[pct-l] Passing Crater Lake with a Dog

[Mariann]

Hi MendoRider and Everyone who has been so helpful :)

Thanks so much for the info!  It is kinda sounding like I could get away with 
taking the lower trail, but it isn't actually legal.  I'm unsure exactly what I 
am going to do. :)  Right now I am leaning toward hiking sections F & G, 
instead, and saving B, C & D for another year.  


As far as my dog, she is a young bluetick coonhound, the racey style with long 
legs and light weight.  I run her 3 to 5 days a week right now from 3 to 10 
miles a run, but before I hit the trail next summer I will up those milages and 
start her training with her pack.  I have leather booties for her that she will 
wear if needed.  I'm only planning to be on the trail for 2 weeks, but at some 
point before my hike I will take a week and do a lot of back to back high milage 
days to make sure her (and my) endurance with our packs on is where I want it to 
be.  I don't anticipate any problems for her, but if she doesn't handle the 
trail well I won't hesitate to cut my hike short.  


I have actually taken a dog through section E before, but I was very, very 
careful to keep her feet covered with leather booties and check them 
frequently.  She came through fine, although she was a bit tired she didn't get 
any cuts and showed no excessive wear on her pads.  She did lose a leather 
bootie at one point, but I'd brought 4 extras so that wasn't a problem.  She was 
a short legged, heavy black labrador, so I ended up carrying her pack by the 
last day as she was seeming a little trail weary.  I'm excited to hike with a 
long legged, light dog!  


Thanks again for all the advice and Happy Trails!!

Mariann




________________________________
From: Edward Anderson <mendoridered at yahoo.com>
To: Mariann <mendenhall_mini_farm at yahoo.com>
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Sent: Sat, October 30, 2010 11:11:51 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Passing Crater Lake with a Dog


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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