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Although there is some snow coming in the next week, only 1 to 2 inches is predicted. There won’t be enough to safely manage dog teams on the trails. We have three different trail-heads and trail systems under permit with the USDA Forest Service. with two different Forests, the Klamath and Shasta-Trinity and the option of two different dates: Feburary 11 and 12 and then March 17 and 18 coming up. We have been holding out hope that out of this coming system, that we would get one good dumping on top of our snow pack of a few groomed inches at the Pilgrim Creek Site. The other 2 sites have no snow now. Our Forest Service Meteorologist has informed us this afternoon that the system coming in, is going to be weaker than expected. With only accumulations of an inch or two at times with rain before and after.
As much as want to be racing we must consider safety for the dogs and mushers alike. We don’t feel that there will be enough snow, to safely stop, set a snow-hook that will hold in case a dog or musher is in trouble. We hope that you will all understand. Entry fees can be refunded or rolled over to next winter. More info for next year’s race coming soon.
We are also looking for volunteer mushers for our Free Kids Rides Day next December. A great way to give back to the sport and an opportunity to educate the public of the sport we dearly love.
Bad News Today Folks: The temperatures have been hot, and the snow is melting, sublimating, and compacting fast. Pat Campbell visited, Pilgrim Creek (our only race location with adequate snow right now) and the snow level on the Machine groomed route that was 5 inches last Friday is now 2 to 3 inches deep, half gone in 4 days. The un-groomed snow is loosing depth even faster. Friday evening’s 16 inches is down to 6 inches this evening. A storm is supposed to be coming in Saturday 3/10 to Thursday 3/15 but it is mostly rain that is predicted with some snow possible. Maybe it will cool off, but right now it is not looking good. We are planning to make a decision on whether to have the race by this Friday 3/9.
The Forest Service has approved our petition to Add the Pilgrim Creek Snowmobile site to our list of snow parks available to use as our race start area. This is the site shown in the previous post which had 16 inches of snow last Friday. A storm appears to be coming in this weekend but currently it is listed as a mix of rain and snow so it could save or sink us. Regards, Doug Hake
 My dog Tundra is shown (at left) standing in 16 inches the snow at a potential alternate  race site on the south east side of Mount Shasta. The Feb 28-29 storm was much more generous with snow on the south side of Mount Shasta. We are seeking approval of the Forest Service to use this as another backup race site. If approved, the outlook for the race is pretty positive. We will have a better idea on Tuesday March 6 if we will get approval or not. Currently this area is groomed on one out and back path. We may also be able to groom in some loop routes. The groomed snow has been packed down to 5 inches (as shown on right) and should last until the race unless it gets unseasonably hot or we have rain.
The Snow storm which dropped 12 inches on my home in Mt Shasta was not so generous with snow at our race site at Deer Mountain race site 20 miles from Weed CA, only 4 inches fell. However, 8 inches of snow fell at our Alternate race site at Four Corners Snowmobile Park and the Forest service was able to get their groomer on it today. A new storm is coming in next week, lets hope it is a cold and snowy one and allows us to have the race at Deer Mountain which is a bigger more accessible site. Four Corners is a bit colder than Deer Mountain and holds the snow a bit better, but it is 50 additional miles from Weed California making the total drive from Weed 66 miles. The small town of of Macdoel is 27 miles from 4 Corners. The Town of Doris is 38 miles from 4 Corners. The City of Klamath Falls is 58 miles from Four Corners.
We will make a decision on which venue at least a week before the March 17-18 race date.
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) is predicting 6 to 15 inches of snow accumulation at Deer Mountain by Thursday March 1, followed by temperature predictions ranging from 14 – 48°F til Monday March 5. Visit the NOAA forecast for Deer Mountaiin at: <http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.570006568724365&lon=-122.13007001953125&site=mfr&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text>
Sled Dog Races March 17-18 are looking likely.
After looking at weather predictions for early February (Warm 45-53°F days, 17-24°F nights with some rain and no snow accumulation), We have decided to cancel our Feb 11-12 races and reschedule them for March 17-18.
The storm that came in Jan 19 and dropped snow until Jan 23 down to elevations of 2000 feet has had a warm finish and has in the last few days brought rain to elevations below 6000 feet. If we get and keep at least 12 inches of snow, the races will occur Feb 11-12. I drove out the our race sites today and we do not have sufficient snow at either the Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park race site or our alternate race site at Four Corners Snowmobile Park to hold the races. It has been warm and raining some the past couple of days and our first storm of the season has melted away quickly. If we do not have the races on Feb 11-12 we will run them on March 17-18. Stay tuned. NOAA weather at the linkhttp://www.noaa.gov/wx.htmlis predicting more rain/snow on Thursday and Sunday. You can check for yourself by entering the MacDoel Zip code 96058 on the clicking on our Deer Mtn Snowmobile Park or Four Corners Snowmobile Park Locations. We will make a decision next Tuesday as to whether we are going to postpone the races to March 17-18. We will need either a lot of snow by then or a big cold snowstorm headed our way to have the races Feb. 11-12.
Deer Mountain is about 16 miles south of MacDoel by south of Hebron Mount at 41.57° North, 122.13° West, 5800 feet, Jan 25 snow report: 0-2 inches of snow around the trails, Trails are slush, pavement or mud.
Four Corners is about 20 miles south east of MacDoel between Horse Peak and Hoffman Mount and between Tenant and Lava Beds National Monument at North 41.63°N and 121.73°W, 5300 feet, Jan 25 snow report: 0-5 inches of snow around the trails, the trails mostly covered 2 to 4 inches except where cut to pavement or ice by tire tracks. South trail is closed to auto traffic.
We Had Snow! Where did it Go?
I think its the rain you know. Into the ground it doth flow.
OH, Whoa is me, whoa, We need more snow for the races to go.
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Picture on left taken Jan 23 near Mt. Shasta Ski Park
Picture on right taken Jan 25 at Deer Mountain Snowmobile Park Race Site
 Sled Dogs sing for the snow!
Winter has definitely come to Siskiyou County. About a foot of snow has fallen at Deer Mountain in the first 24 hours of this storm which is forecast to continue until Wednesday January 25. Just in time for the Siskiyou Sled Dog Races scheduled for February 11-12, 2012 at the Deer Mountain/Chuck Best Memorial Snowmobile Park just north of Weed, California, off Hwy. 97. Start/Finish Line for all racing events is Deer Mountain/Chuck Best Snowmobile Park, just north of Weed on Hwy. 97, California. The Siskiyou Sled Dog Races is a free, family-oriented event. Parking is Free. A Warming hut with a wood stove is available. You’re invited to attend!
Dogsled teams come from all over the western states to compete on the challenging trails. Each day the competitions feature: 5 to 18 mile sprint and mid-distance races with 4, 6, and 8 dog teams;. An open-class race (up to 16 dogs); and a two dog skijor race (skiers pulled by dogs).
A fun-filled weekend of wonderful, exciting family experiences are planned in addition to the dogsled races. Learn about mushing. Play with a puppy. Meet the Mushers and their dogs. Build an igloo. Have your picture taken with a sled dog. And More! Food Concessions by the Weed/Lake Shastina Kiwanis Club. Their specialties include “hot dogs” and other warming delights. Buy a race shirt or hat.
After the Races on Saturday – Join competing mushers and race volunteers at the Weed Ale-House/Mt. Shasta Brewery in Weed for a “meet and mingle.”
Awards Ceremony will follow the Races on Sunday at the Deer Mtn./Chuck Best Warming Hut.
Support the Races: Siskiyou Snow Dog wool, fleece lined knit caps and 2012 Race T-Shirts are on sale now at: Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce; Mt. Shasta Brewery & Ale House in Weed; and Shoppe Serendipity in Yreka.
Explore this website to see pictures from past races and club events, more detailed directions, musher biographies, and for the most current event information. Questions? call 530-926-3641 or 530-598-0466 or write to info@siskiyousleddograces.net. Thanks to our volunteers and sponsors!
Siskiyou Sled Dog Races are project of the Siskiyou Snow Dog Sporting Association, a federal & California State recognized non-profit organization. The races are held under a Special Use Permit from the U.S.D.A. Klamath Nation Forest, Goosenest District Forest Service on a non-discriminatory basis.
 We welcome in 2012 by extending you and your family and friends a warm invite to attend the 2012 Siskiyou Sled Dog Races! The event is free. Parking is Free. Food Booth and Warming Hut available. The event is held annually at the Deer Mountain/Chuck Best Memorial Snowmobile Park just north of Weed, California, off Hwy. 97 on Feb. 11th and 12th. The challenging trails, camaraderie, and exciting competition attract dogsled teams from all over the western states and Alaska to the beauty of our terrain – our Siskiyou County hospitality brings them back and because we treat them so well. If you or your business have helped the SSDSA in any way – by donated to the races, offered assistance or services to any of our guests – Thank you! If you’ve attended one of the racing events, Free Kids Rides Day, or Contra Dances – Thank you! And last but not least – Thank you to our volunteers or sponsors who have so faithfully and generously supported our efforts and events.
2012 Siskiyou Sled Dog Races Hats and Knit Caps can be purchased now at the following Siskiyou County locations:
One of the best and easiest ways to support the races is to wear our race merchandise or purchase items for gifts.
Mt. Shasta Chamber of Commerce – 530-926-4865 – 300 Pine Street, Mt. Shasta CA 96067
Mt. Shasta Brewery & Ale House – 530-938-2394 – 360 College Ave., Weed, CA 96094
Shoppe Serendipity – 530-842-1993 – 213 S. Broadway, Yreka, CA 96097
2012 Race Tee-shirt – $16 (includes tax)
Race design on front / Sponsors and map on back. Short Sleeved, all cotton. Adult S, M, L, XL, & XXL
Siskiyou Snow Dog Knit Caps – $25 (includes tax)
Wool with fleece lining – one size fits all. Red, black and white. The words “SISKIYOU SNOW DOGS” and a musher with dog team are knitted into the design.
Call 530-926-3641 or 530-598-0466 with questions.
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2012 SLED DOG RACES MARCH 17-18 DEER MTN. SNOWMOBILE PARK 17 MILES NORTH EAST OF WEED CALIFORNIA
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