Catch & Pass

Fun shot of the whole team as Jack & Rudy fly on by Nancy on the side of the trail as they tow me to the finish of this morning's skijor.

Whee - the whole team flying on by :)

This morning was quite the contrast between two passes on the same trail. We started by doing and out/back on the main trail at Gold Run Nordic Center. With no recent snow, the groomer had not been on this trail for several days. As a result, the terrain was slick and fast packed from days of use:

Fast packed and slick (even ice in areas) trail. Caution :)

We then left this nordic trail to go play on some backcountry side trails. As we were on these side trails, I thought I heard the groomer out on the nordic trail. Sure enough, after returning from our backcountry tour, we found the nordic trail freshly groomed. What a difference between our first pass and second pass on this same trail!!!!

Yep - it got groomed in between our two passes on this trail.
From slick & fast packed to groomed and soft. Sweet!

I had a feeling we'd catch the groomer along the way and, yes we did! We know the groomer drivers from years of skijoring these trails. When they see us coming from behind, they will stop when the trail gets wide enough for us to safely pass. The drivers always smile & wave at us and I always wave back. Jack & Rudy are just as friendly and they typically flash the drivers their pretty faces as they go on by too :)

"Hi dude  - thanks for the groom!" says Jack & Rudy flashing the groomer
driver an approving glance as we pass on by.

Ok, so now let's put together the video of this whole fun interaction. We start out the clip flying along the wonderful, freshly groomed trail. Then we catch the groomer and slow to a trot behind him. Shortly after the trail widens and the driver stops to let us pass on by. So fun to watch Jack & Rudy giving the driver approving glances as we pass. Finally, once in front of the groomer it is time to floor it again. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Along this route, we get to a turnaround point named Jumbo Overlook. Some pause to take in the nice views at the overlook. Some pause to read the historical marker (describing the 1800s mining history of this location). Some pause to "stop, drop and roll" paying no attention to the views or history :)

"We'd rather stop, drop & roll than take in views or history!" declares
the snow rolling goofballs.

Finally, back to the trailhead with a nice snow wall to climb for end of run treats:

"Ready!" declares the happy, happy kids.

A fun outing going from slick & fast packed to soft & groomed on the same trail!!! 8.4 miles traveled with 700 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 38 days on the trails covering 316.4 miles with 30,200 feet of elevation climbed.