Dogs in the High Peaks - Great Range, etc...

[Earth Man]

Anyone have experience hiking the 46ers with their dog?

I started climbing the Adirondack High Peaks a couple of years ago with my 60 pound dog who is a strong hiker. (She's climbed all the New England Hundred Highest with the exception of the six peaks in Baxter State Park. She has made it up trails that I probably should not have done with her such as King Ravine in the Presidentials.) We'll be in the Adirondacks again mid-September. I'm trying to learn which peaks or trails are too difficult for dogs.

For instance, what about the Great Range which has some ladder sections? Are they wooden steps, iron rungs? Can they be bypassed by a dog? How about the steep west side of the west peak of Gothics? Or Mt. Colden trail from Lake Colden, which has a ladder section? Or the ladder section of trail 121 (Mt. Marcy and Mt. Colden via Calamity Brook trail) at the intersection of 69 (Lake Colden Northwest Shore trail)?

I'm familiar with the leash law and am aware of the restrictions at Ausable Mountain Reserve. It's the difficulty of terrain specific to a dog that I'm wondering about. Any information could help me a lot in planning hikes/backpacks this month and in coming years. Thanks!

[oldsmores]

...For instance, what about the Great Range which has some ladder sections? Are they wooden steps, iron rungs? Can they be bypassed by a dog? How about the steep west side of the west peak of Gothics? ...

My old lab (since deceased) made it up the cable side of Gothics without much trouble. I did have to give him some help down one of the ladders on the east side of Armstrong (I think, it might have been Gothics).
I never tried to take him up Basin, but would imagine that the west side would be tough for a dog.
It should also be noted that the bare rock ledges in the Adirondacks are tough on a dogs pads - though it sounds like your dog's probably pretty tough! Enjoy.

[Kevin]

Welcome to the forum.

Although there have been none recently, in previous years we've had several discussions on the subject. Typically people ask for this information regarding specific mountains based on the size, age, and abilities of their pooch.

I've done a lot of hiking in the high peaks with a standard poodle, roughly the weight of your dog. He's only had difficulties a few times. One of them was the ladder section on Armstrong between Armstrong and Upper Wolfjaw. There is a way to follow the bare rock on top of that section to go "around" the ladder.

But there's other sections like this one that we have avoided bringing the poodle. We either leave him home or climb the mountain from a different direction. I wouldn't bring a dog up the scenic trail on Sawteeth, for example. There's also some steep rock and ladders on Basin between Basin and Haystack. The steep cable section on Gothics and the ladders heading up Ore bed Brook were less a problem for the dog than it was for the people . General rule of thumb has been "if there's a steep rock wall with a ladder, the dog will likely not be able to climb or descend it".

Dogs are pretty amazing hiking companions. Stuff I struggle to go up or go around the dog runs right up, looks back with a big smile saying "what's taking you so long?!" Usually the same smile that says "My favorite!"

Obviously you can't always keep your dog leashed on the steep sections (although I've seen well trained dogs climbing on a longer leash before). It's very rare to see this, and usually people have their dogs within voice range when on the steeper sections.

There's some new rangers in the high peaks and we heard some silly stuff come out of this one ranger's mouth: "Maybe you shouldn't hike with your dog here if you can't keep him leashed." The whole time he lectured us the poodle was staying calmly right next to their owner. So moral of the story - do what you feel is right. You know whether your dog lunges or wanders too far away, and take appropriate steps to ensure it doesn't happen. Like the use of bear cannisters, leashes are a requirement not because of a dog problem, but because of a people/owner problem. Unlike the bear cannister regulations there's more control by the hiker to eliminate the need for a leash if they have spent the time to train/discipline their pet. The exception are huskies, while awesome climbers they like to take off for a week to hunt. That won't work in the high peaks.

[Fitz]

I carried my 60lb Golden Retriever up the ladder on Armstrong, under one arm (not recommended). It was a sight to behold. My kid was too freaked out watching to take a photo.

I have not taken Abby up many of the "trailess" 46. Since I come up from Cincinnati, many of those were climbed on multi day backpacks, which can be difficult with dogs. Didn't want to force my hiking buddies to have to deal with it. When I'm by myself or dayhiking, I take her.

I do have a doggy pack for her to wear over her back, to carry her own stuff. I found that she didn't hike well with it, sometimes having to struggle through tight places when the pack hung up on a rock or tree. I retired the doggy pack after a few tries.

I second the tough on pads issue. South side of Marcy is especially rough. I bought some booties that seemed to help, but they're hard to keep on. The terrain is rough anywhere in the Daks, and its as strenuous for the dogs as it is for us. BTW, Bag Balm is a great remedy if they do tear up their pads.

The dogs seem to find the easier routes up, but then they're off leash. I've had Rangers admonish me about the leash law, but not fine me (yet). They may be selective - my dog is very well behaved. I've seen others that were completely out of control. In "populated" areas (where I think more likely to encounter enforcement issues or lots of people) I do keep her on leash. I use a 16' retractable leash and clip the handle through my hip belt, which leaves my hands free, yet allows a certain amount of freedom to the dog. Note that this lease exceeds the 8' regulated leash, but again, I have not had any Rangers take issue with this arrangement.

I keep her on a short leash on top of fragile peaks like Algonquin or Marcy. I think they would certainly take issue with that. Plus they can do a lot of damage in their wanderings.

You can tell she loves to hike and be up high. Great times!

[Robony]

Lots of good dog hiking discussion http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forum...5&page=1&pp=15

[DLHiker]

I used to love hiking with my Golden in the Peaks, but I stopped after the leash law went into effect. There is just no way I could hike with him on a leash.

We never did anything too steep in terms of ladders. I recall Marshall, Allen, Tabletop, Phelps, and a few others. In the steepest sections, he always found his own way up.

Biggest problem--travelling in the car back Albany with a wet, smelly Golden Retriever.

[BrawnyMan]

I recently descended the steep side of Colden to Lake Colden. My 60 lb. boxer was waiting on us 99% of the time. However, an 8-10 ft' ladder or two along the trail are not possible for my dog. I think the best plan is to have two people to pass the dog down. see photo. My dog can leap down 5 or 6 feet, but more than that is probably not safe to long term joint health for any dog?

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/andrewhunsberger/detail?.dir=ba33re2&.dnm=9e4ere2.jpg&.src=ph

Does anyone have a better approach for these types of ladder obstacles? There are certainly many ladders that can be bypassed by dogs, but there are some that are unavoidable. Note: I think the harness works well as a handle in emergency.

[Fitz]

Nice shots - especially the one of Marcy Dam. Yeah, the dog is always waiting and looking like -"jeez, you guys are so slow!"

My dog tries to fight me when I carry her up a ladder (or down). The 20' armstrong ladder in particular was a bit hairy at the top when she tried to push off. thats the only one I've had any real trouble on though. Through Avalanche lake I think I had to give a little boost a couple of times but no real problems. We went up Colden from Lake Colden several years ago. I don't recall any issue - I think she found her own route up with maybe a boost here or there. Definitely better when you have 2 people above and below. Also think its easier to carry a dog up a ladder, rather than down.

That harness does look like a good idea, my daughter always complains I'm choking Abby when I pull her up by the collar.

[BrawnyMan]

For obedience, a collar is probably better than a harness. Your dog should not be pulling you anyway. However for safety in the mountains I would always suggest a harness. If you leash your dog, as you should, particularly in treacherous spots, the collar might not be the best device to save your dog's life. I know canine anatomy is different than ours, however I wouldn't want to test a dog's neck on a 10-20 ft. drop. A human could not survive that for sure. Or possibly the collar would just come right off. Either way, I didn't feel that leashing with the collar in the hight peaks was helping my dog's chances anyway you cut it, so like I said, consider the harness. And while you're at it, strap a few pockets on there and have the mutt carry their own grub.

[Fitz]

My pup is getting old (11) and this last season's mountains may be the last she'll be able to climb. Her hips are getting real bad.

I generally leave her off the leash except in high traffic areas and above timberline. Its just too hard (and dangerous in som spots) to try to hike on a leash. So far no issues from rangers. She is very well behaved, so that seems to be taken into account.

The pulling away (actually pushing away) was not a disobediant thing, it was a 70 lb dog freaking out after climbing to the top of a 25' + vertical ladder, under my arm, and not knowing what to do thing. Pretty crazy! I'm probably squeezing the crap out of her to keep a hold of her! Your two person method probably works better, along with the harness. I'm often hiking alone with Abby, (or with my kids who are too small to really help with a dog this big) so we have to do it on our own.

As far as leashes go (when I use it), I find a retractable leash with my hipbelt run through the handle works pretty well. Allows you to keep your hands and arms free and if they tug a little it doesn't throw you off balance as much.

PS. I realize previous post said 60lbs, but I just took her to the vet and she weighed 72lbs, and the vet commented that she hadnt gained but 2 lbs in the last 6 years.