Time to start grooming the trail ?

Yes we groom the trail. That only can mean one thing. There is enough snow to GROOM the trail. What is actually done when grooming the trail is you get on a "iron dog" or what is known as a snowmobile. In most dog mushers yard you will find various" things" that they pulled behind their snowmobile at one time or another to help pack a trail or groom a trail. Grooming is when the "thing" that you pull behind the snowmobile moves snow where you want it.
It can be 14 foot 2x6 boards on edge with 3 foot 2x6 cross members. You pull this with the 14 foot members length wise. The snowmobile pulls the "thing" along and the cross members plow the snow flat. As you pull it through the snow the snow piles up in front of the crossmembers. The snow that is piled up in front of the cross members will fall in the holes on the surface of the trail. It also makes the trail flat cross way across the three foot way. Not long after snow has been moved in this way it "sets" up hard. The friction of moving snow makes it harden.
Ben and Rachel will then train their dog teams on the trail. The dogs are able to reach faster speeds safer on a flat, hole filled surface. Not only do they reach faster speed but it will help to prevent injury. Just imagine if you were running as fast as you could. Then suddenly on your next stride you find your self stepping in a hole. Ouch !!
After Ben and Rachel run on the trail a few times it helps to pack it. The "thing " that was pulled behind the snowmobile filled in holes then the dogs run over it and pack it. Pretty soon after a few more times grooming new snow fall there is not one hole in the surface of the trail.
When dogs run on it the first few times the dogs' feet punch holes in the surface of the snow.
Then there is another "thing" in our yard we pull behind the snowmobile. It is made of 8 foot steel runners. It has steel crossmembers that will cut into the surface of trail where the holes are. The depth of cut is adjustable. It cuts out and fills in the holes thus repairing a trail. After enough training runs on the trail in becomes very hard and the dogs only leave their toe nail marks on the surface. It's crazy I know but when it gets that hard we are wishing for snow again so we can start all over.
At this moment there is so little snow that it is not possible to do much effective work with the "things" we pull behind the snowmobile. We are need another four inches and it would be perfect.
Rachel and Ben are training on the trail as it is now. It means that teams have to be held back as to not get going to fast on the uneven surface.

That's a little news on 'Grooming trail " Thanks for popping by for a visit talk to you soon.