Mushers roll out on back roads

The cinder roads around Zimmerman Butte turned into a course for sled-dog teams last weekend in the annual Pacific Sled Dog and Skijor Association Mush Without Slush event.

Mushers using a variety of contraptions from wheeled sleds to modified bicycles ran several loops of varying distances.

Each course was run as a class. Within that, folks could run any of the team size and configurations listed for that class. Teams for each course ran the trail together; awards were presented to each category within the class. Rigs were required to be dog-powered, which means that quads had to be run without motor assist.

Courses ranged from 1.6-mile out-and-back to loops of 4.2 miles; 5.8 miles; and the long-distance loop of 9.7 miles. Configurations ranged from single-dog runs to full teams.

The event is a way for sled-dog enthusiasts to indulge in a little friendly competition on dry land, and a way for folks new to the activity to get practice working their teams.

For more information on the Pacific Sled Dog and Skijor Association visit www.psdsa.org.