Loon Lake Tales

Had a great time at the Beargrease Sled Dog Race again this year. Our part of the race is just a small snap shot. I work with the check in and check out of teams at Trail Center. Reporting times and number of dogs for each team to the race managers. Teams started arriving a 7:15 pm and continued until around 4:20 am after a few hours rest they then started to leave. The last team out left at 6:00am. Temps were in the 20 below range but the dogs were ready to go. I on the other hand was ready for bed!

With the race coming through Loon Lake this year I wanted to get at least one picture of a team coming down the bay. It was about 8:00 am when I thought I saw the first dog approaching but it was just a single dog and it took me a few minutes to realize it was a wolf following the trail of the sled dogs. He walked on the trail from the point across from the Lodge to just short of the boat landing. I quietly watched hoping I could get a good picture but something spooked him and he was gone like a flash. Shortly a team did come around the point heading for the Lodge.

After the teams pasted I headed to bed to get some sleep. Each year I have more and more respect for the mushers and their teams. The race ended with the first team back to Duluth on Wednesday afternoon. If you ever wanted to see a race up close check out the dates for next year. The "Shack" offers a great view of the teams coming down the lake and if you want you can go and cheer the teams on as they come off the lake. I guarantee it is something you don't see everyday.