Two Dogs and a Snow Drift

North Fork Teanaway River 1/6/08 3 miles

It looked like rain on the wet side of the mountains. Go figure as the northwest winter has rooted into place for January. The dry side of the mountains had higher hopes with less clouds. Sometimes you just gotta get away from the rain. I was joined by my Sister and her husband their dachshund Joey and my lab Olympia. The drive over to the Teanaway can seem long especially with Snoqualmie Pass and the trails there so close. But the trip can be worth it if you want to see more wildlife and less people - on the way to the end of the Teanaway Rd, we spotted several wild turkeys but only one other car.

Already, before we even started up the snow-mobile tracked road, the sun was gleaming down on us warming at least our faces from the sharp chill in the air. The dogs raced up and down the groomed road as the humans strapped on out packs and shoes. Olympia, used to playing in the snow, led the way beyond the groomed road along the snow-mobile track. Joey, always happy to follow Olympia around trotted easily behind her. It would be later when we left the snow-mobile tracks that Joey would become the source of our amusement.

Have you ever seen a 5-inch tall dog leap through 8-inch tall drifts? Joey had two distinct tactics for making his way through the snow. The first was the straight-forward snow-plow method. He'd head off in the direction he wanted to go, head held high, using his broad chest and wide feet to advance his position. The other method is what I like to call the slinky method. Joey would leap up with his front half arching over the obstructing pile of snow and then his back half would follow the same arch. Nothing seemed to deter the little guy.

We stopped at the top of a hill for a rest and some cider, soaking in the sunshine reflecting off the snowy trees. Olympia curled up next to me, hoping I'd have one more dog snack in my pocket. Joey curled up with my sister, the cold finally effecting his little body. We left the same way we came in but the trail by now was well worn and Joey had little trouble navigating through.

Near the end of our trip, we came across a group of snow-mobilers we had heard on and off during our trip back. All graciously slowing down to share the trail with us except one. She had to be stopped by her friends and even then glared at us. I've said this many times - I don't mind sharing the trail with others and whatever mode of transport they choose. BUT, lets be respectful of nature and the others around you. This one woman gives a bad name to snow-mobilers and no wonder people don't want to be near them.