Some trails opened up just for me!

Ya!  

We heard Swedetown trails had discontinued grooming, which opened those trails up for trail mutts.   Granted not dogs in general, but certainly trail mutts!

I'm ready and need to run!

We head out on the BC trail.

Bounding was unencumbered here today.

This is great and I'm so fast, I'm just a blot on the horizon.

Ya, but I don't get too far out.
Conservative dogs like me don't stray far.

Mark thinks he needs more wax,
while paws are working just fine.

We take a rest at the warming shack.

Romping here makes me giddy.

When I don't get out much, then I'm really,  really ready to go.

Hunting was great today!

I heard the pack say Back Country conditions
were as good as they can get.

We peered down into the Farmer's Well.
I didn't get too close.

On our way back.

We had such a nice romp today.

A Mud Lake route.

Oh ya, it snowed this week and I heard my pack say "the dog really needs to get out".   What does that mean?   We got out Saturday morning.

Finally! On Saturday morning, we romped at Maasto.

Tomasi Rd. had just enough snow for good gliding,
but was low enough for good bounding.

The crust was excellent, thanks to below zero temps the
past few nights.

On the Vista Trail.

Hunting was good. I smelled a mouse.

Spring is springing on Sidewinder Hill.

Next we headed over to see the Mud Lake loop.

Folks have been skiing here!

Just enough snow.

Hey! I spy a gray squirrel.

Maybe I can shake him out of the tree,
and down into my mouth.

It started getting hot. 40 is too warm for a winter dog.

Now we headed into Churning Rapids.

Snow is still great.

So is hunting.

Now down towards my favorite Swedetown Creek.

Whew! I think it's getting hotter.

 

The water level has come down with the cold nights.

As I was om top hunting and
the snow rolled down.

We relaxed by the babbling creek for a bit.

Then we headed up the Pine Loop bypass.

Be sure you get out before it's all gone!

Monk's trail spring adventure

On Sunday we joined Mark's gang for a "hike" on the Monk's trail near Eagle River.   This is unusual for us, because the snow here is rarely firm enough for a adventure like this without snowshoes or skis.

I was told to sit here and wait.
I am overly social, so this was pretty hard!

Me and Bella are off!

Which way should we go?

We inspected the trout pond.  What do ya think Dave?!

I think I'll have a drink of snow.

The underground spring warmed the ground and
made that cool design in the snow.

At Jacob's Creek gorge.

Got some for me, Greg?

Me and Bella vied for Lisa's attention...

...and Mark's...

...and Kim's!

We hiked down stream.

As they looked at the lake, I took a refreshing snow bath.

This hard snow is good for snout rubbing, too.

Little open water maybe?? Or just some puddles anyway.

Lisa swears she's gonna have more adventure this year.

I stayed safely away from the edge of the torrent.

 

Now we're at the Arnold Mine ruins.

Few poor rock piles poking through.

We had such a nice romp here today.

On the drive home...the lake shore reminded us of a moon scape!