Freshies

Exploring an old 1800s mining cabin with my pals on this morning's backcountry skijor.

"Cool old cabin!" says happy Jack looking back to me.
"Checking if there is any gold hiding under the snow!" adds Rudy
the miner :)

The forests in & around Breckenridge are littered with old 1800s mining cabins in various states of deterioration and/or restoration. Some, like the one above, have received some restoration help from the local Open Space & Trails Department while others are left to slowly deteriorate. Jack & Rudy always have fun sniffing and exploring around all the cabins.

Today's skijor was a fun day of laying fresh tracks in the backcountry. We started the day laying fresh tracks in about 2-3 inches of fresh snow:

Laying fresh tracks in the morning's untouched new snow.

The further (and higher) we went, though, the deeper and deeper it got. Here's a cool shot of the kids blasting through what was about 4-5 inches of fresh snow:

Fun shot of powder plowing Jack & Rudy and cool view of my right
ski floating over the fresh snow with my left ski slightly buried in snow.

Further and higher.... deeper and deeper...

The powder kids in now what is about 6-7 inches of fresh snow! Wheeee!

Now come along for a wonderful & peaceful backcountry skijor video clip. We are laying fresh tracks in new snow over old snowmobile tracks for most of the clip. You'll also see a line of wildlife tracks in front of Jack for most of the clip - these were either fox or coyote tracks. As the clip comes to a close, the snowmobile tracks disappear and we transition to some nice, deeper snow to continue the peaceful glide. What a pleasant day far away from civilization! You'll also see another deteriorating mining cabin to our left about 15 seconds into the clip; this cabin is in much worse shape than the one in the first photo as it has been left to deteriorate naturally.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Along this route, we also get some nice views of Breckenridge Ski Resort across the valley from us. Today was a pretty unique & interesting view of the ski resort. The tops of the mountains were blocked by low clouds while the base of the mountains was not:

An interesting effect in this shot of the ski resort:
ski runs down low with missing mountain tops up high :)

A fun outing with increasingly deeper and deeper snow - what a way to earn end of run treats:

"Love laying fresh tracks!!!!" says snow loving Jack & Rudy
awaiting treats from atop a nice snow wall.

A very peaceful outing with lots of fresh, fun snow: 8.9 miles traveled with 1100 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2023/2024 Season to Date: 81 days on the trails covering 678.0 miles with 65,400 feet of elevation climbed.

Dunk

Happy kids on this morning's wonderful skijor!

"Having a blast!!!!" declares the happy, happy pair :)

We spent the morning touring the upper elevation trails at Breckenridge Nordic Center. We've had on & off snow for the past 3 days, so were thrilled to find a fresh layer of new snow over the wide nordic trails to safely uncork the Jack & Rudy skijoring engine. Wheeee!

Pedal to the metal for Jack & Rudy. What a wonderful trail with a light
layer of untouched new snow as far as the eye can see!

Cornering with these two impressive kids is always a challenge for me! Jack & Rudy can take corners very tight and fast. I, on the other hand, really have to ride the skis hard to try and corner with them. Cross country skis are not designed for tight corners like Jack & Rudy :) I often find myself drifting out left or right behind them as I try to keep pace through corners!

Jack & Rudy far right as we are coming out of a tight right on the trail while
I am drifting far, far left despite riding the skis as hard as I can to keep with them!

As we were cruising along the trail, Jack & Rudy suddenly hopped off trail and started to "dig to China" in the snow. What were they searching for? Well, knowing these two, it was one of three things deep in the snow: an animal (small rodent), an animal part (deer/elk/moose carcass or limbs) or some food a person had accidentally dropped long ago and was now buried. I was shocked when they came up for air and had nothing in their mouths! So, must have been a live rodent deep down that scurried away :)

Where's Rudy's front half? He's digging DEEP!
Jack is joining in too (although not as deep as Rudy yet!).

That's an impressive dunk for neither of them to come up with anything in their mouths!

Ok, back to skijoring. This peaceful video clip is fun for me to watch because we usually do this particular trail in the other direction than we are going today. But, Jack & Rudy are quite flexible, they can flip directions and go any direction on any trail.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

What a peaceful outing as we did not run into another soul all morning long! Time to celebrate with retired mentor Zorro:

"Ready!" says wonderfully focused Zorro.
"Great day!" adds happy Jack.
"Serve them up!" declares slurping Rudy ready for 'end of run' treats.

Peaceful morning with Jack & Rudy surprisingly coming up empty on a deep dunk in the side snow: 10.7 miles traveled with 1200 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 95 days on the trails covering 792.7 miles with 75,200 feet of elevation climbed.

Fresh Fun

Jack & Rudy know what to do with fresh snow!

"Yep. Fresh snow means 'stop, drop & roll'!" demonstrates the silly kids.

That's not exactly what I had in mind. Let's try it again... Jack & Rudy know what to do with fresh snow:

"I guess he wants us to tow him through the freshies. What do you think
little bro?" Jack says to Rudy as we cruise along.
"Ok, laying fresh tracks is about as good as a 'stop, drop & roll'!" demonstrates
Rudy.

Now that's what I meant! It was a wonderful morning to head out to the backcountry and lay fresh tracks on lesser used trails far away from town on a busy Saturday morning. Despite the silly first photo above, Jack & Rudy were in a real groove laying fresh tracks almost all morning long!

Endless untouched snow to lay fresh tracks for miles & miles!

We skijored a large loop in the backcountry to enjoy the freshies. But, we were running ahead of schedule to meet up with Zorro & Nancy, so we added an "out & back" on a side trail intersecting the loop. So, the only tracks we encountered all morning were our own on the little out/back addition to the loop:

Whose tracks are those? Our tracks!!! Pretty shot of the peaceful terrain as
we run back in our 'out tracks' on the way back. 

But, the vast majority of the day found us laying fresh tracks all the way. Come along for a video glimpse into the fun. I was actually quite surprised to see how much the camera (and, thus, me) was bouncing around during part of this clip. The ride felt very smooth in person. I guess I was just too "in tune" riding behind Jack & Rudy to notice me bouncing along! 

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Finally, a happy meet up with retired mentor Zorro for 'end of run' treats!

"I see the treat bag!" declares Zorro watching my right hand coming
out of the pocket with the treats.
"Yep, I see them too!" adds fun Jack.
"I'm chilling back here until the treats are REALLY out!" says mellow Rudy!

What a great way to spend a busy Saturday - laying fresh tracks deep in the backcountry! 8.3 miles traveled with 1000 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 85 days on the trails covering 700.2 miles with 65,700 feet of elevation climbed.

Sightseeing

Great morning to get away from the busy weekend crowds and take in the views from the backcountry!

Pretty shot of the mountains and ski runs of Breckenridge Ski Resort
across the valley from us. Nice shot of cruising Jack & Rudy too :)

We are in the middle of the busy, busy MLK 3-day weekend, so we decided to visit some lesser known trails this morning in hopes of enjoying a peaceful skijor in the backcountry without crowds. It was a smashing success. As you'll see in the photos, we were following some snowmobile tracks all morning. But, these were certainly tracks from another local, like us, as we were on pretty secret (i.e., not "tourist published") terrain all morning. This made for a very peaceful skijor with great views along the way!

Here we have a nice shot of Jack & Rudy cruising along as Baldy Mountain is in view to our far right. We spent yesterday on Baldy at & below treeline doing laps as we entertained the crowds.

So peaceful to look at popular & busy Baldy from a distance!

Our route took us deep into the forest to pass by many old "mining cabins" leftover from the mining heydays in the 1800s in & around Breckenridge:

Cool old cabin to the left and Jack & Rudy cruise on by.

Then, out of the trees for a bit and into view comes big Mt. Guyot. This mountain is the home to Georgia Pass and the ghost town of Parkville (once the busiest mining town in Summit County)!

The trees have parted and there is big Mt. Guyot dead ahead!

Finally, we conclude the sightseeing with the video counterpart of the first photo. Come along as I am gliding behind Jack & Rudy as Breckenridge Ski Resort comes into view. Pretty views, pretty mountains and some pretty cool clouds in the sky this morning.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Jack & Rudy's favorite view? Hmmm...

"We love the view of snow in our eyes as we roll snow angels!" declares
the goofball kids.

Back to the trailhead and time to gather the crew for 'end of run' treats. Everybody ready?

"Ready, set, dish out the treats!" exclaims the happy, happy threesome.

What a peaceful way to spend a busy holiday Sunday off the beaten track: 9.2 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 62 days on the trails covering 498.9 miles with 47,100 feet of elevation climbed.

Pickup

The super trio towing me to the finish of this morning's fun run.

Whee - smiles all around!!!

We did a split run at Rabbit Ears Pass similar to yesterday. The kids, Jack & Rudy, and I went out for the first 1/2 and then we met up with Zorro & Nancy to add elder Zorro to the team for the second 1/2 of the outing.

The kids & I did a fast run out & back on the Harrison Creek snowmobile trail. It was fast packed and zooming conditions:

Rudy the sled dog missile on the left.
Jack the hovering sled dog on the right :)

As I said, the kids and I did an "out & back", check out this rare photo:

"See, we CAN turnaround without rolling snow angels, we just
prefer to stop, drop & roll most of the time!" declares the happy
and surprisingly upright silly kids.

Almost all of the way back the Harrison Creek Trail we took a left to connect to the Walton Peak trails and meet up with Zorro and Nancy:

"Whee, we've added Z!" demonstrates the fast trio.

Come along for our pickup and start with Zorro. The clip starts with everyone waiting for me to get myself set. Then an, "Ok, let's go guys!" from me and zoom - out we go up the main Walton Peak Trail. Fun guys!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

After going a little ways up the main trail, we abandoned trails altogether and skijored around the vast spring crust all over Walton Peak:

Love when we can make our own path across vast meadows
of spring crust!

We did an "out & back" on Walton Peak with Zorro. So, the second turnaround of the day for the kids and, well, they're back :)

"Oh these children!" says happy Zorro waiting for the kids' antics to end.
"Oh come on, TWO turnarounds in one outing, what did you expect!" states giddy Jack.
"Impossible to remain upright TWICE in one day!" adds flat Rudy.

Once we got the silly kids upright, it was back to the trailhead to run on by Nancy to end the fun outing:

"Hi mom, bye mom!" says the fast trio towing me on by
Nancy on the side of the trail.

A peaceful day cruising around Rabbit Ears Pass all by ourselves: 7.1 miles traveled with 600 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 123 days on the trails covering 835.0 miles with 76,000 feet of elevation climbed.

Peaceful

Nice shot of the ski runs of Breckenridge Ski Resort across the valley as we cruise along Boreas Pass.

Taking in the views as I glide behind my fun partners.

We did an "out & back" going up and then back down Boreas Pass this morning. We got 1-2 inches of new snow overnight and got out early to be first on the trail at Boreas. But, as you see in the prior photo, the trail was pretty wind blown near the trailhead. There was still a trace of new snow in the wind blown areas, so it was still a safe & peaceful glide on what would have been icy & scary slick conditions yesterday.

But, we know the Boreas trail very well and knew we'd get the treat of laying fresh tracks in the new snow whenever we got out of the windy areas as you see below:

Laying fresh tracks in an inch or so of new snow that was protected
from the wind by the walls on both sides of the trail.

We were first tracks up Boreas and then second tracks (to ourselves) coming back down. The down ride gives a good view of our first tracks up:

Gliding along in the tracks we made on the way up. Such a peaceful morning
on Boreas!

Come along and watch & relax as we glide along Boreas Pass. Zorro, Jack & Rudy really get into a groove jogging along the gentle and endless Boreas trail.

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

It was an "out & back" outing, so we had the usual turnaround entertainment.

"Hi, having a great time this morning!" says super happy Zorro coming back to me.
"I'm having a BLAST too!" declares super happy Rudy.
"Timber.... Dropping into a snow angel!" demonstrates goofy Jack.

Such happy sled dogs as we have smiles all around as we approach the finish to the outing. We've had better front shots, but this was the best I could get showing happy Zorro's face before he got eclipsed by big Rudy. Rudy is the youngest but the BIGGEST in our pack and can eclipse anyone on the outside of him!

Whee - all smiles as Zorro is about to get eclipsed by big dude Rudy.

Finally, look at the patient 2 year olds, Jack & Rudy, knowing Zorro get his 'end of run' treat first (and then Jack and then Rudy). Pretty impressive manners for 2 year olds :)

"My turn!" says ultra-focused Zorro.
"Waiting for me next!" adds patiently waiting Jack.
"Then me!!!" adds cute Rudy knowing to wait his turn!

We only had time for a short outing this morning; but the nice thing about short is that we get to have elder Zorro join in for the entire run: 4.8 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 19 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 118 days on the trails covering 799.6 miles with 73,150 feet of elevation climbed.

Upper Zoomie

Young Rudy's first skijor on the uppermost terrain at Gold Run Nordic Center.

The "upper groomie zoomie" :)

Flying along the winter wonderland of the upper groomie zoomie.

We've been waiting for Rudy to grow enough to take him to the uppermost terrain at Gold Run. Today was the day he got to experience this beautiful section of trail. It is tucked away deep in the forest and you find yourself peacefully gliding through dense snow covered trees. Such fun!

Here we go... Come along for part of the peaceful glide on the upper groomie zoomie:

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Of course, once done with the thick trees of the upper terrain, it is time to drop out of the thick forest and into the morning's bright sun:

Sprint tucked Zorro & Jack with Rudy the flying reindeer to the right. Wheeee!

One quick break during the outing and the usual antics:

"Hi! You have my attention!" says veteran Zorro who almost always acknowledges the musher.
"Yum, has anyone tasted the snowcones over here? Delicious!" declare snow eating Jack.
"I'm still unsure why we EVER stop!" adds silly Rudy (we stop for him :)

Another successful skijor, another 'end of run treats' party:

"You STILL have my attention!" says focused Zorro.
"My turn! Yum again!" adds Jack.
"Look at my patience! So mature!" adds young Rudy.

Rudy's first fun run on the upper groomie zoomie: 3.9 miles traveled with 300 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2018/2019 Season to Date: 34 days on the trails covering 179.4 miles with 15,800 feet of elevation climbed.

Fresh Loop

Doesn't Max's face look absolutely content while rolling a snow angel!

"Completely 'at peace' with my elements!" displays snow rolling Max.
"Me too! You just cannot see my face!" adds snow rolling Zorro.

We had a very serene glide through the forest this morning. We skijored a large loop through trees and open meadows which found us laying fresh tracks in 1-3 inches of new snow all morning long. We did not encounter another soul all day - just my partners and I gliding all over the terrain.

Laying fresh tracks as we wind through one of the dense sections of trees.

When we encountered open meadows with a stiff spring crust, we would open up the throttle and speed along - wheeee!

Galloping along as Max & Zorro leave their footprints in the morning's fresh snow.

We got to one point in the trail and Max & Zorro's "wildlife radar" fired and they had intense interest in the trees to our left. I noticed we were ahead of our scheduled end time, so I let them take me off the main trail and follow their noses into the trees. We did not find the source of their intensity; but not from a lack of trying :)

"Oh boy - he agreed to our 'left' request! Let's go hunting!!!" say the intense pair on full alert
to follow their noses into the trees.

A peaceful day laying fresh tracks on a loop around the forest: 8.4 miles traveled with 1000 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 18 MPH.

2016/2017 Season to Date: 114 days on the trails covering 953.7 miles with 101,300 feet of elevation climbed.

Following

Fresh snow on the ground with light snow falling on our skijor this morning - fun!

Off we go with a layer of fresh snow atop snowmobile tracks. Can you see the light snow falling
around us? Hint: use Zorro's black fur to help see the flakes (I count 6 flakes against his black
background :)

We had no preconceived notions of what path we were going to take at Rabbit Ears Pass this morning. Some days we have a plan and some days we simply see where the terrain and conditions take us. Today we found a solo snowmobile track that went into the forest. We chose to follow that track and had a wonderful morning winding through dense & snow covered trees for miles and miles. Wheeee!

Pretty, huh? Following a solo snowmobile track through a Winter Wonderland Forest.

Eventually the track dropped out of the forest and placed us on top of Rabbit Ears Pass. What a fun tour!

Coming out of the trees into the opening that is the top of Rabbit Ears Pass.

A very serene outing gliding through a Winter Wonderland: 8.2 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation and a top speed of 17 MPH.

2016/2017 Season to Date: 21 days on the trails covering 152.5 miles with 15250 feet of elevation climbed.

Rare Treat

A rare treat today - laying fresh tracks on the popular (east) side of the Sally Barber Mine Trail!

Zooming along enjoying the morning's 2-3 inches of fresh snow to ourselves!

We got a later than usual start to our outing this morning as we were letting the morning snowfall collect since we knew the lower part of our planned French Gulch leg to the outing was in need of new snow. Imagine our exciting surprise when we found the most popular section of the Sally Barber Mine Trail untouched, allowing us the rare treat of laying fresh tracks on this section of trail!

I have a great video of the fun on Sally Barber but youtube is in a fuss today and won't load in a timely fashion. Do people post lots of "Friday the 13th Videos" or something? Oh well, just imagine a video counterpart to the prior photo...

After skijoring the west & east sides of Sally Barber, it was off to French Gulch to skijor out & back on this trail. The out direction was more laying fresh tracks fun:

Fresh snow for our toes! Wheeee!

After cruising up the gulch, it was time to turnaround and be "second tracks to our first tracks" the entire way back. It is amazing how quiet it was on these two popular trails this morning!

Flying back down the gulch in the tracks we laid on the way out.

A fun day had by all:

"Yep - a GREAT time!" expresses happy Max at our turnaround point in French Gulch.
"Hey - down in front! I'm having a great time too!" expresses happy Zorro whose cute smile
is unfortunately eclipsed by Max. I could see his happy face since I am taller than the GoPro
on my chest - trust me, he had the happiest expression!

A great morning with fresh snow bringing the lower section of French Gulch back to life: 8.9 miles with 850 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2014/2015 Season to Date: 99 days on the trails covering 857.4 miles with 91,050 feet of elevation climbed.