Endless Tracks

We found a set of snowmobile tracks to follow for miles & miles & miles at Harrison Creek atop Rabbit Ears Pass this morning.  Zoom!

A pair of snowmobile tracks making for an endless skijor
with Jack & Rudy this morning!

We were on the same trail this morning as yesterday. But, yesterday we were first tracks on the trail laying fresh tracks and breaking trail for an aerobic workout. This morning, though, we found a set of snowmobile tracks on the same trail. So, we switched from yesterday's "trail setting aerobics" to an endless marathon following the set tracks today.

Nice shot of flying Jack & Rudy with some nice views of the rest
of Colorado below at to our right.

There are still early season hazards sprinkled throughout the terrain. But, Jack & Rudy are perfect at navigating around hazards. I rarely have to say anything as they automagically pick the right path to avoid hazards.

Yikes, look at that early season puddle hazard!
Yay for Jack & Rudy automatically drifting far left to avoid the hazard
and keep the human on skis moving along!

Today's video highlight? Well, a fun glimpse into our endless skijor following this pair of snowmobile tracks for miles and miles. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

We did stop twice today. Once was to turnaround...

"Turnaround = roll around!" demonstrates the silly kids.
Nice face full of snow Jack!

Our second stop? Well, moose tracks!!!!!

"Must pause to inspect the forest for moose!" declares Jack &  Rudy
pausing to glare into the trees where a moose had crossed and exited
the trail recently.

What a fun outing this morning, just ask Jack & Rudy!

"Fun, fun, fun!" says the happy kids.
"How about those treats?" suggests focused Zorro.

A nice, long outing following snowmobile tracks all morning long: 10.6 miles traveled with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 9 days on the trails covering 65.7 miles with 6400 feet of elevation climbed.

Full Z

A wonderful morning for a full skijor with super fun elder Zorro! Go, Z, Go!!!

Whee, riding behind the power three!!!!!

If you've followed along all year, you know that Zorro has joined the team for every skijor this season but, as the season has progressed and he is approaching 12 years old, he only does a partial outing on most days. You can tell by his expressions and mannerisms that he is just fine with the partial outings and is happy to let Jack, Rudy and I go out for longer stints on most outings (who wouldn't want the 2 year olds more exercised!!!).

I watch Zorro on every outing to see what energy level he is at. It is clear when he wants a short outing and it is clear when he is READY to go!!! He had a very short stint yesterday due to deep snow and I could see from the start that Zorro was ready for a full "Zorro Run" this morning!

We did an out & back in French Gulch on what was (mostly) perfect terrain. The sides of the trail were well packed from other skiers while the middle of the trail was a little softer from lesser use. The fun trio took turns all morning with one running the soft middle and the other two on the firmer sides.

Zorro in the middle above. Jack in the middle below:

Jack in the middle, keep on trucking :)

I did say those magic words for Jack and Rudy above: out & back. Yep, it was the usual goofy kids at the turnaround point of the out & back :)

"I'm not going to look, I know what they are doing!" says cute Zorro to me.
"Rub a dub dub!" demonstrates the turnaround 'stop, drop & roll' twins.

Zorro in the middle above, then Jack in the middle. Ok, time for middle Rudy:

Rudy's turn in the middle, on we go, go, go!

With elder Zorro along for the entire outing, we took a second break (in addition to the turnaround break) to make sure we were not overdoing it with the fun guy. Well, what do you think of Zorro's day?

"Jeez dad, I'm crushing it today!" says super happy Zorro.
"Yea, he's the monster Z we all love!" adds happy Rudy.
"I agree, let's get this team going!" adds happy, but lined-out Jack ready to go :)

From all the pictures above, you might be thinking, "I need to get my skis and get out to French Gulch too!" Well, this trail was dead (down to dirt/mud) just 1 week ago. We've had some nice snowfall over the past week to bring French Gulch back to life; but it still has plenty of "I was just dead" reminders :)

Here we are riding atop a high snow wall to avoid the "I was just dead" reminder to our right!

Where's Jack? Ha, look closely, you can see his bushy white tail just
ahead of Rudy. Big Rudy is eclipsing the rest of Jack; but he is out
there leading the way past this obstacle.

Ok, how about a video highlight of the great and NOT great conditions? Come watch as we are cruising along the perfect trail until we come around a corner to a choppy & icy danger patch. Note that all it takes is an "Easy" or two from me for everyone to slow at the danger patch. Then a few "Good Easy" statements and we cross gently. Once to the other side, it is restart and GO! Now, keep this in mind: any one (or any combination) of the three is strong enough to push forward and propel me onto the ice patch with a certain wipeout. But, no, the PERFECT trio all crosses cautiously until the full team is over. What perfect partners!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Finally, ending the day's run with the usual "all smiles" from the sled dog trio!

Whee - a fun day with Zorro! Super Z!

A great day going out & back with Zorro and showcasing my perfect trio preserving the human over dangerous obstacles! 5.4 miles traveled with 400 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 20 MPH.

2019/2020 Season to Date: 148 days on the trails covering 1013.6 miles with 92,000 feet of elevation climbed.

Catching Air

Our first "catching air" shot of this young 2015/2016 season!

When the sun is at the right angle, Max & Zorro produce some beautiful "catching air" shots
as they fly along the trails!

This morning was our first outing to Rabbit Ears Pass this season. How was it? Well, look at the prior photo and the next two...

Out-stretched sprinters laying fresh tracks as we fly along the trail.

Kicking up powder as we continue to be the first tracks on the trail this morning! Wheeee!

After those first 3 photos, you are probably thinking, "Wow, what great conditions!" Well, now for the truth. Those 3 photos are from the upper shelf of our outing and, as you can see, the conditions were perfect up high. Yet, we had to get there before perfection. The mid shelf was dominated by "puddle obstacles" and you do not want to see shallow snow with occasional dirt & rocks on the lower shelf. But, it is still October, so we are perfectly willing to be creative lower to get to excellent conditions higher.

Yikes - look at that puddle taking over the entire trail as we hop to the side to get by.

At our quick break/turnaround point of the outing and...

"Ahhh, rolling snow angels to cool off!" demonstrates Max.
"Sniff, sniff, I sense moose!" exclaims intense Zorro. His 'moose radar' was certainly ON as
he was scanning this marshy meadow for the definite scent of moose.

Great conditions up high with creativity down low on Rabbit Ears lead to a 7.8 mile outing with 900 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 16 MPH.

2015/2016 Season to Date: 6 days on the trails covering 47.8 miles with 5100 feet of elevation climbed.

October Freshies

A great October day laying fresh tracks on Rabbit Ears Pass!

Breaking trail and laying fresh tracks in 5-7 inches of fresh October powder - wheeee!

A storm blew into Colorado Sunday night into Monday morning and we decided to check the snow accumulation at Rabbit Ears Pass. Great decision as we spent the day laying fresh tracks in 2-8 inches of snow all day long!

Another beautiful stretch untouched, fresh snow. You can see the "snow troughs" behind
Max & Zorro showing the tracks they are laying in 4-5 inches of snow.

Before you get too impressed by the first two pictures above, remember that it is still October. That means that "early season conditions" are to be expected at all times. Today's primary obstacles were puddles not yet frozen and covered in snow (as they will be in November). See for yourself:

"Eek! Look at the puddle danger!" exclaims water averse Zorro taking the high road far to the
left to make sure he does not touch any water. "It's just a little water bro," says go-with-the-flow
and power through puddles Max.

The biggest problem with "puddle obstacles" is that it creates wet & heavy snow near any puddle which causes skis to become sticky and hard to glide (you have to lift up/down like snowshoes instead of typical gliding on skis). Oh well, it is better than no snow at all!

Time to turnaround, everyone having fun?

"Great day!" says happy little Zorro.
"Yes, but I think we should keep going!" says 'less than impressed' with the turnaround
command Max.

Quick stop to scrape mud & heavy snow off my skis. Everyone ready to go again?

"Absolutely, glad you fixed those silly skis!" says happy Max.
"Going...." demonstrates 'all business' Zorro.

A great day laying fresh tracks albeit somewhat slowed by sticky snow around the many puddle obstacles: 7.2 miles with 750 feet of elevation climbed.

2014/2015 Season to Date: 5 days on the trails covering 34.8 miles with 4150 feet of elevation climbed.