Snowshoeing with dogs a unique way to experience Enchanted Forest
Under a deep blue sky, I work my way up the trail that rises before me. The evergreen forest that surrounds the trail is beautiful, but still bears the scars of the December snow squall that hit hard here more than a year ago. I’m snowshoeing at the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area, and I’m not alone. My 2-year-old Labrador retriever Osita is with me, thrilled to be on a new trail that is full of interesting sights and smells.
We are exploring the east area dog trails that are open to snowshoers and cross country skiers with dogs. At the area there are just over 3 miles of dog-friendly trails, along with 20 miles of cross country ski trails, and 9 miles for snowshoeing. I’ve been curious to explore the dog trails at Enchanted Forest — wondering how difficult it might be to navigate the trails while managing Osita on a leash at the same time.
Studying the map, I see that there are mostly easy trails here with a few more difficult sections. We follow the signs to reach trails like “Fetch” and “Holly’s Rainbow.” Climbing up through the forests on the wide trails that have groomed sections for skiers and rougher sections for snowshoers, we gain altitude and begin to see breaks in the forest that grant us glimpses of the snowy peaks to the southeast.
It’s a weekday, so we have the trails to ourselves. We stop for a moment, listening to the chickadees and an unseen bird of prey. For that moment, we are part of the snowy wonderland with its sense of solitude, wonder and peace.
Although there are several things to manage between the dog, the
snowshoes and a hiking pole, surprisingly everything falls into place as we are walking; it feels harmonious and natural.
The snowshoes I’m trying from Enchanted Forest are made of foam by Crescent Moon; they feel more like flotation devices than traditional metal snowshoes. They are small and light, reducing some of the awkwardness that comes with heavier snowshoes. I don’t experience the fatigue I usually feel when I’m climbing uphill on snowshoes. Although Osita is very energetic and still learning to walk on the leash, we don’t get tangled up more than once or twice and she’s able to continue smelling everything on the trail as we move uphill.
At the top, there is a small clearing with views of Wheeler Peak. We pause to rest and drink some water and refuel before heading back down. As we retrace our steps, I see a set of tracks going through the woods on a trail named Fairytale that’s not on the map. We take it, and it leads us directly back to the base area cabin. Our loop was 1.5 miles with an elevation gain of about 200 feet, reaching a high point of 9,978 feet.
Base area
Back at the base, we meet another dog coincidentally also named Osita, a husky/shepherd mix that turns out to belong to Enchanted Forest Co-owner Ellen MillerGoins. We also meet Gini Dunlap from Santa Fe and Janet Todd from Memphis, Tenn., who are preparing their gear for a night in one of three overnight rental yurts.
Miller-Goins explained that the three overnight yurts at Enchanted Forest were damaged or destroyed during the December 2021 snow
squall. Two have been repaired. The yurt on the dog trail, however, was almost completely flattened by a tree that fell on it during the storm and only stayed standing due to the steel-framed bunk beds inside. It has been dismantled and will be rebuilt this summer.
After all the gear is loaded, Dunlap and Todd head into the Enchanted Forest base cabin to rent cross country skis that will take them to their yurt. Miller-Goins starts up the snowmobile to deliver their gear to the yurt and takes off, with her own dog in pursuit.
Meanwhile, Osita and I settle in on a picnic blanket near the lodge in the sun. Soon, a bank of dark clouds rolls in across the tops of the pine trees. The next day, a storm would come that would bring more than 2 feet of new snow.
Snow squall
Since December 2021, Enchanted Forest staff and volunteers have been working hard to clear the trees that not only destroyed the yurts but also downed trees across the entire area, blocking trails.
“A neighbor clocked the wind that day at 130 mph,” said MillerGoins. “The winds spared the base area but hit the dog trails hard, along with the Northwest Passage Trail. Several trails had flattened zones where the wind seemed to funnel through. We were devastated but also grateful as people came out to support us, contributing to the Go Fund Me account and volunteering to clear the trails of trees.”
As the area recovers, she is focusing on nurturing new trees. “This last fall, we could see the aspens in a way we never had before. The loss of trees did open up new views,” she said.
Just Desserts
This Saturday (Feb. 25), beginning at noon, Enchanted Forest celebrates “Just Desserts,” an opportunity to ski or snowshoe and sample local dessert favorites. Desserts like apple-raisin bread, tiramisu, fudge, a variety of pies and more from local restaurants and bakers are set out along a 5-kilometer trail. Skiers and snowshoers are invited to travel out and try them.
“With this snowstorm, all our trails should be spectacular, just in time for Just Desserts,” said MillerGoins.
History of Enchanted Forest
Enchanted Forest founders, the late John and Judy Miller (Ellen Miller-Goins’ parents), originally were part owners of a resort near Red River known as Powderpuff, during the 1970s. After that, John Miller took people into the forest for guided cross country skiing.
In 1985, the couple started Enchanted Forest. When they started it, there were some old logging roads in place. The family added more trails over time, giving them fanciful names from “Alice in Wonderland” or names that commemorated family events. Ellen Miller-Goins and Geoff Goins purchased the area in 2010. Founders John and Judy Miller passed away last year at Thanksgiving only four days apart. They were both inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame in 2008.
To find out more and purchase tickets for Just Desserts, visit enchantedforestxc.com.