I like your dogs, but......

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snobuilder

Well-known member
That's but, not butt.
Has anyone run into a dog sled team on the snow trails?
Nearly wiped one out yesterday on the Freda loop spur to the big lake.
Blind corner to my right doing about 45. Here comes 2 dog teams of 10-12 dogs each with an ATV between them. Luckily I was far right and able to lock up the track and skid to a stop just in time for the lead dog to take a quick sniff of my ski loop as he trotted by.

I admire the care, training and dedication it takes to be a musher (?). I would have felt terrible if I injured the dogs or owner.

Also have to mention that 4 sleds went ahead of us at the 120-121 intersection and were only about a 1/2 mile ahead of us so the dog sledders had warning of sled traffic.
I assume this is a multi use trail but there was no warning .
This was not an event.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
I was alone came up on a musher on a WI unplowed FR from the rear. I dropped way back waited for the musher to make a controlled stop. Finally stopped threw out a rope hook walked out to the lead dog and was crouched with him. I passed very slowly not wanting to cause any problems. It did have me on edge and only happened once all the time I have been riding nobody wants to run over a sled team.
 
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Willh

New member
That's why you use caution no matter what the situation. You never know. It could be more sledders...it could be dog sledders...or it could a group of kindergartners.
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
Yea if I wasn't cautious, a dog or owner would be hurt right now.

The other thread about the copper 150 explains a lot, but if these teams come early to train on snow trails, there has to be a better way.
To me it would have made more sense to have the tracked atv run out ahead with a sign on the front warning of oncoming dogs....instead, the ATV was only a few yards ahead.
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
I've probably seen 6 or 7 teams of sled dogs on the trails this year, see them every year. Have to be aware at all times. How about throwing in Fat Bikes, Hikers, and snow shoe'ers?

Not that I like it, but I don't really have a choice. I will say, that every one I have seen this year, not on a sled, has been on the right side of the trail. Can't say the same for the 100's of snowmobiles I've passed.
 
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Willh

New member
No, I wish. Still saving money for school and buying a place. Maybe in a year or two. I know it's going to be an obsession/hobby I can just barely even afford when I let myself get into it...so I'm trying to hold off as long as I can.

I have been out on friends snowmobiles tho.

I loved it more than I thought I would.
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
I'd much rather have a sled coming at me. Every sled that was on the so called "my" side of the trail was always able to correct in time which is more than I can say for this dog team.
The VERY least they should have done....for their own protection, AND the dogs....is to have their escort 200 yards ahead warning of them being on the trails.
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
snobuilder said:
The VERY least they should have done....for their own protection, AND the dogs....is to have their escort 200 yards ahead warning of them being on the trails.
Click to expand...

And how would you propose they do that, one of those big flashing light signs you see on the back of DOT vehicles??

I've never seen a sled dog team have an escort, ever.

I do think an escort is a good idea, but in reality, they can hear a sled coming, and from my experience, have been on the right side of the trail.

At least you were able to ratchet down for them, even if it was close.
 
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elf

Well-known member
We see them all the time on the north shore. They've always been very good about either being on their side of the trail or stopping them when we come up behind them. If we see them approaching we just pull to the side and shut sleds off. Once when our kids were younger the sledder stopped and asked if the kids wanted a ride.
 
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1fujifilm

Well-known member
snobuilder said:
That's but, not butt.
Has anyone run into a dog sled team on the snow trails?
Nearly wiped one out yesterday on the Freda loop spur to the big lake.
Blind corner to my right doing about 45. Here comes 2 dog teams of 10-12 dogs each with an ATV between them. Luckily I was far right and able to lock up the track and skid to a stop just in time for the lead dog to take a quick sniff of my ski loop as he trotted by.

I admire the care, training and dedication it takes to be a musher (?). I would have felt terrible if I injured the dogs or owner.

Also have to mention that 4 sleds went ahead of us at the 120-121 intersection and were only about a 1/2 mile ahead of us so the dog sledders had warning of sled traffic.
I assume this is a multi use trail but there was no warning .
This was not an event.
Click to expand...

Every time I ride the Freda I think "this would be a helluva fun ride if it was a one-way trail; the south trail would run to the west and the north trail would run east.

Bear
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
xcr440 said:
And how would you propose they do that, one of those big flashing light signs you see on the back of DOT vehicles??

I've never seen a sled dog team have an escort, ever.

I do think an escort is a good idea, but in reality, they can hear a sled coming, and from my experience, have been on the right side of the trail.

At least you were able to ratchet down for them, even if it was close.
Click to expand...

Reread post 5...they had an atv escorting them ...and I'm not here making proposals.....just be aware, this is about the last place with snow right now.

I have come upon dog sledders on trails before but I met them in open areas where they could be seen. And most times they have an atver with them.
 
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xcr440

Well-known member
snobuilder said:
Reread post 5...they had an atv escorting them ...and I'm not here making proposals.....just be aware, this is about the last place with snow right now.

I have come upon dog sledders on trails before but I met them in open areas where they could be seen. And most times they have an atver with them.
Click to expand...

Well that's good, in N MN, I've never seen an ATV with a dog sled team.
 
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ezra

Well-known member
Willh said:
That's why you use caution no matter what the situation. You never know. It could be more sledders...it could be dog sledders...or it could a group of kindergartners.
Click to expand...

I hold out hope it is a crew of fat tire bikers when I am wfo around blind corners with my eyes closed
 
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dickmsp

New member
I question the wisdom of the mushers, fat tire bikers and cross country skiers putting their dogs and their lives in jeopardy using high speed snowmobile trails.
It's also very interesting each state's DNR ignores the potential catastrophy. Would you walk your dog down the middle of a freeway??
 
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frnash

Active member
dickmsp said:
I question the wisdom of the mushers, fat tire bikers and cross country skiers putting their dogs and their lives in jeopardy using high speed snowmobile trails.
It's also very interesting each state's DNR ignores the potential catastrophy. Would you walk your dog down the middle of a freeway??
Click to expand...
Or they could just manage it a bit more carefully — the Copper Dog 150 does a great job of sharing the trails and keeping everyone safe. But that's a formal event; single teams/mushers in training might be a whole 'nuther thing, but they should certainly respect their dogs as well!
 
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snobuilder

Well-known member
I think we both learned a lesson at that moment.
In fact I think the young lady on the atv said SORRY!, as we past each other. The musher with the dogs on her left side of the blind corner that I almost hit, had a stern look on her face.....I sure hope it wasn't meant for me...
 
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