WINTERSPORTS -- The pair of moose that have been hanging out on the nordic skiing trails at Mount Spokane for the past week  or so appear to be making the Shadow Mountain area their home.

They were undaunted on Sunday just off the course of the Spokane Langlauf as more than 200 cross-country skiers raced by.  Several racers abandoned hopes for a spectacular time by stopping to photograph a moose at the Twin Lakes trail junction.

Today Jim and Sheila Harless reported a moose leaving fresh droppings on the groomed tracks on the hill up Shadow.

The massive critter was greasing the skids for this weekend's Nordic Cup and National Junior Qualifier races with equally massive piles of pooh. 

Some interesting waxing discussions could be going on in the team waxing tents this weekend: 

"Will a dab of silver klister prevent icing, and moose dung pickup?"

Or maybe the moose can be potty-trained.

Moose diapers?  Maybe, but who would put them on and take them off?

Should the groomer carry a pooper scooper?   State unions might rule that out.

So we'll have to live with the creature. Near nature, near perfect.