Single Track

Cruising behind Zorro on the Mountain Pride Mine single track skijor trail. Wheeee!

Zoom, zoom, zoom we go...

Single track trails are always fun and challenging to skijor with Zorro. By "single track" I refer to a trail where the set track is only 2 skis (or 2 snowshoes) wide with powder outside of the track on both sides. As a result, the "set trail" is only 1 person wide (aka "single track"). All is fine if you are a solo human and riding in the single track. But, I have the additional engine named Zorro who wants to propel me along the single track much faster than a human was meant to go. How to proceed? Well, I ride with one ski in-track and one ski out-of-track. The in-track ski is the accelerator - shift my weight to this ski and we speed up. The out-of-track ski is the decelerator - shift my weight to this ski to add friction to reduce speeds. Note in the photo above that my left ski is in-track while my right ski is in powder out-of-track.

With that background... On to today's video highlight. Come along as Zorro tows me along the fun single track. If you watch closely you can see me alternating skis in versus out of track as we weave through forest. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Zorro is always fascinated by old, abandoned mining cabins we encounter in the forest. They always grab his attention and we joke that he is our realtor looking for a backcountry hut for us to move into. Well, Nancy jokes that she has 4 rules for Zorro's realty hunt and this hut below seems to satisfy them all. (1) Roof - check! (2) Walls - check! (3) Running water - look at all the snow to melt and it will run when melted! (4) Heat - look at all the free firewood around the cabin!!!

"Meets all the requirements, let's move here for 'skijoring out the front door!" declares realtor
Zorro as he gives the property an approving glance as we trot by.

Done with the backcountry single tracks around Mountain Pride Mine and we connected onto the wide and popular Baldy Mountain Trail. Time to really uncork the skijoring engine:

Flying!!!

Done with the day's outing as we come back to the trailhead to hook up little Jack for a short sprint to end the day:

All smiles, all speed, all fun!

Skijor outing complete and time for the 'end-of-run pork treats' for the hard working sled dogs. Take a look at the role reversal in the following photo. Zorro, the usually composed adult, getting a little pushy while Jack, the wild puppy, is the composed & patient one! Haha, that was funny to write :)

"Get with it! I've been working hard!" declares pushy Zorro.
"Have you ever seen such patience & composure? I deserve extra!" declares puppy Jack.

Nice day cruising the backcountry around Mountain Pride Mine on Baldy Mountain: 6.1 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2017/2018 Season to Date: 36 days on the trails covering 263.3 miles with 23,500 feet of elevation climbed.

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