Fall Training

It's Fall: time for pumpkins and sled dog training!

With a little help from mother nature in the form of crisp Fall mornings, Fall training should be just around the corner. Fall training is the time we get the dogs out and remind them of all they knew last season. It's a time spent feeling out the team and figuring out just where we stand.

This year, we are excited to announce that Gypsy and Luke, our visiting sled dogs from the 2010-2011 dog sledding season, will once again be joining the Maryland Sled Dog Adventures team. Kiana's Sammamish (aka Sammi or Sammidoodle) is now a yearling and also will begin training full time with the team. Back for another dog sledding season are five year old team/wheel dog, Okemo, seven year old team/wheel dog, Sobo, and three year old lead dog, Acadia.

Also making his debut this season is our new mini musher, Ethan Oliver. Ethan was born in late April 2011 and will be joining us training the sled dogs and during Fall and Winter programs this coming season.

Plans for this season include a full docket of dog sledding programs. All of our weekends are currently booked for the 2011-2012 dog sledding season. We still have a handful of midweek dates left so email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com if you would like to book your own dog sledding program. We will also be running our very popular women's Maine Winter Cabin Adventure again February 17-February 20, 2012. This very special four day long dog sledding adventure is based out of our cabin in Stark, Maine and is limited to just four participants. Two slots remain in our Maine Winter Cabin Adventure.

Our race plans include the Maine Highlands Katahdin Iron Works (KIW) 30 and/or the fun run held January 28, 2012 in Brownville, Maine.

We also plan on spending some time up north in Maine exploring new trails and reaquainting ourselves with familiar trails. Those trips are presently scheduled for December, January, and February.

Stay tuned for updates on all of the sled dogs' Fall and Winter exploits.

Tow Hill Training Session

This sign speaks for itself: Lots and lots of sled dogs this past weekend

Eric and I along with the whole Maryland Sled Dog Adventures gang are back from a wonderful three days of training the sled dogs in State College, Pennsylvania. The annual Tow Hill Training Session is one of our favorite events of the season. In addition to great training, there is great food (these guys know the true meaning of a pot luck supper), lots of musher socialization, and plenty of time spent hanging out with the sled dogs.

Future lead dog: Kiana's Sammamish with retired lead dog, Zoe, in the background

Big White Dog, Okemo.

Sobo can both lead and follow. This weekend he ran wheel next to Luke

Kiana's Acadia (lead dog) resting on the line

Luke resting on the picket line after the run. Luke runs in both team and wheel.

Gypsy Queen (aka GQ) catches a nap on the picket line. Gypsy ran lead this weekend.

Wheel dog, Okemo, hangs out post run

While at Tow Hill, the team practiced lots of head on passing and lots of over taking passing. There were also ample opportunities for gee/haw and hill training. Tow Hill is also a great opportunity to run with all types of teams ranging from recreational teams to the Alaska circuit's pro caliber teams. This year there were even two awesome brand new trails that really inspired the dogs to run hard.

Two of Rob Downey's dogs being hooked up

Six dog sprint team coming through the chute and heading out on the trails

Eight dog Siberian team from Xtreme Weather Kennels

One dog team on an Outlaw rig

Tons of opportunities for gee/haw training

The trails at Tow Hill are simply awesome!

A team of Alaskans (hounds) from New York

There were trucks (and teams) of all sizes (Rob Downey's truck)

These guys were moving so fast they were just a blur

Dogs of all types attended

From the Powers Pack: Kodiak

Saturday I ran the team approximately five miles and on Sunday Eric ran the team approximately six miles. Afternoons were spent socializing and hanging out. All of the dogs slept on the truck which was good practice for little puppy monster Sammamish.

Sammi practiced spending time on the picket line

Acadia harnessed and ready to run just as the sun is starting to come up

Eric coming back with our five dog team: Gypsy and Acadia in lead; Okemo in team; Luke and Sobo in wheel

Linda with the four dog Powers Pack team coming back from Sunday's run

Headlamps are great except when you are trying to take a photo. Eric driving our five dog team.

Musher socialization with the Powers Pack.

Dog trucks through the trees

Some folks camped out. Others slept in the lodge or bunkhouse

Wagon full of pumpkins (and no this was not part of the pot luck supper. I was far too busy stuffing my face at dinner to take any photos!)

First Dog Sledding Program of the Season

Running down the trail

The 2010-2011 dog sledding and dryland dog sledding season is officially underway here at Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC. The season kicked off today with a visit from Girl Scout Troop 994 from Girl Scouts of the Nations Capitol. Seven scouts enjoyed the antics and fun of five happy sled dogs while learning all about dog sledding during our Scout Patch Program.

Stay tuned for updates as the dog sledding season progresses.

Gypsy meets the scouts

Luke gives kisses

Gypsy hangs out on the picket line post run

Who me? says Sobo

Acadia and this little guy had a lot of fun.

First Run of the Season

Dog scootering with a three dog team: Sobo and Acadia in lead, Okemo in wheel

Saturday morning was cool enough for a very light run with the sled dogs and some (heavier) musher socialization. Since here at Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC we are frequently running dog sledding programs on the weekends later in the season, we took this opportunity to get together with several local mushers we have not seen for quite awhile. This was also a good opportunity to try out the new dog truck.

New dog truck

Close up of the new dog boxes

Run details: About one mile, Patsy's trail, haw (left) at the road and back around to the North Appleton lot; 3 dogs on the Pawtrekker dog scooter. Acadia and Sobo in lead with Okemo in wheel.

Run location: Fair Hill, Maryland

Notes: Warm, sunny and dry conditions (temps were 55 degrees when we arrived); large group of high school students running sprints right out of the parking lot (dogs did excellent at on-bying and were not phased by the announcer with the PA system). The dogs did not want to on by Eric and Zoe who were along the trail taking photos. Three dog scooter team = scary dog scooter run. Thankfully, I did not wipe out but there were some very close calls and the brakes were pretty much locked up for most of the run.

We didn't get many photos but here are a few that Eric did manage to capture. Note: Eric was standing well off the trail since he had Zoe out for a walk which is why the teams appear very small in most of these photos.

Setting up

Setting up

Chris and Jessica Bannister's (Xtreme weather) dog truck

Chris and Jessica coming back with a seven dog team

Chris Jacobs and Sonic bikejoring

Reggie Brown coming back with a four dog team. Note the dog in team has never run in harness before and has only been with Reggie for three days. He's looking for a good home for him if anyone is interested. He's a lovely, one year old, registered red and white, intact (for now at least) male.

Canicross Hikes 2010: First Hike and Swim is July 10, 2010

Come on Out for Our Canicross Hike and Swim!

It's been a bit delayed in coming but we have finally scheduled two Canicross Club Hikes for the 2010 canicrossing season. We've had numerous inquiries from interested folks so hopefully we will have good groups for each hike.

Our first Canicross Club Hike will be a Hike and Swim held at Gunpowder Falls State Park on July 10, 2010 and our second Canicross Club Hike will be at Sugarloaf Mountain on September 11, 2010.

All abilities are welcome on our hikes. If you would like to hike with your dog on leash instead of canicrossing, that is fine too. Please be aware that park rules require that all dogs must remain leashed at all times.

Visit the Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC website for more information on our Canicross Club. For a schedule of upcoming hikes, check out the Upcoming Events section of our website. For specific hike details, see the hike descriptions below. To register email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com.

Eric and Okemo canicross hiking at Gunpowder Falls State Park

The view on the trail

Acadia lines out. For a list of dog sledding (and canicross) commands visit our website.

Acadia practices her doggy paddle after Canicross Hiking at Gunpowder

Sugarloaf Mountain views

What to Bring on all of our Canicross Hikes: To canicross, you will need a properly fit pulling harness for your dog (loaner harnesses can sometimes be arranged, email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com for more details), a canicross (or skijor) belt (belts can be purchased through Nooksack or White Pine Outfitters), and a 1-2 dog line or leash (lines can be purchased from Maryland Sled Dog Adventures for $35 per line with advance notice), plenty of water for you and your dog, a bowl (or some way to give your dog water), comfortable and supportive hiking boots, a lunch for you and snacks for your dog, and weather appropriate hiking clothes. Optional items include sunscreen, hat, bug repellent, and a camera. You will need a small backpack or fanny pack to carry these items along the trail. If you have any questions about what to bring email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com.

Details: Cost of each hike is $10 per person. One dog per person, please. Each hike is limited to eight (8) participants. All participants must sign our waiver and release. Each of these hikes requires a certain level of physical fitness for both dogs and humans.

Okemo on the Gunpowder north trail slides under a log

Okemo and I hike along at Gunpowder Falls State Park

Acadia takes a cooling dip after canicross hiking

Canicross Hike and Dog Swim at Gunpowder Falls State Park

Saturday, July 10, 2010: Our first Canicross Club Hike of the season will be approximately 5 miles of hiking through the woods along the Gunpowder North and South Trail at Gunpowder Falls State Park. Start time for this hike is 10 AM. Bring your swim suits and water shoes and after the hike, we'll go for a swim/wade in the crystal clear waters of the Gunpowder at an area the locals call "Hillbilly Beach." Starting out, we'll follow the Gunpowder South trail as it parallels the Gunpowder River for approximately 2.5 miles. At Big Falls Road, we'll cross the Gunpowder and come back along the river on the Gunpowder North Trail passing a small waterfall, Raven Rock Falls. This hike is a moderate to easy hike. After the hike, we'll lunch, swim and wade with the pups at Hillbilly Beach. In addition to the items above, for this hike, be sure to bring a swim suit (plan on changing in your car or the woods), towels for you and your dog, sunscreen, and a lunch for you and snacks for your dog. You may also wish to bring a camp chair for lounging around and socializing after the hike.

Rating: Easy

Directions:

From Baltimore: Take I-83 North to Mt. Carmel Road. Exit and go east (right). Follow Mt. Carmel Road to York Road (stop light) and turn North (right). Follow York Road north for approximately 2-3 miles. As the road begins to go down steeply and just BEFORE crossing the river you will see two trail head parking areas on the left and right side of York Road. Park in either (be careful crossing the road with your dog).

Canicross Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain Hike (with optional winery stop)
Saturday, September 11, 2010: Our final Canicross Club hike of the 2010 season will take place at Sugarloaf Mountain. This five mile hike offers panoramic views of Frederick and the fields and farms surrounding Frederick. Please plan on packing a lunch which we'll plan to have at the White Rocks Overlook. Also, please be aware that this hike is a popular day hike and as a result we will begin this hike at 9 AM. Please bring only dogs that are friendly with other dogs and people. Also please plan on carpooling. The lots at Sugarloaf Mountain are small and fill up quickly. We will meet at the West View Parking lot. For a map of the hiking trails at Sugarloaf Mountain and site information click here. Post hike join us for an optional excursion to Sugarloaf Mountain Winery for a short wine tasting (please plan on bringing money to cover the cost of this additional excursion).

Rating: Moderate to Difficult

From Baltimore: Take I-70 West towards Frederick for approximately 60 miles. Exit onto I-270 South.

Take Exit 22 for Route 109. From the bottom of the exit ramp, follow Route 109 South for 2.9 miles. Turn Right onto Route 95 (Comus Road) toward Sugarloaf Mountain. Go 2.4 miles to a wide paved area at the Sugarloaf Mountain Entrance. Turn Right into the mountain entrance (the second right) and follow the road steeply uphill. Pass the East View parking lot. Continue along a level stretch of road and then fork right uphill for the west view parking lot.

From DC: From Interstate 495 (Capitol Beltway) take Exit 35 (outer loop) or Exit 38 (Inner Loop) in order to take I-270 North. Once you are on I-270 North follow the directions above.

Three Across: Canicross Hiking Sugarloaf

Anna and Wolfie Canicross Hiking Sugarloaf