Dog Valley near Verdi, NV

Drove up late and found the trail head. It's actually a road normally, but it's not plowed and I'm pretty sure it's not paved for much of the way. There really wasn't that much snow and the snowmobiles (and one Subaru with chains) had made the surface nice and hard. Still, I wasn't sure where the trail would take me and if I decided to go off the road I would want the snowshoes. I strapped them on while Commando waited extremely impatiently.

It's a steady climb with the surrounding hills bare due to a forest fire in the 90's. I was surprised to see no new tree growth. The snow was very powdery and dry. To create snowballs for Commando was very difficult.

The most interesting part were some tracks up and down the hill we were on and on the hill across the little canyon. Commando followed the tracks straight up the hill and they apparently went through the deep, new snow in parallel with the road. There were a few places where they dropped back down. He found these tracks VERY interesting and could barely be removed from them.

They were animal tracks, probably something about Commando's size or perhaps a bit smaller. The snow was too fluffy to take a print. I could see tracks on the opposite hill and the critter had carefully checked under rocks, downed trees, tree trunks, and other places that rodents would likely be. In some places the animal seemed to be leaping as there would be an animal shaped hole, then untouched snow, then another hole.

I couldn't help but think of the lone wolverine, although it seems to be living west of here. I'm sure if was just a coyote.

On our way back down Commando followed the animal track on the ridge above the road. He didn't come when called. When he FINALLY came down, his ruff was up and he was very reluctant and excited to be going back. I wish I understood his language so I could know what he smelled!