POW Day

Breaking trail in 6-8 inches of fresh powder in October. Wow!

Beautiful shot of the trail breakers with deep tracks in the snow behind then and untouched
perfect snow in front. What an October gem.

The forecast was for 5-9 inches of snow overnight and that is just what we got! We were out just after sunrise on French Gulch to get the new snow all to ourselves. If you've followed in past years, you know French Gulch is a popular place to encounter moose. Yet, our first three outings in the gulch this season did not have any moose entertainment. Finally, this morning brought us some moose entertainment as a fresh smelling set of moose tracks crossed the trail in front of us.

"Sniff, sniff - these are fresh!' states track inspecting Rudy.
"I know, let me in the tracks!' adds Jack.
"Yes - fresh indeed! says Zorro the seasoned moose expert.

You can see the moose tracks coming from the left then across the trail and into the trees to the right? How did I know the moose went from left to right? Well, my three partners TOLD me! All three dipped their noses in the tracks and wanted to go right :)  We failed to see the moose; but it was nice to finally get some fresh tracks in French Gulch to keep our moose hope alive.

After an aerobic time breaking trail out the gulch, it was time to turnaround. But, first...

"Are we turning around? Wait, must roll first!" demonstrates goofball Jack (nice form though).
"DUNK - let me cool my head first!' adds head dunking Rudy.
"Kids, I tell ya, kids these days!!!!" comments Zorro.

Once we got the kids turned around, it was time to run back to the trailhead. The only tracks on the trail were the ones we laid on the way out. When all three could fit in the set track they would. But, when the track was too narrow, we had polite Jack & Rudy. They gave the elders (Zorro & me) the set track while putting themselves in the side powder. Nice to preserve the elders and exercise the youngsters in the powder :)

Zorro & I in the set track, Jack & Rudy making their own trail in the side powder.

Today's fun video clip goes along with the prior photo. We start will all three using the set track as best as they can until we transition to Zorro & I "in track" with Jack & Rudy setting a new track in the right powder. Preserve the elders and exercise the youngsters :)

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

End of an October trail breaking gem, time for end of run treats:

"Ready!!!" state focused Zorro & Jack.
"I am ready too, even though I look like I'm in la-la-land!" adds Rudy.

We only had time for a short outing this morning, but it was an aerobic trail breaking treat: 4 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 16 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 6 days on the trails covering 29.1 miles with 3000 feet of elevation climbed.