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The Canadian Rangers will get their first good look at the Yukon Quest trail this weekend.

Thirty-four members of the territory鈥檚 patrol team were deployed this morning, patrol sergeant and trail coordinator John Mitchell told the Star.

His troops will forge the trail between the Takhini Hot Springs and the Alaska-Yukon border.

Mitchell said talking about changes to the race trail is still 鈥減remature.鈥�

Temperatures have risen above zero this past week, and the Yukon River remains open downtown.

鈥淏ecause the trail is such a dynamic thing, anything to do with it is usually left much later than most of the public realizes,鈥� Yukon board president Michael Peterson said from Victoria,鈥圔.C., today.

鈥淭he trailbreakers go out much later than you think. There鈥檚 something in the region of 5,000 or 6,000 trail markers that go on the trail, and all you need is a storm and those would be all gone.鈥�

With the Rangers taking a hard look at the Yukon portion of the trail this weekend, race officials should have a much better idea as to what the race route looks like some time next week, Peterson added.

Each year, the Rangers groom about 800 kilometres of trail in a four-phase process that simulates an army exercise.

The partnership with the Quest began in 1991.

The teams cover ground on snowmobile, pulling sleds packed with chainsaws, axes and camping gear.

The grooming process consists of creating a hardened base layer of snow on which snowmobiles, dogs and sleds can travel safely.

Last year, warm weather saw the race finish line moved to the Takhini Hot Springs. The last two race routes have been modified due to poor trail conditions.

The 2015 race will begin in Whitehorse again this year, with the current start line expected to be at Shipyards Park Feb. 7.

In Alaska, racing conditions are poor, with the lack of snow base cited in delays to shorter-distance races including the Tustumena 200.

鈥� 鈥� 鈥�

Meanwhile, the first mushing race of the season is expected to take place this weekend in Mount Lorne.

The Carbon Hill sled dog race is scheduled for Sunday, and will include six-, 10- and 30-mile race categories for skijorers and mushers.

The 30-mile race will follow a new trail this year along the scenic Alligator Lake trail.

The long distance race will get underway at 11 a.m. with an awards ceremony slated for 2:30 p.m.

The Dog Powered Sports Association of the Yukon (DPSAY) has incorporated the popular Carbon Hill race into its recreational Twister series this year. The series will continue into April at a variety of locations.