June Conditions

June 5th and we are still going!

June 5th and we are still all smiles :)

"Maybe we call go ALL summer!!!!!" suggests the happy trio at our turnaround point
of the morning.

Unfortunately, we will not really be skijoring all summer. Yet, we are still on some pretty good June snowpack to get a fun 7+ mile skijor outing. But, we did see the signs of summer frequently on this morning's outing. Come along for a full range of June conditions...

The conditions at the trailhead were EXTREMELY bumpy. The following photo does not do justice to just how bumpy the terrain really was. But, believe me, my legs were burning riding the bumps behind the fast sled dogs! Whew, what a workout at the start!

Bumpy, bumpy, bumpy say my knees and thighs!

The trail got much smoother as we got further from the trailhead. But, then we encountered another sign of summer: exposed ground & narrow snow cover:

Eek to the left and narrow down the middle. Another warm day or two and there will be
no snow on this section of trail!

While still on snow all morning we found ourselves frequently trotting alongside fast flowing water!

"Wow!" says Jack glancing right at the fast flowing river.
"Don't look!" states veteran Zorro.
"Ok, I won't!" adds Rudy ignoring the river.

A lot of sketchy conditions in those last 3 photos. Now take a look at the following "June Gem" - much smoother trail and snow as far as the eye can see! Wheeee!

Hovering Jack & Rudy alongside out-stretched Zorro as we open up the engine on a perfect
for June straightaway!

Today's video fun? Come along as we are cruising far away from the trailhead. As a result, the terrain is only slightly bumpy but notice the many dips we ride up/down along the way. A fun rollercoaster ride :)

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

You really earn your 'end of run' treats towing the human along such a wide range of conditions!

"Me first!" declares focused Zorro.
"Our turn, our turn!" adds the happy youngsters.

Today was definitely our last outing going south towards Buffalo Park at Rabbit Ears Pass. But, if we go north or west there is still PLENTY of good snow! Come back tomorrow for more: 7.1 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 18 MPH.

2018/2019 Season to Date: 129 days on the trails covering 756.8 miles with 70,300 feet of elevation climbed.

Flying Z

You are only as old as you feel. 

Just ask Flying Z!

Beautiful shot of "Flying Z" Zorro the day after his 11th birthday.

We returned to Rabbit Ears Pass for another early morning run on the vast spring crust. As you see in the prior photo, we found some great stretches of firm snow. But, if you look closely, you can see we are on the snowmobile trail (notice the corduroys in the snow left/behind Zorro). We tried to abandon the main trails once and, unfortunately, found the crust off the trails too soft to run. The trails get packed by groomers & snowmobiles all winter so maintain firmness longer than wandering off into open meadows.

Not a big deal, though, there are plenty of snowmobile trails to stick to and get a great run.

Not only did I get a great shot of Flying Z, I also got a nice triple hover husky shot!

The trio in sync and catching air! Wheeee!

Come along and watch the fun in today's short video clip. As you can see, if we stuck to the set trails it was packed and firm. Zoom!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

But, it is June. This is Rudy's first conscious June (he was only 5 months old last June - unconscious puppy brain :) Thus, this is his first time really witnessing and processing the Big Melt of summer.

"Um, what now?!?!" asks maturing Rudy looking back to me
(puppy Rudy would have continued into the water :)

A little further along and the only thing that can bring Zorro to a dead stop on the trails: Fresh Moose Tracks!

"Mmmm, fresh!" declares track inspecting Zorro.
"I agree - delicious!" adds sniffing Rudy.
"Let me see, let me see!" adds Jack swinging in to get a whiff too.

As Zorro would say, "And then we have the children. Kids these days!"

"Haha - they have to roll snow angels to cool off and keep up with me!!!!" declares
happy & satisfied Zorro :)

About as much fun as 3 sled dogs can have on June 2nd - right guys?

"Oh, you BET!" declares the happy & focused trio.

Things are starting to melt here & there, but still plenty of snow to get in a solid June skijor: 6.7 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and an impressive "June top speed" of 21 MPH!

2018/2019 Season to Date: 128 days on the trails covering 749.7 miles with 69,800 feet of elevation climbed.

Zorro Birthday

We had the BEST time celebrating Zorro's 11th birthday this June 1st with a 7.7 mile skijor atop Rabbit Ears Pass. A GREAT time was had by all!

"I am the giddiest birthday boy around!" exclaims super happy Zorro at our turnaround point of
the morning.
"So happy to give this present to our big bro!!!" adds the happy, happy youngsters!

Zorro has had his "toes on snow" every June 1st birthday of his life and he has been skijoring every June 1st since he was 3 (his 1st & 2nd birthdays were "hikes to snow" and the rest have been skijors). Given the time of year, what "type" of skijor we get is always in question. Sometimes we are hiking on dirt/mud between snow patches (bad snow years) while other times we are skijoring a great spring crust (good snow years). Zorro's longest birthday skijor came on June 1st 2016 going 9.4 miles with Max. Today was Zorro's second longest birthday skijor - 7.7 miles on the incredible snowpack atop Rabbit Ears Pass.

Regardless of the conditions, it is always a fun "toes on snow" June 1st. But today was Zorro's second best ever. Come along for a glimpse at the excellent conditions...

Flying sled dog trio as the start of the morning's run. Everyone out-stretched and
flying over the firm spring crust.

We got out plenty early this morning to assure we had a solid crust the entire outing. We were atop Rabbit Ears Pass and skijoring towards Buffalo Park. With such a great crust, we were able to abandon the main trail and fly over & across vast open meadows on the firm spring crust.

Endless meadow of crust as far as the eye can see.
Catching air as we make our own path over the meadows.

Funny shot as we rounded a corner and Jack & Rudy bumped each other.

"Hey! Move left - give me some space!" declares Jack.
"NO! I'll go wherever I want!" responds Rudy.
"Glad I am far to the left!" adds Zorro happily trotting far away from the 'discussion'.

Oftentimes a "bump discussion" like you see above will result in an unapproved wrestlefest on the trail. Luckily, both Jack & Rudy quickly came to their senses and did not take this discussion any further that what you see above. Polite kids to not interrupt Zorro's fun birthday run :)

In honor of sweet Zorro's 11th birthday, come along for a "skijor minute" of incredible conditions atop Rabbit Ears Pass on June 1st!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

What a fun day giving Zorro his second longest birthday skijor ever!

"That was fun! Love ya man!" says Zorro giving my hand a little lick.
"So happy to give our big bro such a great present!!!" adds the youngsters.

An absolute gem of a June day for Zorro's 11th birthday: 7.7 miles traveled with 500 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2018/2019 Season to Date: 127 days on the trails covering 743.0 miles with 69,300 feet of elevation climbed.