Fairbanks: Dog Mushing through Fall Landscapes on a UTV

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ID: GYG406079-737328
Category:
Country: United States

Duration: 01:30 hours


Description

Mush through the fall colors on a comfortable cart as the dogs splash through puddles and yips with pleasure on this private tour. Learn all about dog mushing, racing and living off-grid.
How do you dog sled without snow? Mush through the stunning fall landscape on our comfortable UTV. Experience the excitement of fall training when the dogs get back in harness after a long summer break.

Join us for the start of our mushing season and experience the excitement as the dogs return to the trails after a summer long mushing hiatus. Mush through the fall colors on a comfortable side-by-side as the team splashes through puddles and yips with pleasure. Learn all about dog mushing, racing and living off-grid. Guests are encouraged to dress warm and prepare for potential wet & muddy conditions. Fall rain gear is not provided.

**Trail mileage for the Fall Mush varies from 2 to 7 miles as the dogs become more conditioned and we can lengthen the mileage of their training runs. This also dictates the change of scenery (i.e. black spruce stands to birch stands, ponds, streams and fields).

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is a side-by-side? A side-by-side is a UTV (utility task vehicle) designed like a golf cart. Unlike an ATV, a side-by-side has car-like controls with pedals, a steering wheel and bench seats that sits 6 passengers. They're called side-by-sides because they usually have two seats beside each other, with the addition of back seats.

Do dogs accompany us on the fall tours? Yes, even though we are operating on side-by-sides, the dogs still pull us down the trail. This is part of their fall training to condition them for the upcoming winter mushing season.

When do we convert to sleds? We convert to sleds when we have a sufficient snow base to safely control a dog team. This requires at least 2 to 4 inches of compacted snow for the brakes and snow hooks on a dog sled to properly work.

What are the mushing conditions like in the fall? Temperatures are cooler in the fall months, ranging from 40 degrees Fahrenheit in September to 15 below Fahrenheit or colder in November. Fall can also be rainy time of year, switching over to dustings of snow later in the season, so come prepared for the elements.

What do we see on a fall mushing tour? Early in September our trails are bright with fall colors. Fall foliage season is short live however and leaves quickly litter the trails by the end of September. Be prepared to see different species of wildlife, from moose to spruce grouse and migrating cranes.

Highlights

  • Enjoy hands-on time with Alaskan Huskies
  • Sip on hot drinks along the trail
  • Search for wildlife at the beaver pond
  • Multiple photo ops along the trail

Guiding languages

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Important Driving Instructions:
- Do not use Kaufman Lane
- Snow Leopard does not connect Kauffman Lane to Grange Hall Road
- You must use Grange Hall Road to access Snow Leopard Drive
- Follow Snow Leapard to Gettinger Road
- Follow the green "Mushing Co-op" signs
Please arrive at the exact time of your tour. Tours are booked by reservation only and guides require time to prepare for the tour to ensure a well rounded experience. Please follow directions closely: Take Chena Hot Springs road east Follow the green mile markers to mile post 21 Take a right onto Grange Hall road Do not take Kauffman Lane (this is a trail, though google has it falsely denoted as a thruway) Take a left onto Snow Leopard Follow the green “Mushing Co-op” signs
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED

When should I book?

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.


Cancellations

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.