The Woods trail

I strapped on the old snowshoes the other day and made a trip through the woods. Our latest snowfall of five inches came after a fall of six inches and then an inch. All told we have had 12 inches so it was time to break a trail.

During the winter the snow lies deeper in the woods where the wind cannot move it about too much. In the open areas the wind has a tendency to strip the snow away and pile it up in hard drifts along the edge of woods. The woods trail also give protection from the cold winds that will soon arrive.

As the winter progresses and the new snow fall gets packed down, it can get firm enough to walk on without the snow shoes. Once the trail is firm the dog loves to race down it as a free spirit. Occasionally she will forget and leave the trail when she catches sight of a bush rabbit. In the first leap she plunges into the snow and ends up almost immobile. As the rabbit dashes off over the surface, the dog bounds forward in great leaps and quickly tires in the chest deep snow.
She stands and watches the rabbit disappear, then plows her way back to the trail looking rather dejected.

Before the winter is half over she understands that it is a waste of time and energy to leave the trail.
Another snowstorm is on the way later in the afternoon so we plan to hit the trail shortly and pack the snow down a little more. Each outing we extend the trail further into the woods and by spring we will have multiple trails in different directions.

On the last trip we saw deer, rabbit, ruff grouse and squirrel tracks. The packed snow and grouse droppings on top of a big log indicates he uses it to drum from. He has used the location for years and has been spotted doing so on numerous occasions.

I see fresh snowflakes in the air so it is time to hit the trail.