Manastash Ridge - Boy Scout Trail — Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022

Today, we didn’t really snowshoe up the Boy Scout Trail, but went up it for just maybe a quarter mile or so and then headed off to the right (west) on tracks leading to the Prater Trail, passed that trail, and continued west and uphill for an hour or so. The terrain and snow made for delightful traveling. It alternated between sagebrush, timber, and open areas. We crossed several other tracks, animal and human, and kept working up and west.  This was a great workout and offered wonderful views of the rolling hills and glimpses of the valley below. When the afternoon light began to wane towards evening, we turned back and cut cross-country to intersect the Prater Trail and then down.  At the turnaround, we went side hill for a bit, and that’s when my snowshoe broke. Again! A rivet failed, and the snowshoe was the rest of the way sloppy on the foot. I was disgusted, as this was the second time in the last couple of years that this shoe failed.  And it shouldn’t do so. It is made by a very popular snowshoe manufacturer, and I see their snowshoes often in the area. They aren’t cheap. They should be made durable. The last time it failed, of course in the middle of winter like this time, I called them and mailed it in and had to wait six (6!) weeks for the fix. Not acceptable.  I’m done with them. I just ordered another brand and they will arrive within the week, which really matters, as I use them several times a week. In the meantime, I will be picking trips appropriate for my skis, or use my wife’s snowshoes ( the ones I bought to use while mine were being fixed the first time).  Anyway, it’s a first world problem, and despite the frustration, I had a great trip today out in the hills and on new, fluffy snow.