

About 1/4 of the time found us laying fresh tracks in "single file trails" with
extremely high snow walls.

One of the benefits of a "snow day on Baldy" is taking a ride on the Nightmare on Baldy Trail. This trail earned its name because it is a narrow & occasionally steep mountain bike single track that winds through the trees on the north face of Baldy. We have to have powder on the nightmare for me to attempt it - this keeps the speeds down as the Siberians have to work :-)

Entering the top of the Nightmare on Baldy Trail. Notice the high snow walls on one side
of the trail and the narrow path through the trees that characterizes most of the trail.

Just about done traversing nightmare - the trail opens up briefly on the last section to
allow us to jog shoulder-to-shoulder.

While the majority of the day was breaking trail or single file skijoring, we did get to enjoy one fast and wide straightaway on the main Baldy Mountain Trail - wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

The complexity of the terrain and depth of snow kept our mileage less than normal today. But, no complaints here - powder days are always a blast! 7.2 miles with 750 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 19 MPH.

2013/2014 Season to Date: 67 days on the trails covering 571.9 miles with 67,200 feet of elevation climbed.