October POW Wow

Everyone approve of today's trail breaking skijor?

"I DOOOOO apprOOOOOve!" woos silly Rudy.
"Fun! Love breaking trail!" adds cool Jack.

Today was a real "POW Wow day" at Rabbit Ears Pass. A "POW day"? Well, that's breaking trail in upwards of 15 inches of fresh powder - POW. A "POW Wow day"? Well, it's still October!!! POW Wow!

We made our first outing of the 2021/2022 season on Rabbit Ears Pass today. Snow reports indicated there should be well above 9 inches of fresh snow on the trails. Well, we went to our favorite early season trail at Rabbit Ears, Harrison Creek (this trail tends to get the best early season snow totals), and we were thrilled to find ourselves first on the trail in what eventually ended up being 15+ inches of fresh powder!

Jack and Rudy broke trail out Harrison Creek:

POW go the powder plowing brothers.

Then after a very aerobic 2+ miles of extreme trail breaking, we turned around to run back in the track we set on the way out. 

Jack & Rudy, shoulder to shoulder, as they share the track we
set on the way out.

Now, in 12-15 inches of fresh snow, we certainly do not make a "set track" on the way out. Just two sled dogs and one set of skis cannot set a firm track in this much snow. But, we did carve enough of a trough in the snow for a fun, fun, fun ride back. Come along for the happy hard working kids towing me back through the trough we set on the way out. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

What could compete with the excitement of October trail breaking? Well, how about moose tracks in the deep snow too?!?!?

"Very fresh, smell great!" declares Jack dunking his head in
the moose tracks.
"Tasty indeed!" adds Rudy checking some tracks too.

Extreme October Trail Breaking - POW Wow! Let's get back to the trailhead to tell elder Zorro all about it!

"Yes, yes, 15 inches, we earned end of run treats!" declares all.

How deep was the snow all day today? Well, it slowed Jack & Rudy to a modest 4.1 mile outing. But, this was certainly more work than a 10-15 mile outing on groomed/packed trails! 4.1 miles traveled with 600 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 15 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 5 days on the trails covering 29.7 miles with 3150 feet of elevation climbed.