Still Snowing

Another 6 to 18 inches of new snow on our short trail breaking outing this morning! Mayuary!!!

Love this shot of the powder plowing trio. We are in upwards of 18 inches of powder
here as the trio launches themselves (and me) over and through the May Powder!

Our plan for the day was to return to the same trails we used yesterday. After an aerobic outing setting the trail in 5-10 inches of snow yesterday, we were expecting to reuse yesterday's tracks for a more gentle outing today. Well, so much for that plan. We had only a trace of new snow at our house; but once we got to yesterday's trails we found 6 inches of new snow at the trailhead. The further we went, the deeper it got until we were breaking trail in over 18 inches of snow. This was all new snow in the last 24 hours as we were same trail we set a track yesterday!

Come along for the start of today's run. Do you see any existing tracks in front of us? Exactly, me either even though we set a fresh track on this EXACT trail just 24 hours ago. POW!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Within a 1/2 mile of the start and we had transitioned from 6 inches of snow to 12-15 inches - in just 1/2 a mile distance!

A good view of the snow depth around Jack as Zorro & Rudy are hopping and
plowing through.

At our turnaround point and another good view of the snow depth from Zorro & Rudy. Jack is demonstrating what a great snow angel you can roll in 12+ inches of new snow :)

"Wow - deep out here today!" says happy Zorro.
"No kidding - glad winter is back! April was a long summer!" adds young Rudy who is now
convinced our warm April was actually summer and we are now back to winter :)
"Ahhh!!!!!" says snow rolling Jack.

Swan Valley is known for its moose population. At one point, Jack & Rudy leaped off trail to our left. Given the frequency of moose in this area, Zorro & I fell for the kids' antics and drifted left to look too:

"Wildlife this way!" declares the youngsters.
"Hmmm, let me see...." adds Zorro.

What did we see? Well, nothing! Jack & Rudy are still young enough that they both are enthralled by every form of wildlife. I joke that they react to everything from a moth to a moose...

"Nothing of any value! Children, cannot believe I fell for their false alarm!" declares Zorro,
abandoning the silly kids and their false alarm.
"No wait, I think we see a moth!" adds the over reactive kids :)

People ask now and then if Zorro rolls snow angels - especially given the frequency of Jack & Rudy with Zorro typically just looking on. Well, yes, Zorro enjoys the occasional roll in the snow too, just not every single outing like Jack :)

"Hey, I enjoy a roll to cool off now & then too!" demonstrates Zorro.
"What a silly big brother!" adds the kids.

Another day in May where we were slowed to a crawl by incredibly deep snow! 4.4 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a "trail breaking" top speed of 12 MPH.

2018/2019 Season to Date: 122 days on the trails covering 706.3 miles with 66,300 feet of elevation climbed.