Dog sledding tours open near Lake Wenatchee

PLAIN – Dirty Face Dog Mushing, a new dog sledding business near Lake Wenatchee, offers trail rides that combine outdoor adventure with an educational experience, welcoming guests of nearly all ages and abilities.

The sled can accommodate two people at a time, and carry up to 400 pounds. With the exception of pregnant women and children under two years old, the tour welcomes guests with diverse needs, including individuals on the autism spectrum and those who use wheelchairs. 

“I've had a lot of people, when I've taken them out on tours, be like, ‘This is a once in a lifetime experience.’ It's cool, too. It doesn't matter your age or anything. This is a pretty friendly experience to anyone…And we are very understanding, and we'll take it slow,” said owner Bella Gilreath. 

Gilreath has spent the last three and a half years working with dogs, primarily in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where her mushing experience inspired her to open her own business in her hometown at 23 years old.

During her time in Jackson Hole, Gilreath not only honed her skills but also shared her passion for mushing with her friend Lavi Capusan, who now helps operate Dirty Face Dog Mushing.

“When we got out there and they were hooked up to the sled, I was amazed at how excited they were, and how it was very clear that the dogs could not wait to go and pull the sled…And I think that that's something that gets lost sometimes. You think, ‘A dog is just like, my friend, my companion,’ but there are dogs that love to work, and these are those dogs,” said Capusan.

The sledding team is made up of seven Alaskan Huskies: Teddy, Panda, Sasquatch, Pika, Tlingit, Xena, and Buckaroo. According to Gilreath, getting dogs to pull a sled doesn’t require much training, but a dog must inherently want to pull in order for it to work. Many of the dogs on the team were not born and raised as sled dogs, but have been rescues who have picked it up naturally.

“[Xena] was found on the streets, like, really, really, really thin, and then was kind of being bounced around from house to house. [She] just couldn't find the right fit that could help her get the exercise that she needed…And then she ended up with me, and she's just been amazing from day one,” said Gilreath.

The team, blending newcomers like Xena with seasoned veterans like Panda – an Iditarod runner – thrives on the unique strengths each dog brings to the dynamic.

“Their personalities do come out on the lines, and you can see the difference in their characters. And [Panda] is just feisty. She knows what she wants, and she yells at the other dogs and lets them know, like, ‘Hey, you got to follow me. We're going this way. Get into line,’” said Gilreath.

While the dogs provide the muscle, guiding a sled requires human expertise and teamwork. Gilreath and Capusan must call the right directions, throw their weight into maneuvering the sled, and constantly interpret each dog’s body language.

“I think it's really cool to work with a team of dogs, see what they can do and how smart they are…For somebody that's new to it, like there's so much more to learn than you would think,” said Capusan.

The tours aim to be as much of an educational experience as they are an outdoor adventure.  While guests spend time with the dogs, Gilreath and Capusan will share the history of the sport, the traits of Alaskan Huskies, and the diet and care that go into ensuring their high endurance athletes stay healthy and supported.

The tours are currently held at Pine River Ranch near Lake Wenatchee. For details, visit dirtyfacedogmushing.com.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media