Almost

Starting this morning in dim light as the rising sun has not got to our trail yet!

Zipping along in the trail we set yesterday. Wheeee!

Today's outing was similar in location to yesterday but completely transformed from the deep trail breaking we experienced all day yesterday. We started the day, as the prior photo shows, on the trail we set yesterday. It was powder plowing/breaking trail yesterday but gentle "reuse the trail we made" today. 

Our goal was to get on the upper elevation trails of what will become Gold Run Nordic Center once enough snow collects to groom. We were breaking trail on these paths yesterday too. But, as I expected, the nordic center ran their snowcat on the trails yesterday with the intent to pack and preserve what snow we have. There's almost enough snow for them to really groom; but for now it's snowcat tracks on wide trails:

Galloping along in snowcat tracks on what will become a super fast
and fun groomed nordic trail very soon!

We did two laps around the highest loop at the nordic center. After lap 2, I needed a quick break to catch my breath before continuing on. Well, I stopped....

"Stop, Drop and ROLL!" goes snow angel rolling Jack.
"WOOOO! Let's GOOOOO!" belts wooing Rudy.

We then exited the upper loop (which still had not seen any morning sun) and came out onto a fast & sunny final trail to end the day.

Fun in the sun!

Now come along for today's video highlight. This trail will become a groomed nordic speed track very soon. But, until then, it's riding like a well-used but rough & choppy backcountry trail. No complaints here, we are so thrilled that more terrain is opening up with our recent snow. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Back to the trailhead for end of run treats. Jack & Rudy found a mini snow wall to climb for treats; but it was high enough that I could hand them out standing instead of kneeling, yay!

Smiles all around from the happy, happy sled dogs!

What a wonderful "backcountry outing" on what will soon become a groomed nordic speed track: 9.3 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 26 days on the trails covering 210.1 miles with 20,300 feet of elevation climbed.