A Brief History of Team and Trail®

Team and Trail® began in the early days of modern sled dog racing, rooted in the work of Dick and Cindy Molburg. What started in the late 1950s as a working dog team on trap lines quickly evolved into a deep commitment to the sport. By 1957, the Molburg family was already participating in races, and within a few years, they were fully immersed in the growing world of sled dog competition.

Their connection with Lee and Mel Fishback, early founders of Team and Trail, led Cindy Molburg to take on an editorial role with the publication. Not long after, she became its publisher. The newspaper was produced in her home, printed on a press set up in her front room and assembled by her family around the kitchen table.

From those modest beginnings, Team and Trail became one of the most influential voices in sled dog racing. The publication played a key role in connecting mushers across regions and countries, documenting the sport’s evolution, and supporting the development of formal racing structures. The Molburgs were directly involved in the formation of the International Sled Dog Racing Association, helping establish standardized rules that allowed the sport to grow on a global scale.

Their impact extended beyond publishing. Through their work with clubs such as the Lakes Region Sled Dog Club, they helped sustain major events like the Laconia World Championship and supported the continued development of organized racing in North America and beyond.

Cindy Molburg remained deeply connected to the sport throughout her life. In 2011, she co-authored The History of Dog Sledding in New England, drawing from decades of experience and the extensive Team and Trail archives to document the legacy of sled dog culture.

In 2023, Team and Trail entered a new chapter. Dr. Robert and Michele Forto, publishers of Mushing Magazine, acquired the publication to preserve its history and expand its role for a new generation. Now based in Alaska, Team and Trail continues its original purpose while evolving into a broader platform for storytelling, leadership, and community.

The Mission Today

Today, Team and Trail is more than a publication. It is a platform dedicated to preserving the heritage of sled dog culture while advancing leadership, education, and connection through outdoor experiences.

Through its work, Team and Trail highlights the people, stories, and lessons that come from life on the trail. It serves both as a historical archive and as a living, active voice in the mushing and outdoor communities.

Our Nonprofit Work

The mission extends through the Team and Trail Foundation, which focuses on expanding access to leadership development through real-world, experiential learning. The foundation supports initiatives that connect individuals, particularly students and emerging leaders, to the outdoors as a classroom.

Rather than teaching leadership in theory, the foundation creates opportunities for people to experience it in real conditions, where decisions matter and outcomes are real.

Follow the Journey: Chaser and Dream

At the center of this next chapter is the story of Chaser and Dream, a working sled dog team that represents the living connection between tradition and the future.

Their journey is not just about miles traveled. It is about partnership, resilience, and the lessons that only come from the trail. Through their training, travel, and expedition work, they serve as a window into what this life actually looks like.

We invite you to follow their journey, learn from the trail, and be part of the story as it unfolds.

Get Involved

If you believe in preserving this legacy and supporting the next generation of leaders, there are several ways to be part of the mission. You can follow the journey, share the stories, and support the work through the Team and Trail Foundation.

To learn more, get involved, or connect with us directly, contact us at 907-841-1686 or explore@teamandtrail.org.