It was a very beautiful day in Mazama today, made even better by the fact temperatures broke the 20 degree mark for the first time in days. We settled on a family snowshoe activity to get out and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. Since the Lunachick trail, maintained by MVSTA, is nearby we decided to go there. The parking lot near the Edelweiss camping area was crowded, perhaps a testament to it’s popularity based on a few factors: 1) it’s multi-use–ski, snowshoe, walk, etc; 2) you can bring your 4-legged family member (i.e. your dog); and probably the biggest factor of all 3) it’s FREE! Although if you are looking for a machine groomed trail, you can forget this one, for snowshoes and skis are doing all the grooming here. After getting our fill of sun and snow, we turned back to the parking lot, following some distance behind a party with 2 canines. On final approach to the lot, I noticed one of the ladies looking back at us. I looked down to spy this mess: 
Ok, I know that’s gross, but that’s my point. It’s gross! I figured that woman must have been looking back to see if we had stepped in her dog’s excrement. Satisfied that we had not (or disgruntled that we hadn’t) she went on her merry way. Now I love dogs as much as the next person, and being a former dog owner I know a thing or two about doggy etiquette. Rule numero uno in my book is to always clean up after your pooch. If you don’t intend to pack it out, please pack it away from the trail! At any rate, we had a great time outdoors and hope to get out there again soon.
Posted on December 30th, 2007 by aana
Filed under: Snowshoeing, family outings
Sounds fun! For those without equipment and want to try, where can you rent snowshoes and gear? Lessons needed? And you people with dogs, shame on you if you aren’t carrying plastic bags!
Snowshoeing is ALMOST as easy as walking, esp. with today’s snowshoes. Some people use poles for balance, but there not totally necessary. As for rentals, you can get them at Winthrop Mountain Sports in downtown Winthrop http://www.winthropmountainsports.com/rentals.html for starters. I’ll post more info on equipment rentals soon.