Prefer Fresh

Nice shot of Breckenridge Ski Resort across the valley from us on this morning's skijor up & down Boreas Pass.

Nice views... of Jack & Rudy :)
Nice views of Breckenridge Ski Resort too.

We started the outing early, still in the shadow of Boreas Mountain, but the sun had come out across valley to show off the ski resort on the way up as well as the way down:

More of Breckenridge Ski Resort in the sun across valley from us.

We are thrilled to report that the "winter gate" for Boreas Pass has officially been closed for the season! That means no vehicles on this trail (not even snowmobiles) until May or June. Just ski and snowshoe tracks for the next 6 months (with the occasional moose, fox, coyote, elk, etc etc track)!

We found the "up track" on Boreas completely packed and used. But, what is different is that all the previous up skiers came back down the same packed trail. I can't blame them, cross country skiing is hard if you are propelling yourself. I'd certainly reuse a set track if by myself!

But, not Jack & Rudy! The prefer shallow powder, if it exists. Unless the untouched snow is too deep, they'll tow me up the set track (getting some anti-friction help from the packed trail) and tow me down the fresh tracks side of the trail. Fun guys!

"We don't need no stinking set track!!!" demonstrates the powerful sled dogs.

It was actually a bit humorous for me to ride behind. We be laying fresh tracks on the untouched right side of the trail. Then, for some reason, the set track would drift over to the right. No problem for Jack & Rudy, once the packed trail drifts right, they just hop in and speed up. When the set track eventually drifted left again, they'd hop back into fresh tracks on the right. Come along for a short video showing you what I mean.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Arriving back at the trailhead - wheeee!

Unfortunately Nancy's camera does not do well w/out sun. 
You can see Jack & Rudy's happy smiles, but not mine.
Guess I need to grow a white beard so my smile will show up like
it does on their white faces!

A quick, but very fun run up/down Boreas this morning: 5.8 miles traveled with 450 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2022/2023 Season to Date: 29 days on the trails covering 231.6 miles with 20,150 feet of elevation climbed.

 

Yay Gate

Yay for the winter gate to Boreas Pass being closed!

"Oh boy, the gate is closed!" says happy Jack.
"Cool!" add Zorro & Rudy.

Why a "yay" for the gate? Well, this means that only skis, snowshoes and fat bikes will be on Boreas from today until May or June! No more vehicles tearing up the terrain driving up the pass. The forest service always closes the gate at some point in November; but today's November 1st closure is the earliest we've ever seen (it has been as late as Thanksgiving some years).

With the gate closed, the conditions on Boreas are wonderful, especially the higher you go up the pass. Here we are zooming along on perfect conditions on November 1st!

Zoom, zoom, zoooom!!!

Come along for a glimpse of perfect November skijoring on Boreas Pass. We had such a fun day cruising up & down Boreas.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

In addition to wonderful skijoring terrain, Boreas is also a great place to get stunning views of Breckenridge Ski Resort across the valley:

Look at all those snow covered ski runs of Breckenridge Ski Resort across the valley.
There have been previous November 1s when the run were still completely brown!!!

Once again, the "turnaround antics" from Jack & Rudy :)

"They really are goofy!" states happy Zorro.
"Rolling, rolling, keep on snow rolling!" adds the snow angel pair.

Another momentary pause on the trail while waited for some traffic (people & dogs) to clear in front of us. Everyone having a good time?

"Yes, yes, yes!" states the happy trio.

Time for some well earned end-of-run pork treats:

"What a fun morning! Now hand them out!" states the focused & happy trio.

Yay for the earliest closing of the Boreas gate we've ever seen, bring on a great winter! 7.2 miles traveled with 650 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 13 days on the trails covering 79.1 miles with 7750 feet of elevation climbed.