Snowshoeing at Rabbit Ears

While in Steamboat, we went snowshoeing on two different trails on Rabbit Ears pass. Thanks to our friends Zorro, Jack, and Rudy (and their mom) for the recommendation. We had great weather on the first day. Kat was so excited to be in snow again.

Gus wasn’t sure if he liked snow at first, but since we were snowshoeing, he didn’t have any choice but to be in the snow. 

We walked along the trail for a while and then went off trail to a clearing so Kat and Gus could play on their long leashes. Kat had so much fun bounding through the powdery snow, but Gus preferred to stay on the trail. 

David decided we should stay off trail for a while. There was still a path from previous people, but it wasn’t as packed as the “official” trail. Boy, it was hard going! We had to stop for plenty of breaks. I used letting Kat rest as my excuse, but it was really me who needed to rest! 

Sometimes Kat went so slow on the trail and stopped all the time that we let Gus lead the way. Kat hated that though and barked and yelled the whole time.  So mostly Kat went in front and set the pace. Gus is a good boy and just goes with the flow.

Once we found the “official” trail again, I was really relieved and the hiking got easier. We had some really pretty views, as David and the pups show off in this picture.  (The sun was in Kat’s eyes.)

On the next day, we went to a different trail at Rabbit Ears. It was a four mile loop. Everything was going well. Kat was, of course, loving the snow. 

I think Gus was still tired, because every time we stopped, he looked like he was going to take a nap, resting his head on the snow. 

About 1 mile into the trail, it started snowing and the wind was blowing a lot. Around 1.4 miles in, we stopped to discuss whether we should turn around. Gus turned to look at David and me during this discussion and the snow was blowing in his eyes so badly that he immediately turned back around. We decided to keep going, but after another 0.15 miles, we were having trouble seeing the trail, so we decided to turn around. About that time, Gus found a hole under a pine tree where the branches shielded him from the snow. He did not want to come out! Eventually the snow stopped, but we decided to keep going back to the car, just in case. Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures from this because I didn’t want my phone to get wet. 

Even though we didn’t do the whole loop, the pups were still tired. Gus was wiped out!

I think everyone had a great time snowshoeing and we just wish we got to do it more.