Mushers hit the trails in Sisters Country

There wasn't much snow on the ground, but dozens of eager sled dogs harnessed up to hit the trails of Sisters Country last weekend.

Actually, the lack of snow was all part of the plan for the "Mush Without Slush" race, hosted by the Pacific Sled Dog & Skijoring Association (PSDSA).

The race is designed as a low-key opportunity for people who are just breaking into the world of sled-dog racing and skijoring (a person on skis being pulled by one or two dogs). Conducting the event on dry land allows racers to use dog training carts, two-wheeled scooters or mountain bikes for "bikejoring."

According to race marshal Rick Johnson, a teacher at Sisters High School and an avid musher, the event was open to any dog that would pull.

"We had a few dogs that just ran alongside," he said.

The race was based out of Zimmerman Butte, three miles west of Sisters, and ran on the network of Forest Service roads in the area.

There were several classes based on distance: a 1-mile course; a 3.5-mile course; a 6.5-mile course; and a 10.3-mile course. The different courses allowed different combinations of teams.

The setup of the race was designed to allow mushers from beginners to more experienced racers to "experience the next level," according to event Trail Boss Karen Yeargain.

Yeargain, a former Sisters resident now living in Prineville, is an experienced musher. She's been involved in the sport since 1988.

Yeargain, who is a mushing instructor, brought 30 dogs to the event.

"A couple of my students are running teams," she said.

Since he had to focus on his duties as race marshal, Johnson only brought one dog for some bikejoring - one of his lead huskies, a lean, fast runner.

Huskies predominated among the racers, filling the crisp air at Zimmerman Butte with their songs. However, there were lots of other dogs as well.

Johnson notes that any dog that will pull can be a sled dog - the variables are simply speed and endurance.

Fun was the order of the day. One contestant raced on an off-road skateboard and others just enjoyed the ride on a bike.

For some, it was a little more serious, as they learned about handling a team in race conditions - without the pressure of a more formal event.

"We've got people from Idaho, Washington, Oregon," Yeargain said. "So far, people have said it was well worth the trip."

For more information on sled dog racing and skijoring, visit http://psdsa.org.