www.wta.org April 2008 » Washington Trails On Trail « Hiking withDogs Photo by “Sadie’s Driver” Dogs make some of the finest hiking companions. Sadie hikes with her “driver” on the Yellow Aster Butte Trail. Hiking with Your Best Buddy The Northwest is blessed with so many but sometimes that pushed her to the limits. places to venture in the outdoors—no matter Like the time I decided to do a trail run to the what your skill level. And, for some, it’s so top of Mount Dickerman in August. Not real much more enjoyable when you have a four- smart. She collapsed about a mile from the car legged companion to join you. The dogs I have on our way down. The combination of heat and seen on the trail seem so happy to be out roam- insufficient water took its toll. We made it back ing with their humans. fine, but I learned a lesson. Having hiked for a number of years all Some dogs are comfortable rock hopping around Washington and areas in British Colum- and scrambling, but many are not. Sadie could bia, my greatest enjoyment has been with my climb higher and faster than I could, but I al- Sadie’s buddy Sadie. This was a she-devil golden re- ways worried about what would happen when triever who, as a puppy, was a terror! But from she got to the top. Fortunately Sadie was quite Driver Sadie’s Driver lives her very first trip, being on the trail brought out confident on her feet and was cautious enough her best. Taking to the trail meant the chance to pay attention. Not all dogs are able to do in Seattle, is a regu- to be a dog—all that sniffing and exploring. that—so know your dog’s limits. lar trip report poster (Note: Sadie took her last hike in June 2007 Sadie (and Gusto) are water dogs so I always at www.wta.org and —she’s always with me in spirit.) tried to plan a water route, especially during spends many, many Hiking with a four-legged buddy is an all- the summer. In the winter, the snow is an days hiking the season event, as long as you are prepared. absolute treat. A dog’s fur is good protection, Cascades and be- Remember, dogs are subject to the same kind but short-haired, thin-coated dogs may not like yond, formerly with of environmental conditions that we are. Heat, the cold so much. Some people put “booties” Sadie, and now with cold, rain, snow, distance, elevation gain and on their dog’s paws in the winter or if they are her buddy Gusto. terrain difficulty are all factors that need to be taking them on rocky terrain. I don’t favor that taken into consideration when you plan your approach, primarily because a dog’s paws and She can be reached trip. Sadie was a devoted companion (as is claws are their advantage and ability to grip at sadie0925@ Gusto) and would do anything I asked of her, the trail (or the snow and ice). Think about it: yahoo.com. » On Trail April 2008 » Washington Trails www.wta.org You wouldn’t want to be on the ice without need to reapply. your crampons or Yaktrax. Dogs are the same My four-legged buddies have traveled with Good way—they need traction. If you’re worried about me on a real variety of trips. There are lots and snow getting between the dog’s toes, use pe- lots of trail guidebooks to help you find destina- Human! troleum jelly on the pad and between the toes. tions and routes. Here are a few of our favorite It works like a charm. Carry it with you if you hikes: Remember, not everyone thinks your four-legged friend is as cute as you do. Sorry. Non-dog lovers go to the wilder- ness to get away from it all too. So, respect their views too—and some people are afraid of dogs. Some things to remember: Maintain control over your dog at all times—wheth- er by leash or Photo by Nancy Higgins voice command. The dog is your responsibility and the dog doesn’t know the “rules of Where to Play the trail.” Fisher Lake. Another great U.S. 2 hike is Tunnel Don’t leave Relatively easy Creek to Hope and Mig Lakes. evidence of your Off I-90 east of Seattle, there are lots of good dog’s visit on the choices. But note, north of I-90 in the Mount trail—pack a blue Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, your dog Moderate, statewide bag. should be on a leash. Trust me, you will be These involve a little more driving (if you live If your dog can’t stopped by rangers (or disgruntled hikers who in the Puget Sound area) but are well worth the be trusted, or is a don’t enjoy dogs on the trail). Some trips to con- extra effort. Noble Knob and Norse Peak are barker, you might sider: Rattlesnake Ridge or, in the same area, just north of Mount Rainier. Near Mount Baker, want to consider a Cedar Butte. There are also lots of adventures try Welcome Pass, Excelsior, Hannegan Peak muzzle. Again, it’s on Tiger Mountain—but since this gets so much and Pass, and Yellow Aster Butte. Heading about everyone traffic, I try to avoid the popular routes and toward eastern Washington, Umtanum Ridge enjoying the out- head to the less-explored areas of Tiger. Tala- or Bird Song are great hikes. You also can’t go door experience. pus and Ollalie Lakes are relatively easy and wrong with about anything in the Teanaways good destinations almost any time of the year. in the eastern Alpine Lakes region. Try Iron Take food and Peak (a fabulous place to glissade during the water for your early spring), Miller, Hawkins, Fortune, Lake pup. Dogs need Moderate, near Snoqualmie Anne or Navajo/Little Navajo, to name a few energy too and gems in the Teanaways. will get thirsty. Pass When you pack Some absolute favorites include Mount Defi- your ten essen- ance via Mason Lake, Bandera, Lake Annette, Lundin Peak, Mount Margaret and Lake Marga- Difficult or more challenging tials, make sure Near Snoqualmie: Granite Mountain, McClel- ret/Melakwa Lakes. you are prepared lan Butte, Humpback, Silver, Kaleetan. Off the for pooch, too! Mountain Loop Highway, Vesper and Sperry. Avoid crowded Moderate, near Stevens Pass For a real challenge, an ascent of Mount areas—it will Moving away from the I-90 area (this is my Adams. reduce your stress preference, because there are fewer people and There are so many places to go, and your and your buddy’s you’re less likely to have as many unpleasant 4-paw drive companion will thank you, whether stress. non-dog enthusiast encounters!) Off U.S. High- you go 10 miles or 2 miles. The chance to get —Sadie’s Driver way 2 east of Skykomish, you should put one out away from pavement and people will be as hike high on your list: the trail to Tonga Ridge good as any treat you could give your buddy! and Mount Sawyer—and, if you can find it, —Sadie’s Driver www.wta.org April 2008 » Washington Trails WTA at Work « Photos by Dan Nelson Top: Parka at her peak. Right: Parka as a pup. Far Right: Parka on trail in the Cascades. Even though she had joint problems most of her life, Parka was an en- thusiastic hiker. Now, she faces the end of her hiking career. An Aging Trail Dog Few things match the pleasure of walking a Before we could say, “you’re fired,” we had a mountain trail with your best friend, especially consultation with a new vet and a referral to a when that best friend is a sweet-natured, happy nationally acclaimed surgeon. That surgeon, Dr. dog like Parka. Randy Ackers of Sun Valley Animal Hospital, Since 1998, Parka has been my constant performed orthopedic surgery to remove that trail companion, joining me (and Donna) on defective cartilage in both front legs. He noted nearly every hike—except, of course, the the joints would never perform at 100 percent, days we spent in national parks, where dogs but that she should have a good, active life. Un- are banned. With Parka as my inspiration, I fortunately, nine months later, we were back in launched The Mountaineers Books’ Best Hikes Sun Valley having her rear legs treated for the with Dogs series, and she assisted with all dog equivalent of ACL tears—both tibias were the field research on our own best-selling Best misaligned with her femurs, leaving her with Hikes with Dogs: Western Washington—the stressed knees. The cure: saw off the tops of inaugural book in the national series. With that the tibias, reposition them, and bolt them back book selling well, Parka went on to work as a into place (known as tibial plateau leveling). model, selling a variety of dog products (from So, before she was two years old, Parka had shampoos to canine packs and Therma-Rest all four legs surgically repaired. Fortunately, her dog beds) in catalogues like Early Winters, L.L. modeling career was doing well, and she paid Dan A. Bean and EMS. for all that work herself! Even more importantly, Nelson For all her hard work as a trail-loving dog, the surgery was wildly successful. Within nine Dan is a WTA though, Parka’s hiking life nearly ended before months of the last surgery, Parka was power- member, the former it got started.