Sunday's Cold Ride to the Top with views

Zoe and I had so much fun on Saturday - we HAD to ride again on Sunday despite the chill.  It's off to the top of Mount Ephraim today - with Keri and Teasel. They are in a good mood after their hot breakfast and trot readily through snow trails and snowmobile trails, crossing brooks here and there --


Keri and Teasel traded lead spot on and off ..  some trail is deep snow -- some a snowmobile highway

 

And naturally - with it being a Sunday.. plenty of snow sleds out !

When we heard the buzz of engines - we stepped off the trail.. and I kept feeling like we were ruining their fun a bit as they were all slowing down cautiously --  but all friendly as I am not completely sure we are allowed to be riding on their trails in the winter. 

 

Just a few of the many we saw that day...  with the snow highway - we were able to trot and canter for most of the trip ..  much of it side by side -- except when Mister T plays his -- quick knock my partner off into the ditch.   Gotta love that guy :)  such a trickster - usually I can see it coming - but holding the camera with one hand up to my eye -- I am caught unaware... as he probably knew.

I did not take many photo's until we neared our quest. This is the view from about a third of the way .. from here, the snowmobile trail actually goes straight - we need to turn right UP the mountainside.





And it looks as though one brave soul has ventured up with his snow sled.. makes it a bit easier for us.











Whoops.. this guy is STUCK... apparently he noticed the tracks from a previous traveler and thought he could do it too... 

Half way views -- photo's just don't show how outstanding the views are... a quick video scene from here.

 

 

We are close now... 

Keri loses the lead .. steep trot up and she's feeling lazy now... come on Keri --

I know I keep saying we're almost there... and the trail just keeps winding up and up.... but truly.. this is it :)

Keri is feeling better now that the quest is in sight.. back in the lead :)

I have read that if you were raised by the ocean, your inner self also bonds well with a mountain top ... same ions in the air or something.  I love a mountain (as I was an eternally salt water resident as a child )  - and all of you who read my various TOP posts... you know I love a view :)  so bear with me as I present the views ....

Chillin' at the top -- even Keri is feeling appreciation for the beauty. 

My poor camera - three quarters frozen and always a foggy lens as I video along the trail and it gets knocked with overhanging snowy branches.  (or knocked by the T man, naughty boy )

Seems as though it's snowing off in that direction, you can barely see the big ski mountain.

We head down the other side -- which is a bit steeper... Keri is a big girl and leads the whole way.. a bit of slide on her haunches here and there... until we get back on the snow mobile wide trail for a quick trot and canter homeward.... the sun is low in the sky now

the woods have a more subdued light during a late winter afternoon.

the sun is setting behind us -  casting long shadows

What a superb trek !!  I can never decide -- during which season do I love this trail more ?  Fortunately I have the opportunity to experience the journey each quarter season fresh and anew :)

Enjoy ~