[pct-l] Passing Crater Lake with a Dog
Edward Anderson
mendoridered at yahoo.com
Sat Oct 30 13:11:51 CDT 2010
Hello Mariann,
During my 2008 PCT ride (by horse) I passed through the Oregon Sections that you
are probably considering. Keep in mind that dogs are not allowed on certain
Sections of the PCT. They are, I think, allowed on the Crater Lake N.P. part of
Section C. I rode the original PCT route (not the rim route) through the park
and saw three hikers with dogs. One lady, who had a British accent, was from
Zimbabwe. She had a wonderful Corgi dog. He was on a leash and was exceptionally
well behaved. I saw her on three occasions. The last time when we both camped
at Red Cone Spring. I don't know how much of the PCT she was doing. When I got
to Highway 138 to pick up my food cache I met her husband who was about to hike
south to meet her. He had asked me if I had seen a lady with a dog.
As far as taking the PCT Rim route above C. Lake, you won't be allowed to take a
dog. I returned this year with my wife and dog and we drove all around the
lake. We saw that the trails were well posted - no dogs - not even dogs on a
leash allowed. We had to leave our dog in the camper and park in the shade
- and take our hikes to the many view points without him.
We have both backpacked and horsepacked with dogs along. Some dogs have a hard
time if it is a warm day. Unlike humans and horses, they can't cool themselves
by sweating. Smaller, lighter, dogs do better than heavier dogs. They also have
a hard time on rougher surfaces if they are heavier. Their feet just won't stand
up. Of course if you take your time and don't try for too many miles per day
they do better. Bring along boots for them. Also try to toughen your dogs feet
prior to your hike. Talk to your vet on that one. I recall that we used Badadine
mixed with something else that our vet had recommended.
From my memory, I think (assuming that it is legal and that you take your time),
that the surfaces and gradients of sections B,C, and D would be OK to take a
dog. I resupplied food for myself and my horse (by driving my rig ahead caching
at Highways 99, 140, 138 and 58.) The only lava that I remember was along the
east slope of Brown Mountain (Section B), and a good surface had been laid over
the trail there. Section E, as you approach McKenzie Pass would be impossible
with any dog. The miles of lava is often razor sharp. Don't try it with a dog!
As for seeing Crater Lake, you can hike up the Lightning Springs trail from the
original PCT to the rim. I rode up that one. There is a scenic viewpoint there
with a good view of Wizard Island. There is also a good campsite at Lightning
Spring about a mile below the Rim.
Have a good hike,
MendoRider
________________________________
From: Mariann <mendenhall_mini_farm at yahoo.com>
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Fri, October 29, 2010 3:17:49 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Passing Crater Lake with a Dog
Hi All,
I am trying to plan a section hike for next summer on the PCT in OR. I am
planning to go about 200 miles and will have my dog with me. Is it possible to
get a dog through Crater Lake National Park? It seems I'd be stuck with walking
the road through the park, does the road have any sort of a decent shoulder?
Has anyone else ever hiked OR PCT with a dog and how did you get past Crater
Lake?
Any advice about getting through the park would be wonderful. :)
Thanks,
Mariann
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