Moosing and Zooming

Lots of "moosing in the backcountry" and then "zooming in the groomed country" on today's action packed skijor!

Moose track trough crossing the trail!
"These tracks are VERY fresh!" say the moose track inspecting trio!

In the prior photo it is hard to see, but the trail goes straight in front of us whereas the moose track trough crossed perpendicular to the trail. The trail is hard to see because of wind blown snow cover, but it was packed under the surface. As we approached the perpendicular moose tracks, notice that Zorro hopped off trail, through deep snow and into the trough very quickly. Young Jack & Rudy did not notice the moose trough until they were right upon it. Zorro is still the most proficient moose tracker in our pack!

I finally got everyone to abandon the moose trough and continue on the set trail. But, within 20-30 yards and the moose had circled back to walk parallel to the trail! In the next photo you can see the narrow set trail in front of Jack. All three originally hopped in the parallel moose trough. Jack quickly hopped back onto the set trail realizing you could follow the moose just as well from the packed surface. Zorro and Rudy, on the other hand, were determined to immerse themselves in the moose trough as long as possible :)

"Hey guys, it's easier to go up here and the tracks still smell as good!" states Jack.
"Nope, I'm a moose!" says Rudy immersing himself in moose.
"Me too, I'm trying the fresh smelling trough!" adds Zorro trying to keep afloat in the moose trough.

Mr. Moose eventually wandered away from the set trail. We all paused for a moment to get our bearings....

"Phew, moosing sure is good exercise and FUN!" say the happy trio catching their breath.

Despite the very fresh smelling moose tracks intersecting and paralleling the trail, we never did see the big fellow. But, get this... As soon as we got home, we found a moose snacking in our neighbor's yard. We found the moose!

"MOOSE!!!!!" say the intense trio watching a mother moose from our deck
(there was a baby in the yard too, just too hard to see in the photo).

Anyway, back to skijoring. After some intense moosing in the backcountry, we eventually connected onto the groomed trails of Gold Run Nordic Center. Everyone was still very juiced from the moosing and the result: Rudy hit 23 MPH skijoring for the first time in his young life.

Hovering sprinting sled dogs. Zoom.

Come along for the fun as we hit 23 MPH as a skijor trio for the first time ever. Wheeeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Moosing to zooming - what a fun day: 4.8 miles traveled with 350 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 23 MPH.

2018/2019 Season to Date: 47 days on the trails covering 254.4 miles with 22,700 feet of elevation climbed.