Darby Dog Derby ‘Runs’ This Weekend

The cross-country trails at Chief Joseph Pass will be busy this weekend, January 14-15, with the 10th Annual Darby Dog Derby.

The dog sled races and dog skijoring will start both Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. After an initial hour of skijoring with dogs pulling humans on skis, the regular dog sled races begin at 10:30 a.m.

Organizer Nicki Arndt said the larger teams (8-dog and 6-dog teams) will hit the trail first and will follow the trail to the Trail Creek parking lot. In that area, they will turn around and head back to the start-finish line at the pass.

Next up will be the 4-dog and 2-dog teams on a shorter course.

Saturday at about 2 p.m., the Peewee dog sled race will be held. A limit of 10 youngsters will be on the sled and the dogs take them on a very short course in the start-finish line area. There will not be a peewee race on Sunday.

There is no admission charge for spectators. Concessions will be available at the start-finish line area.

Parking will be available at Lost Trail Powder Mountain parking lot and limited parking at the Gibbons Pass lot east of US 93 at the intersection with Montana 43. You can also park at the Chief Joseph cross-country parking lot farther east on Montana 43 and cross-country ski back to the starting line. Please watch for traffic and pedestrians on US 93 and Montana 43.

There's more information at the Bitterroot Mushers website.

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