Skijoring involves one skier and up to three dogs. A special harness for both you
and your team is recommended. The lead between you and your team is similar to
a large bungee, making the pull safer for both you and your dogs. Skijoring is
becoming increasingly popular in the Pacific Northwest. Crystal Springs Sno-Park
is a popular staging area for both Skijorers and Mushers.
and your team is recommended. The lead between you and your team is similar to
a large bungee, making the pull safer for both you and your dogs. Skijoring is
becoming increasingly popular in the Pacific Northwest. Crystal Springs Sno-Park
is a popular staging area for both Skijorers and Mushers.
| Northwest Event Calendar 2008 Sled Dog & Skijor Schedule |
| Resource Links - The Cascade Sled Dog Club Home Page Pacific Sled Dog and Skijor Association Sled Dog Central Dog Sled and Skijoring Supplies |
| Other Wonderful Dog Links - Call of the Wild Huskies |
| Support your hard working Avalanche dogs and handlers. Join us at the March 2nd Fundraiser. More info? Click away. |
Trails don't "just happen". A lot of work, time, and volunteer efforts went in to making
the Crystal Dog Trail DP100 happen on the Cle Elum Ranger District. A meeting
between the Dog Powered Sports community and the USFS is scheduled for March
15th, 2008. If you are interested in more dog-powered, non-motorized opportunities,
you should consider attending. Please contact Michael Johnson
(mjdsledogn@centurytel.net) for more information.
the Crystal Dog Trail DP100 happen on the Cle Elum Ranger District. A meeting
between the Dog Powered Sports community and the USFS is scheduled for March
15th, 2008. If you are interested in more dog-powered, non-motorized opportunities,
you should consider attending. Please contact Michael Johnson
(mjdsledogn@centurytel.net) for more information.
After your run, make sure you care for your dog's needs
first. Tie them out, take off their harnesses, check their
paws for injuries, and give them water.
Make certain your dog is receiving the proper hydration
necessary for the work he or she is doing. Mushers and
Skijorers "bait" the water of their more finicky drinkers.
You can use baby food, broth, or plain old dog food to
entice your friend to drink. Be especially careful when
picking out non-canine food. Many broths or baby foods
contain onion, an ingredient that dogs should never
first. Tie them out, take off their harnesses, check their
paws for injuries, and give them water.
Make certain your dog is receiving the proper hydration
necessary for the work he or she is doing. Mushers and
Skijorers "bait" the water of their more finicky drinkers.
You can use baby food, broth, or plain old dog food to
entice your friend to drink. Be especially careful when
picking out non-canine food. Many broths or baby foods
contain onion, an ingredient that dogs should never
| Dog Power Sports |
| Home Page XC Ski Page Snowmobile Page Snowshoe Page Snow Play Page Winter Safety Page Winter Photos Page |
| Sno-Park passes and Snowmobile registration tags are strictly enforced. Don't ruin your visit by getting an expensive citation. Remember your passes. |
Where to run: You and your dogs can run on any groomed trail open to motorized use (see Sno-Park
information on sidebar). Dogs are not permitted on non-motorized groomed trails EXCEPT on the John
Wayne Trail between Easton and the Lost Lake Road (Crystal Springs Area). The Cle Elum Ranger District is
proud to offer the State's only DOG TRAIL, the DP-100. Mushers can line out their dogs away from
snowmobile traffic by parking on the west end of the Crystal Springs Sno-Park (a clearly marked Dog Sled
parking area open to anyone who has a Special Grooming Permit). The DP-100 trail leaves the parking area
and heads out into a groomed forested trail. The trail is a little over a mile long and connects with the John
Wayne Trail. This section of trail is open to dogs. You will cross a motorized trail before the JWT, so please
watch your dogs and have them under control before crossing. Many mushers enjoy the long snowmobile
routes over the ski trail. Skijorers usually run their dogs on the non-motorized section.
information on sidebar). Dogs are not permitted on non-motorized groomed trails EXCEPT on the John
Wayne Trail between Easton and the Lost Lake Road (Crystal Springs Area). The Cle Elum Ranger District is
proud to offer the State's only DOG TRAIL, the DP-100. Mushers can line out their dogs away from
snowmobile traffic by parking on the west end of the Crystal Springs Sno-Park (a clearly marked Dog Sled
parking area open to anyone who has a Special Grooming Permit). The DP-100 trail leaves the parking area
and heads out into a groomed forested trail. The trail is a little over a mile long and connects with the John
Wayne Trail. This section of trail is open to dogs. You will cross a motorized trail before the JWT, so please
watch your dogs and have them under control before crossing. Many mushers enjoy the long snowmobile
routes over the ski trail. Skijorers usually run their dogs on the non-motorized section.
| Things to know: Trail Etiquette and Rules. |
Trail rules:
Dogs must be kept on leash in the staging area (parking lot).
Keep your dog(s) on-leash or on-lead on the DP-100 and John Wayne Trail (dogs are permitted on the John
Wayne Trail between Easton to the Lost Lake Road).
The biggest dog teams have the right-of-way. Always keep your dogs under control. Rein in your dogs
when you are being passed or if your dog has a tendency to jump into oncoming teams (which is very
dangerous to you, your dog(s), and to the other musher and team!). If you have an aggressive dog or a dog
that like to visit on-coming teams, stop, move to the side of the trail, and hold your dog.
Do everything you can to keep your dog or team from tangling or interfering with other teams or users.
Never turn a tangled dog loose, not even your own pet. A dog under stress from a tangle may run away or
cause added trouble.
If you are being passed, hold your dogs back and allow the passing team to get back up to speed. Allow a
minute to pass before continuing so that there is a safe distance between teams.
Your dogs should have all their shots up-to-date before you head out to a public area or trail.
Clean up after your dog in the staging (parking) area. Bring a shovel and bag.
Represent our sport professionally. Many beginners visit our dog trail and they are there to learn. Be
friendly and offer tips. Everyone is out to have a good time, so be friendly, control your dog(s), and enjoy your
visit!
Dogs must be kept on leash in the staging area (parking lot).
Keep your dog(s) on-leash or on-lead on the DP-100 and John Wayne Trail (dogs are permitted on the John
Wayne Trail between Easton to the Lost Lake Road).
The biggest dog teams have the right-of-way. Always keep your dogs under control. Rein in your dogs
when you are being passed or if your dog has a tendency to jump into oncoming teams (which is very
dangerous to you, your dog(s), and to the other musher and team!). If you have an aggressive dog or a dog
that like to visit on-coming teams, stop, move to the side of the trail, and hold your dog.
Do everything you can to keep your dog or team from tangling or interfering with other teams or users.
Never turn a tangled dog loose, not even your own pet. A dog under stress from a tangle may run away or
cause added trouble.
If you are being passed, hold your dogs back and allow the passing team to get back up to speed. Allow a
minute to pass before continuing so that there is a safe distance between teams.
Your dogs should have all their shots up-to-date before you head out to a public area or trail.
Clean up after your dog in the staging (parking) area. Bring a shovel and bag.
Represent our sport professionally. Many beginners visit our dog trail and they are there to learn. Be
friendly and offer tips. Everyone is out to have a good time, so be friendly, control your dog(s), and enjoy your
visit!
| Our Trail is Volunteer Driven! |
| What is Skijoring? |
| Trail Terms |
| A'right - Also Hike! or OK! - A command used to get the team going. "Mush" is not used. Basket - Area in the sled where freight or passengers are carried. Booties - A sock-like boot, usually made of polar fleece. Mushers put them on a dog's feet to prevent snow and ice build-up between the toes. Brake - Heavy metal fork. When the prongs are forced into the snow, the sled stops. Gangline - Central line leading from the yoke at the front of the sled. Attaches the sled to all the dogs. The dogs are attached to the gangline via a tugline secured to the very back of each harness. Gee - The command to go right. Handler - The person who helps the musher train, transport and take care of the dogs. Harness - The diamond shaped, cloth strap web around the dog's chest, front legs and across its back. The harness attaches to the gangline and allows the dog to pull the sled. Haw - The command to go left. Hike! - A command used to get the team going. "Mush" is not used. Lead dog(s) - The front dog or dogs in the team. Musher or Driver - Person who runs the dog team. On By - Command used to direct the team past another team. Trail! - Used for the right-of-way on a trail. Commonly used when passing. Tugline - Line of about 3' which fastens the back loop of the harness to the gangline. Whoa - Also Hold! Stop! - Stop. |
| Von Martin's new book is out! |
| Local Musher and all-around great guy, Von Martin, has a new book on the market, A long Way to Nome. “The Chronicle of a Musher, His Adopted Sled Dogs, and Their Pursuit of an Alaskan Dream” |
| Taking care of your dogs comes first! |
ingest. Offer your dog water after each run, but to avoid heaving, don't let them gulp
too much at one time. I have one dog that will drink until he throws up, and another
that will not drink unless I bait her water. Every dog is different. On especially cold
days, I warm the water with plain water from my thermos. Serve lukewarm (NOT
HOT!)..
too much at one time. I have one dog that will drink until he throws up, and another
that will not drink unless I bait her water. Every dog is different. On especially cold
days, I warm the water with plain water from my thermos. Serve lukewarm (NOT
HOT!)..
| Home Page XC Ski Page Snowmobile Page Dog Power Sports Snowshoe Snow Play Winter Safety Winter Photos |
| Crystal Dog Sled Trail Map |
| Get connected, see updated trail reports, and check out new photos through these two local Dog Power Facebook Pages. |
The Second Annual Dog Days of Winter will be held at Crystal
Springs (DP Trail 100 parking area) on Sunday, Sunday, February
21st, between 9am and 2pm. This is an informal meet and greet day for
Dog Mushers, Skijorers and those just wanting to learn more about the
sports. Experienced Mushers will be on site to answer questions or loan
equipment. Sponsored by Northwest Dog Power Sports.
Springs (DP Trail 100 parking area) on Sunday, Sunday, February
21st, between 9am and 2pm. This is an informal meet and greet day for
Dog Mushers, Skijorers and those just wanting to learn more about the
sports. Experienced Mushers will be on site to answer questions or loan
equipment. Sponsored by Northwest Dog Power Sports.