Snowshoeing the Shoreline Trail

So it's been awhile since my last post and for that I apologize. I guess a new year means starting old habits again, or trying to break the old habits. Whichever it is, at least I can add another hike to the blog. The latest storm dumped 2 inches at the house, 4-5 inches on the benches and 8 inches at Snowbasin. Since the snow was fresh we decided to go snowshoeing. On our way up to Snowbasin we saw very little people at the Adams Canyon Trailhead alongside Highway 89. This is a good indication on how many people are at the Fernwood Trailhead down the road. Sure enough we were the only ones when we pulled up the the "castle" and so we decided to hike the shoreline trail.

First order of business for Tasha was rolling around in the snow. She actually made several snow angels. She would roll onto her back and bend side to side digging her head in deep. Then she would flip up and and shake off. This left a perfect imprint of a snow angel.

Sassy doesn't do snow angels. She dives into the snow and comes up with a mouth full and then blows it out. She tries to crawl deeper and deeper into the snow. She would always come up with both legs stretched out behind her and a very white snout. She would look all serious and then with a big grin, jump up and race ahead with her ears flapping.

You can see how much fun the girls have snowshoeing. They love going on hikes and love it even more when it's in snow. I guess that's Tasha's natural environment. It still amazes me to this day how cold Sassy can get and has to "snuggle" with us in bed but as soon as she is on the trail, she's a snow dog. Just like Tasha!

We hiked about a mile and a half along the shoreline. About an hour in and an hour out. We were the first ones blazing the trail. On our way back we came across several people who hiked in and thanked us for packing down a trail. It was much easier for them to hike without snowshoes.

The weather was beautiful. The sun was out for most of the hike. Towards the end the clouds formed and it started to get a little breezy. For a Saturday morning I was a bit surprised there were not more people out.

Well friends and family, This trip begins a new year of hiking. With a new year of hiking means only one thing. Time to start planning the "big one." Some of you may have heard already what the big hike is this year. Some may not. This year, a week long backpacking trip is on the agenda. Two words: Wind Rivers. Two more words: Gannett Peak. How about two more words: Wyoming's highest peak. OK that was three, but you get where I am going with it. This trip will be a fun one. I will give more information about it later as I start to recruit you to go.

On a another note, there is another trip that I am beginning to plan. King's Peak. Yes, I swore up and down I was never going back to that hole again, but this time will be different. One, we will not be staying at Dollar Lake where Sassy can eat the "toilet paper blossoms" again and then puke it up in the middle of the night right next to my sleeping bag. And two, the main goal is to get Dad to the summit! He has visited the mountain three times on scouting trips to get the scouts on top. Each time he was denied the opportunity to peak out. Much due to selfless acts of being a good scout leader and staying behind to care for the weak. Well, not this year Dad. You had three boys who summited the highest peak in the 48 states last summer! It has become our goal to guide you to the top! Anyone who wants to join or just want to consider the trip, let me know. I have MANY who have already shown interest and the trip is already going to be a blast!

So welcome 2009! I guess my new years resolution can be to stay up on my blogging! And if there is anyone out there who is interested in doing some SMALL, overnighter backpacking trips with me, please leave a comment. Even if you have never been and don't even have the gear. We will figure it out! And on one last note, Christy got me my Spot Tracker. The only thing I wanted this Christmas. It may come to no surprise to you, it is a search and rescue tool. A GPS unit that can tell your friends and family where you are by Lat and Long. And if you really get in a pickle, you can hit the emergency button and the local search and rescue will be out within hours heading right to your location. Kind of takes the "search" out of "search and rescue!"