Synchronized

Rolling synchronized snow angels to show the snow gods our appreciation of the recent snow!

"Rub a dub dub, we approve of this snow tub!" demonstrate the silly pair stopping to roll
synchronized snow angels on the trail.

It was overcast with light snowfall and temperatures around 15F for this morning's outing. That is one indication that the snow angel event was to show appreciation of new snow this late in April (as opposed to the usual rolling to cool off :)

We have been in this wonderful pattern of "nightly light snow" for the last 10 days with a big dump of 18+ inches Thu through Fri at higher elevations. Our hope this morning was that the recent snow had been enough to bring the lower French Gulch Trail back to life. The lower elevations of French Gulch were dry (not even muddy) with no snow just 12 days ago. Could we get one last run in the gulch with the recent snow?

Yes!!!!

Just enough snow cover in lower French Gulch for one last outing in the gulch this season. Yay!

Why is French Gulch one of our favorite trails? Moose! There is a growing moose population in the gulch and Max & Zorro love to go "moosing". You do not always see moose on French Gulch outings; but you are pretty much guaranteed to either get a "whiff of moose" or encounter moose tracks. Today had the wonderful aroma of moose filling Max & Zorro's noses.

The only thing that can bring Max & Zorro to a halt on the trail is moose. Both stopped in unison
here as I could see their noses twitching as they stared into the trees and gulch to our right.
Synchronized Moose Seeking! Talented :)

We did not see any moose; but Max & Zorro's actions told me the scent was strong and I did see moose tracks to our right in the prior photo.

Moose is the primary treat in French Gulch. The secondary treat? Well, if the lower elevations have enough snow for us to get to the upper elevations then we get to enjoy the incredible conditions up high!

Happy tails in the air as we trot along laying fresh tracks in 6+ inches of snow in upper
French Gulch.

A successful return to skijor French Gulch (for probably the last time this season): 8.7 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2016/2017 Season to Date: 140 days on the trails covering 1173.5 miles with 124,900 feet of elevation climbed.