March 15, Saturday, 9 am  Woodland Park/Green Lake

Host: Daphne Lewis 253.839.1502; cell 206.304.7390; daphne@dogscooter.com

This is our urban mushing event. Good manners are the order of the day, not speed. It is more scooter speed than mountain bike speed. (Bikes are welcome, though, if you don't have a scooter.) We park in Woodland Park in the parking lot east of Aurora Avenue (SR99) and adjacent to N 50th street. From there we scooter under Aurora via a short tunnel. From there we will circle the Zoo in a clockwise direction on city sidewalks. We will return to (Lower) Woodland Park via a foot bridge over Aurora. From there we will follow hilly unpaved trails through lawn and woods. We will pass the dog park on the access road down to West Green Lake Way. We cross Green Lake Way and begin circling Green Lake going counter clockwise. Soon we leave the paved route and cut east to the outer dirt trail that parallels East Green Lake Way. Before reaching the soccer fields, we cut down across the sloping lawn and join the paved trail around the lake. After passing the parking lots and pool house we leave the paved trail and get back on a dirt trail that crosses a big lawn. At the very north end of the lake we cut back down to the paved trail and stay on it for a while. At the boat houses we cross West Green Lake Way and climb up into Woodland Park again. After the run, you are free to take the dogs to the dog park for free running.
In Seattle dogs are not allowed (really!) to walk into lakes and the Sound. Bring water rather than letting the dogs drink from Green Lake. They also are not allowed off leash except in the Dog Parks. It is easy to be nabbed and fined.

Driving Instructions:

Meet at the parking lot that abuts N 50th street where Woodland Park Ave North dead-ends at the park. This parking lot is two blocks east of SR 99/Aurora Avenue. From I-5 take the NE 50th Street exit. Go west on NE 50th. Cross Green Lake Way and proceed  to the second parking lot beyond Stone Way. Turn right into the parking lot just before you would have driven under Aurora.

Meeting after: Location to be announced.

April 12, Saturday, 8 am   Orting/Foothills Trail

Host: Cheryl Reehill (253) 468-5074 RogueAPBT@comcast.net

The Orting Trail runs through pastoral Orting along the Carbon River. On a clear day it seems that the trail will run you smack into Mount Rainier. It is a rail trail, level and paved. Much of the distance there is a dirt trail that parallels the pavement. A mile from parking a tributary comes into the Carbon River. Sometimes we let the dogs play in this stream, especially if the weather is warm. The route passes cattle, poplars, a wetland restoration project, fields and woods. Bicyclists and walkers love this trail.

Driving Instructions:

Take SR 167 south to Sumner Buckley Highway (SR410). Go east on SR410 to SR 162 and go south on SR 162 all the way to the original center of Orting. Park in the parking lot on the east side of the central park where once the railroad station was. We will go south on the trail out of town and into the country side.

Meeting after: Location to be announced.

April 19, Saturday, 10 am   Practice the Scooter Test - Yelm/Tenino Trail

Host: Susan Scofield (360) 446-0255; barnstormer@fairpoint.net

We will try out our scooter test. We will try novice and probably the other levels as well. This will allow us to refine the test.

Driving Instructions:

Take Highway 167 towards Puyallup...then 512 towards Olympia..This will bring you back to I-5 or just stay on the freeway all the way to Mounts Rd.

Take the Mounts Rd exit 116. Turn left on Mounts Rd. After a few miles take a left on Reservation RD up the hill. This will bring you to a stop..take a left on Highway 510 headed east into Yelm.

Once you get into Yelm, you will travel through several lights...past a Safeway store and then come to an intersection where you will see an AM PM (or Arco) and a Chevron.

Bear to the right here on to Bald Hills Rd. then immediately take your first right on to Morris Rd. This is basically across the street from Dels Farm Supply and next to J&I equipment. Continue on Morris through the stop sign until you come to a T in the road on 148th. Take a left on 148th. This will bring you to a stop on Vail Rd.  Take a right on to Vail. You will follow this past a Texaco, past a chicken ranch, past a large field with sheep, and across a bridge on the Deschutes River.

After you cross the bridge you will take the first left on to Reichel RD. Marked and well paved, watch the turn, it is blind. Continue on down Reichel about a mile. You will pass through the sheep ranch, and drop down the hill. Look for a lavender mail box on the left. The next mailbox ON THE LEFT is mine...sleddogs painted on it. 16621 Reichel Rd. SE..Big cedar gate..across the street there is a gravel driveway and 173rd Ave. with many blue address signs.

May 3, Saturday, 8 am   Lake Wilderness in the City of Maple Valley

Host: Donna Morton, (253) 569-9514; LikeSalt@aol.com

Part of Donna's run is on a popular rail trail with great footing for dogs and scooters. Donna will detour us into the woods on single track trails. These trails are not rocky so you aren't too likely to catch your wheel and fall. After the single track trail you return to the rail trail. Most of the run is in shade. Bring water.

Driving Instructions:

From Highway 18 go east on SR 516 (SE 272nd, Kent Kangley Road). Turn north on Witte Road 6 or 7 miles from SR 18. Go east on SE 248th and south at the next intersection on 224th Ave SE. You will be in the Lake Wilderness Park. Go past the Arboretum Buildings and bear left into the parking area near Lake Wilderness.

Meeting after: Location to be announced.

May 17, Saturday, 8 am   Iron Horse Trail at Rattlesnake Lake

Host: Brad Rasmussen, 425.432.2723; rasbrad@comcast.net

This rail trail is paved with smooth dirt. Nice to run on. Because it travels among the Cascade mountains it winds and goes up and down more than lowland rail trails. Plenty of views out the valley below. It is part of the Mountains to Sound Greenway. We can go as far as we want before turning around and heading back to the parking lot at Rattlesnake Lake. There is a visitor center which has several "green" features including sod roofs, a water feature that acoustically celebrates rain, and a wonderful landscape planting of native plants. (I believe the plants are labeled.)

Driving Instructions:

Take I-90 to eit 32 (436th Avenue SouthEast). Go south on Cear Falls Road SE 3.5 miles to Rattlesnake Lake. Go to the farthest parking lot. We will find the trail from there.

Meeting after: Location to be announced.

June 7, Saturday, 10 am   Wynoochee on the south edge of the Olympic Mountains

Host: Susan Scofield, (360) 446-0255, barnstormer@fairpoint.net

Driving Instructions:

This run is north of Montesano in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. You are welcome to camp.

More info TBA

August 8 -10   Sixth Annual Snoqualmie Tunnel Run & Camp Out at Lake Easton State Park

Host: TBA

The Tunnel Run takes place on Saturday morning at 10 am. The Tunnel is 2.3 miles long. We go from the dry side east of the mountains to the wet side west of the mountains. You wouldn't think just 2.3 miles would change the climate so entirely. Insid,e the Tunnel is a constant 50°F. The walls are damp and sometimes there is drip from the roof. Aside from the cool and damp, the most striking aspect of the Snoqualmie Tunnel is that it is pitch black. Wear a lamp on your bicycle helmet and put lights on your dogs and reflectors on your scooter, bike, sulky or rig. You may be scared of the dark, but most dogs seem to just trot steadily through the tunnel. 

The tunnel is the longest railroad tunnel in the U.S. It is the creation of the defunct Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul and Pacific Railroad known as The Milwaukee Road). It is a star in the 100 mile park known as the Iron Horse trail. This trail is central to the Mountains to Sound Greenway.

This year we will be running the Tunnel along with the Northwest Sled Dog Club. Get to the parking lot in time to run with them. It is less than half a mile from the parking lot to the Tunnel entrance. Once through the Tunnel there is a stream where you can water the dogs. We tie the dogs and mill and talk waiting for everyone to make it through. Then we turn and go back through.

The Camp Out  Many scooterers camp out at Lake Easton Campground starting Friday night. You need to reserve a space. Our group is gathering around sites 50 to 53. Go on line for a map and to reserve your space.

The presentation is Sunday 10 am. Lake Easton Interpretive program has invited us to give a presentation to the campers at the park. Each year the mushers give a well attended talk at the outdoor theater. The benches fill up with eager children and interested parents. After the talk the mushers run their dogs pulling a rig around one of the campground loops. Campers gather to watch and to pet and to ask questiions. We are invited to give a scooter presentation. We will be planning this during the meetings scheduled after the fun runs this spring.

Driving Instructions:

More info TBA

September 27 & 28   Annual Campout Goose Creek Campground

Host: Carole and Jeff Parsons malamute77@aol.com

Mushers start the fall season each year with this gathering east of the mountains. Run the trails and enjoy the camping out.

Driving Instructions:

More info TBA

October 4 & 5   Pinewood Scooter Run in eastern British Columbia, Canada

Host: Becky & Joe Loveless, (253) 843-9166, alpinehsky@aol.com

We drive up Friday afternoon. Get your own campsite. This is the area where Becky and Joe train their team for mid distance races in winter. We run a trail on both Saturday and Sunday. We have a group dinner Saturday night. You need a passport to return to the USA. For the dogs you need proof of vaccinations. More info soon!

Driving Instructions:

More info TBA

November 1 & 2   Dryland Races in Spokane

Host: Northwest Sled Dog Club

More info TBA

Driving Instructions:

More info TBA

November 15 & 16 Fourth Annual Dogs Across America

Organizer: Daphne Lewis, 206.304.7390; daphne@dogscooter.com

More info TBA