Winter in the Valley

Click on pictures to enlarge.
The River still open at -5 degrees. It was all froze over 4 days later, but you wouldn't see me trying to cross it.

We cleared a winter bike trail last week in sub zero temps. It took about 4.5 hours to go down and back on it. This first day was to blast a trail through all the snow we've got this year. It was a solid snow pack and took much effort, but worth it.

I went back down after a fresh 3" snow on Friday. I was able to go down and back in less than 3 hours with the snowblower and added another 150 yards to the far end of the trail.

There were fox tracks and the deer have been on the path. I did see a herd of deer off to the side in the woods watching me. They had no fear of me or the running snowblower. People have been also hiking the trail. It is always interesting after a fresh snow to see all the tracks and trails. I saw where a fox had wandered along and then you could see where he pounced in the deep snow and stuck his head into the snow to possibly catch a mouse for a quick meal.

WINTER

That is the beauty of the winter, the tracks that tell the stories, the animals and their daily life and death scenarios that are played out during the nights and early mornings. Then the new snow comes and it is a clean canvas, to be tracked upon again. Being an avid hunter for many years and a hiker, I learned many years ago from my Grandpas and Dad about the signs from the tracks, they tell a story, one just has to interpret the sign. That is a large part of the winter mountain adventures, the new snow and a fresh day to lay your own tracks, whether it is on snowshoes, snowboards or snowmobile. Or even on the overnight drives into the mountains and laying the first tire tracks on some remote road. Maybe pulling over and shut the truck off, get out, stand and watch the snow flakes come drifting down in the dark. It is a powerful force in my life and I feel it every time I get out in the winter. I look for the adventure, whether it is a couple miles from my house or 1500 miles from my house, it is what you make of it. The night and fresh snow, it doesn't get much better than that. GOOD TIMES!!

Thanks to Steve and Q for the use of the snowblower.