If you’ve ever watched a mushing competition with wonder or been curious what it would be like to ski while being pulled by an animal, Pinedale, Wyoming has a sport for you!
In Pinedale, Wyoming, winter is not a time to hunker down at home with hot chocolate and a good book. It’s time to explore the great outdoors, the natural beauty, snow, and winter sports that include being pulled by animals.
As you may know, mushers stand on a sled and are pulled by a few dogs, usually huskies. If this sounds too adventurous to you, you can still watch on with awe as professionals fill Pinedale in late January and February to compete in the “Tour de France” of sled dog racing.
Skijoring is a whole different beast, Literally. The sport usually includes a horse with a rider pulling a skier over all sorts of jumps and obstacles. At the Pinedale Winter Carnival in mid-February, you can try skijoring yourself or watch some of the incredibly talented and brave competitors race for the top spot of ski-jorner superstar.
For experienced mushers and ski-jorners, there are areas of immense beauty that you can ride through peacefully with your trusty dogs, horses, and friends.
Popular Locations
CCC Ponds Recreation Area
An easy and accessible groomed trail system with spectacular scenery less than five miles from town which routinely draws athletes with their K9 companions. Public restrooms, warming hut, and waste stations available.
Dog Sledding
Picture this: the crisp winter air in your face, the runners sliding smooth and free, the sound of Mush! ringing out across the snowscape. Dog sledding in Wyoming is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Jump on a sled and be wisked through some of the most stunning landscape Wyoming has to offer. Jackson Hole Iditarod Sled Dog Tours offers half or full day trips taking visitors into the Bridger Teton National Forest or Granite Creek Canyon. Full day trips include an amazing ride to the Granite Hot Springs and allow enough time to go for a swim in the natural hot spring pools. If you’re up for a multi-day adventure Continental Divide Dog Sled Adventures near Dubois offer amazing half, full and multi-day tours of the Absaroka Mountains. Even in the summer, you can schedule tours of the training facility and meet the dogs. Browse all sled dog tour operators below.
Wyoming Mountain Range
Known for its deep snow and annual average snowfall of 16 feet, this vast area has beautiful scenery and hundreds of miles of fantastic groomed trails. The Wyoming Range is a great place to go to find solitude and have your own training center away from the crowds. When mushers are looking for an optimal place for high altitude sled dog training and where the snowpack is good, travel to the eastern side of the Wyoming Range.
For trail access travel US 191 north to Highway 354 / Daniel Merna Road 23 – 112, continue to the Sherman Parking Area (also known as “Horse Creek”).
Other Locations
Continental Divide Trail
The Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail (CDST) is an unique trail system that provides a variety of terrain and snow conditions through the Bridger Teton National Forest. The Pinedale region has 135 miles of groomed trail and is an excellent location for your training efforts, likely the best in the West.
For trail access, travel US 191 north to Highway 352 east to road's end at the Upper Green River Parking Area. Public restrooms are available at the trailhead.
Irish Canyon
South of Pinedale, there is a 26 mile ungroomed trail of the CDST to Blucher Creek Safety Shelter. For trail access travel south on US 191 to Boulder HWY- 353 east to Irish Canyon Parking Area.
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