For details about the 2011 La Pine Mushing weekend please click here.
Spring is here……. Time to mow the lawn, train on dirt, wash the truck….. and plan for next Fall’s mushing events!
Once again, Karen Yeargain is organizing a “fun-for-all” mushing weekend at La Pine State Park, in La Pine, Oregon. She had a couple of inquiries as to having the weekend earlier, which she strongly considered. There was, however, a PSDSA (Pacific States Sled Dog & Skijor Association) event that conflicted with her doing so this year, so she's sticking to Veteran’s Day weekend this year.
This year’s event will be the second weekend of November, which falls on the 12th (Friday), 13th & 14th. Some of us will arrive the afternoon of Thursday the 11th, to get settled in. We will be hoping for damp trails and cool temps, but no snow. This event is a dirt run, so plan on carts, quads, bikes and scooters. Runs will be arranged to provide a variety of training opportunities, including passing (from behind and head on), team weaving, directional command training, hills, etc. There is quite a variety of nice dirt trails to choose from. The event is open to anyone regardless of mushing style and experience (or lack thereof); bikejoring and scootering teams are welcome. Trails are suitable for all functions unless we get a surprise dump of snow that makes them dangerous for bikes or scooters.
Organized runs will be on Saturday and Sunday mornings; meet for breakfast at the conference lodge at 6:30 am or at the meadow about 7:15. The meadow (staging area) is about 1/8 mile before you get to the South Loop of the Park, on your right. One of our Cascade Sled Dog Club attendees has volunteered to print up trail maps so folks can better keep track of where they are!
The event has the use of the meeting hall on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (until 1 pm on Monday). It has a refrigerator/freezer, microwave, sink with hot/cold running water, tables and a heater. We will have a potluck meal on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at about 1 pm; other meals will be informal potluck at the participants’ discretion…. We never lack for enough good food!
Karen will be planning a couple of presentations on Saturday and possibly on Sunday. Topics still to be determined. These will be right after the potluck, so bring a dish, join the meal and talk dogs!
Campsites at La Pine State Park are suitable for tents or R.V.’s; all have electrical hookups and water. Bathrooms with shower facilities (included in camping fee) are in our immediate area; bring your own towels and toiletries.
There are five “rustic” cabins (two double futons, a table, electricity and heat) and five “deluxe” cabins (two double futons in separate rooms, toilet/shower, heat, running water, microwave, fridge, barbecue). Rustic cabin #1 and Deluxe cabin #44 have been designated “pet friendly” this year as a pilot, meaning that up to 2 dogs are allowed in these two cabins; whether that continues and/or expands depends on how well guests manage their inside dogs. There are no dogs allowed in the other cabins, same as in the past. THIS RULE WILL BE STRONGLY ENFORCED THIS YEAR, AS WE HAD SOME COMPLAINTS FROM THE PARK ABOUT DOG HAIR IN NON-DOG CABINS; THIS IS IMPORTANT DUE TO FUTURE CAMPERS WHO MIGHT HAVE ALLERGIES.
Each person needs to make their own site arrangements. To make reservations for a campsite or cabin, go online to www.ReserveAmerica.com or call Reservations Northwest at (800) 452-5687, specify La Pine State Park, South Loop. Also, state that you are with the SLED DOG GROUP/MUSHING WEEKEND so that they can note that on your reservations. That way the reservations folks can advise non-mushing campers as they make reservations and give them the option to be close to the activities or further away, as they prefer.
Please let her know if you are planning to attend so that she may organize the event well and be able to provide updates as we get closer to November.
Questions, please e-mail Karen through her site
Please cross-post and pass along to anyone who would be interested.
Karen Yeargain
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