Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Hiking Trails: Hiking requires planning and preparation. Therefore, you need to be physically fit while also having good gear and company to help you navigate hiking trails effectively.

Moreover, it is always beneficial to know all details regarding your local hiking trails and their rules and regulations. This is especially true if you plan on taking your dog for a hike.

It is a fun experience where you and your dog can bond together and make memories while reveling in the beauty of trail views. Not only this, but dogs often make the best companions when it comes to conquering a challenging hiking trail.

But if you’re new to hiking, then you may not have enough information about hiking trails. So if you’re still deciding where to hike, here are some of the best hiking trails in America.

1. Royal Arch Trail

Located near Boulder, Colorado, Royal Arch Trail is 3.1 miles long and has an elevation of 1394 meters. The trail is lined with greenery and exotic flowers that make it a must-visit for specialist hikers. Not only this, it is considered a difficult trail to summit due to its uneven routes and rocky formations. However, it allows dogs and so you can plan for a fun adventure by researching more about it.

2. Mailbox Peak Trail Loop

If you’re in Washington and looking for an exciting trail in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resources Conservation Area, Mailbox Peak Trail Loop is a good choice. It is 8.5 miles long and has a rugged topography that goes as high as 3884 inches. It is considered a challenging trail because of the rocks. Moreover, it can get cold and slippery due to snow. However, the views from the top of the peak are breathtaking. So, what is stopping you from packing your gear and hiking with your dog on this trail?

3. Mount Olympus Trail

Considered as one of Utah’s most difficult hiking trails, Mount Olympus Trail is near Midvale. It is a steep incline that is 6.5 miles long and 4143 inches high. However, it is a fun trail because of its views when you make it to the top. The hiking trail also has a river which makes it a beautiful hike for you and your dog. However, experts recommend taking a hiking stick with you as the trail may have patches of loose gravel and rocks.

4. Stevens Trail

Stevens Trail is located in Colfax, California. It is available for hiking all year around. What makes it different from some of the trails on this list is that it has a waterfall as a water source. The trail stretches for 7.7 miles long and has an incline of 1584 inches. It offers scenic views, especially at the top of the trail. It is generally considered a dog-friendly trail; however, you should avoid hiking here in the summer as there is little shade. Due to this, your dog may be uncomfortable as the trail floor may get too hot to touch.

5. Mount Lafayette and Franconia Ridge Trail Loop

This hiking trail is near Franconia in New Hampshire inside White Mountain National Forest. The trail is 8 miles and has an elevation of 3759 meters. For this reason, it is considered a difficult trail and is recommended only for experienced hikers. However, it is dog-friendly, and so your furry friend can accompany you on this hiking trail. But it offers beautiful views, unique flora and fauna, along with a waterfall.

6. Mount Tammany: Red Dot and Blue Dot Loop Trail

Located in New Jersey, Mount Tammany is a hiking trail that is considered moderate due to its 3.5-mile-long stretch and 1240 meters elevation gain. Therefore, it is a popular hiking trail for leashed dogs. It offers stunning views and has a river that runs around the mountain. However, it is known to have some steep curves and rocky boulders, but nothing dangerous unless you’re in bad physical shape.

These were just some of the hiking trails across the United States that are dog-friendly. However, before hiking with dogs, you should ensure your pet is in good physical health and has no injuries that might hinder your trail. Ideally, you should train your pet by taking it out for runs, especially on slightly higher inclines so that it may build stamina. Moreover, make sure you have made the pre-hike visit to the vet and have had your pet’s vaccinations in order.

Essentially, you should research how to prepare your dog before taking it on a hike, as it may require some planning. However, once you are there, you should ensure your pet is not harming the trail in any way. The following section lists some ways you can do so.
Be Careful on a Hiking Trail!

It is no wonder that all these hiking trails are fun and adventurous, especially if you have your furry friend by your side. But because these trails are beautiful and home to plant and animal life, it is your duty to take care of them. The best way to ensure this by practicing the Leave No Trace principle. This principle states the only thing you should leave behind on a hiking trail is your footprint or pawprint. Anything you take inside should come back with you, whether your gear, your dog’s backpack, or even its poo. Here are some simple ways you can minimize damage to hiking trails:

• Train your dog to obey commands
• Don’t litter
• Be careful of water resources
• Take your pre-cooked meal
• Use a plastic bag to pick up the dog’s poo
• Be careful of plants and animals

The Bottom Line

These are just some of the hiking trails that have been popular for the reasons above. However, before taking on a challenging hiking trail, it is good to try out smaller and less intimidating ones. Moreover, make sure you know trail rules, especially if they allow dogs or not. And lastly, don’t forget to take care of these hiking trails! They are precious for the environment and are home to rich biodiversity.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.