Nearing the finish line at Poplar Lake, Patty Johnson had to laugh as her dog Kota (black) and another dog, a husky, decided they would rather play than pull their masters in the Dog Days of Winter skijoring event held last weekend. Patty ended up down—but not out—as she returned to her skis and finished the race with a smile on her and Kota’s face. Photo courtesy of John Stember
Spring felt well on its way this weekend with temperatures cresting 40º F as the annual Dog Days of Winter event took place up the trail at Devil’s Track and Poplar Lake. Put on by Visit Cook County and hosted by a variety of lodges, this late season gathering celebrates the return of the sun, snowmobile races, and a non-competitive atmosphere for sled dogs and people.
With a spring snowstorm blooming over Poplar Lake on Sunday, young and old dog mushers headed out with either eight, six, or four dogs for the sled dog derbies. It was a short, slushy run with nearly whiteout conditions.
On the sidelines, carefree kids crashed down snow berms and bratwursts blackened over birch fire as wet snow fell. Following the sled dog derby, about 10 skiers and their dogs set out for a skijoring race over a two-to five-mile course.
Earlier in 2019, Trail Center’s parking lot bustled with dog trucks and paws during the competitive John Beargrease and Gunflint Mail Run sled dog races. On this much quieter weekend, the atmosphere at Poplar Lake was light-hearted and cheerful. A few kids tried out their first race on the runners and a few senior dogs ran their final race.
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