Foreshadow

Nice shot of Breckenridge Ski Resort in the morning sun across the valley from us!

Pretty view of the sun covered ski runs at the ski resort as we round
a corner in the morning shade of the mountain we are on.

Today's outing came with a big foreshadow from Jack & Rudy. We were gliding along a nice nordic trail when the kids came to a stop and took their attention off trail. I know from their body language (and seeing their noses twitch) that they caught the scent of moose. But, there was a constant breeze this morning, so the moose could be pretty far away and still have its scent flowing to Jack & Rudy.

"Sniff, sniff - we smell moose in the area!" says the professional moose
seekers.

It so happens, if you follow Jack & Rudy's gaze in the prior photo, across the meadow in front of them and through the next set of trees is the trail we will be on in 10-15 minutes from this point. So, off we went away from the "direction of scent" originally before turning into those far away trees in the prior photo.

Once we got into the trees, sure enough, MOOSE TRACKS all over the trail! 

A two-toed moose print at the tip of my left ski with more flowing
down the trail in the direction we are going!

Now come along for the video counterpart to the prior photo. Watch as Jack & Rudy are very "moose juiced" and have it pedal to the metal through this whole clip despite my snowplowing as we near any corner to be ready to throw myself on the ground to stop if we encounter a moose. A pair of moose tracks (thus two moose) are on the trail this entire clip (and beyond, I had to stop the video at some point :) Luckily, we never encountered the actual moose; but Jack & Rudy were sure juiced by what have been pretty fresh moose tracks!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

All that energy expended seeking moose means you really need to roll and cool off at any pause during the outing:

"Roll to cool the jets then restart the moose quest!" says the goofs.

Eventually, the moose tracks finally went off trail and into the forest. With our moose quest over, it was time to head towards the trailhead. We were thrilled to be first tracks on the freshly groomed main trail. Wheeee!

First tracks on the groomie zoomie - wheeee!

Nothing like a little moose juice to energize the day!

"Yes, we've earned our end of run treats from an intense moose quest!" says
the focused & happy pair.

Today's tally: 8.7 miles traveled with 800 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 22 MPH.

2024/2025 Season to Date: 48 days on the trails covering 358.9 miles with 33,100 feet of elevation climbed.

Dusting

We got an early morning dusting of snow allowing us to lay fresh tracks on the upper elevation trails at Breckenridge Nordic Center this morning!

Look at those wonderful "fresh tracks" in the snow behind Jack & Rudy.
Oh yeah, nice views to our right.

It was actually a warm day as temperatures were above freezing all outing long. With temps above freezing, I knew what I'd get from the comedians at a turnaround point of the outing:

"So hot! Must roll snow angels to cool off!" demonstrates the comedians
who took themselves off trail to get deeper snow to roll in :)

We did two different out & back segments at the highest elevations (and furthest from the trailhead) at the nordic center. Since we were far from the trailhead, we were able to enjoy the dusting all to ourselves and lay fresh tracks both directions on each out & back. Here's the fun kids catching air on one of our return legs:

Whee - zipping along with our "out tracks" to our left. With wide nordic
trails, we were able to lay fresh tracks both directions. 

Notice you can see a bit of groomer corduroy in the prior photo. We were near treeline in that photo and there was a gusting wind blowing the new snow off parts of the trail.

But, once we got back down into thicker trees, the fresh snow was protected from the wind. Come along for today's video fun as we are laying fresh tracks in the fun dusting of new snow. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

I mentioned we did two different out & back segments. Well, that meant we turned around twice. I knew it would be snow angels both times from Jack. I actually expected two snow angels from Rudy too since it was warm. But, don't ever think you can figure Rudy out - he's the constant wildcard! 

"Still warm, still rolling!" goes consistent Jack.
"WOOOO! You thought you had me figured out! No way! WOOO!"
sings wildcard Rudy.

Finally, back to the trailhead and we have happy kids atop a snow wall for ent of run treats with some nice mountain views in the background.

Treats with smiles and a view :)

A surprise dusting of new snow allowing us to lay fresh tracks most of the morning: 9.5 miles traveled with 1100 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 21 MPH.

2024/2025 Season to Date: 46 days on the trails covering 341.5 miles with 31,500 feet of elevation climbed.

Instigator

Oh Rudy, Rudy, Rudy...

"I've got you PINNED! Play with me!" announces instigator Rudy to Jack.
"Stop bugging me you little twerp!" responds mellow Jack.

Yes, Rudy the Instigator was up to his usual antics on the trail today. While Jack will occasionally start the unauthorized game of tag & wrestle on the trail, it is Rudy who starts probably 90% of all such episodes. Sure, Jack usually falls for it and responds back - how could you ignore the little pest?!?!?

Rudy's shenanigans aside, it was a wonderful fast day to skijor the wide trails at Gold Run Nordic Center. Come along for the fun - here we go!

Great shot of super aerodynamic Jack as we are flying along this stretch of trail. It is usually Rudy who has his ears pinned against his head for aerodynamics; but Jack knows the drill too :)

"Ears tucked, no slowing me now!" demonstrates Jack!

Then it was time to fly along open straightaways:

Flying Rudy next to outstretched Jack. Fast!

But, then I paused to check our time out on the trails. It was only a momentary pause, but a pause is a pause, just ask Jack & Rudy!

"Stop, drop & roll!" goes the snow rolling goofs taking an opportunity
to roll and cool their jets during my momentary pause.

Ok, pause from the human over, time to resume the theme of the day:

Zoom - and there is Rudy with his usual aerodynamic ear tuck :)

Speaking of "fast & fun"- come along for today's video highlight. Watch as we are really flying along this stretch of trail. Look closely and you can see very light active snowfall. Sure it's only a few scattered flakes; but all snow is good snow!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

Finally, back to the trailhead to share end of run treats from atop a nice snow wall:

"Ready!" says Jack focused on the treat bag in my right hand.
"Instigator? Huh, I have no idea WHAT you are taking about!" suggests mellow Rudy (haha).

Today's skijor tally: 8.8 miles traveled with 700 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 23 MPH (it felt even faster to me, but that is what the GPS reported).

2024/2025 Season to Date: 45 days on the trails covering 332.0 miles with 30,400 feet of elevation climbed.