Three Dog Trail

The Upper Phantom Ski Trail is being groomed this year for the first time in my memory. It is in excellent condition and a great hour loop. Sandi and I skied it last week and were greeted by a wolf scent post within a 100 yards of starting the trail. The wolf was making it's rounds, soon it was joined by coyote tracks. Later a fox used the trail. The wind was brutal until we got into the trees where we found a porcupine nest of pellets at the base of a tree. Most would not think of taking a nap on droppings however there is a theory that porcupines stay warm this way since the droppings are almost exclusively wood chips at this time of the year. The three dog trail was followed by a three dog night with the temp dropping to minus 34 degrees at the cabin. This prompted me to wonder where the animals sleep. The birds have it worst, perched in the wind. This red fox has a nice warm shelter.
Dale