AT with dogs - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

I am ISO advise for hiking the AT with a dog. What are the pros/cons, where are dogs not allowed, where do you put them in those areas? What about hiking with two dogs (two hikers, two dogs)?
thanks!

Winnie

#2

You can’t bring your dog into the Smokies. I know that for sure. I also believe you can’t have one in Baxter State Park in Maine. If you get Wingfoots book, it talks a lot about kenals and other dog friendly places.

I hope that helps somewhat.

Lil Rebel

#3

Dogs on the trail is a contrivercial topic.

First, no dogs in Smokies, and Baxter State Park. There is are kennels that board and shuttle dogs for hikers.

Frankly, everyone brings along a luxury item or two. So, I consider dogs as such. But, that being said, not too many dogs make it all the way to Maine.

Finally, thru-hiking can be very tough on a dog. So, when you bring along a dog, you in effect no longer hike your own hike, you hike the dog’s hike.

Peaks

#4

Although I have no personal experience hiking long distance with dogs, I found these two views interesting:

http://www.oc.edu/staff/phil.heffington/dogs.htm
http://www.backcountry.net/arch/at/9510/msg00075.html

keasley

#5

I’m fairly neutral on the topic, I think, but you’ll find lots of folks on the trail who aren’t. Many people really resent dogs on the trail. Reasons cited are: getting growled at, bitten (no, your dog won’t bite but other folks don’t know that) wet dogs in the shelters, dogs eating other hiker’s food, dogs jumping in the only available water source, killing small animals, etc.

On the other hand, many folks find meeting dogs one of the highlights of their day.
My advice would be: if in doubt, leave the dogs home.

Colter

#6

We had a good dog/bad dog incident at Roaring Fork Shelter in ’01. After crossing Max Patch in the max fog and horizontal sleet, also finding The General sleeping in a puddle, we pulled up at 6pm in the dark and found the shelter with four hikers and two dogs. One hiker who talked a lot and quoted Tolkien poems would soon to know to use as Strider who finished with us. The two with the dogs had a tent hogging half the right hand floor with their wet mutts that barked at us. The owner yelled for them to sheeyut the fark up and yanked the black lab back over to them. The poor dog had its tail between its legs. Well, after we hit the sack the black lab crawled over and lay down next to me and put his/her muzzle on my hip and looked at us very sad like. Then it got up and WEDGED itself between us and pushed us apart. Nice doggy. It obviously knew we were dog people and was fearful of its owners who were busy doing some awful thing in their tent next to us. I can’t remember but I think it got up a few hours later and went somewhere else. It was funny, to a point.
This was also the area where the fella that thru hiked blind had his Shepard run off for a day and leave him to his own space for a long while before another hiker came along. The dog returned later very embarrassed.

Bushwhack

#7

My controversal issue with the Smokies and dogs is, they will let horses walk in the park, but not dogs? What is up with that. I know a ranger’s argument is that a dog is provocative to animals, but a horse does much more danger and harm to the trails and enviroment. First, a horse is foreign to the natural enviroment in the Smokies area, therefore could lead to a provocative situation. Second, look at the trail between Mollies Ridge Shelter and Derricks Knob Shelter. My lord is the trail aweful rutted. And what harm does a dog do to the trail?

So my main point in this situation is that if dogs aren’t allowed on the trail in the Smokies, than neither should horses.

Sorry for the $.02 worth, but I have been holding this issue in for a while. :slight_smile:

Lil Rebel

#8

“And what harm does a dog do to the trail?” Wizzed in the spring at Ice Water Springs…I like lemonade, but. Don’t hold it, you’ll get cramps.

Bushwhack

#9

I was just looking at the ATC website and found a lot of good info about dogs.

Here is the site:
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hike/hike_info/dogs.html#sub1

It lists restricted areas and areas where leashes are required.

Lil Rebel

#10

I found a dog on the trail outside of Erwin. Luckily the owner was able to track me down n town. Another hiker met the owner on the trail while he was looking for the dog and told him I was at the Holiday Inn. Im basically against dogs on any trail(sorry bookworm and seven). I cant imagine what a 2000 mile hike could be like on a dog thats been domesticated for years. If you love ur dog Leave it with someone you trust, If yuo cant hike without it, maybe you souldnt.

Chef

#11

I heard from a ranger that dogs are carriers of many diseases that can infect bears. Due to the great population of black bears in the smokeys, the forces that be have decided that the bears are more important than people bringing their dogs with. I guess horses do not pose the same threat.

To stick with the original string. I agree that it is bad owners that give their dogs a bad name. I saw too many bad dog owners on the trail. They certainly outnumbered the good owners. None of the thru-hikers I knew made it all the way with their dogs. The good owners I knew had more problems with the dogs physical ailments than their own. All that negative being said - there are a few dogs out there that were a blast to have around. Bring your dog if you want but remember that it is tough to find places to stay in town and you will constantly be torn away from your friends due to your dog. You will likely have to get off the trail a few times because of your dog. Your dog almost certainly will not make it all the way so have a dog-sitter lined up if you intend to finish the trail without the dog. And please- if you bring your dog remember that a dog will follow its master even if it is in pain - look for signs so your dog doesn’t suffer for you.

Presto

#12

My daughter and son-in-law started from Springer with their Rottweiler last year and he slowed them down considerably. He growled at hikers they passed, got frightened of the noises in the night, and they found that the other hikers were steering clear of them so there was little socialization with the hiking community which is a big part of the trail experience. Fortunately we were down there with our trailer, following them north and meeting them at road crossings so at Unicoi Gap we took the dog home with us for the duration of their hike. He might have been able to do it, but it wouldn’t have been the hike they planned and dreamed about.

Scamp

#13

When we went through Maine in '01 we passed two sobos with a black toy poodle. They took their time and the dog loved it, never barked anything other than a stick in the water and last I heard they made it. A one pounder I think. Smaller dogs seemed to do better being lower impact on themselves. I’m still all for a cat.

Bushwhack

#14

It depends on the breed of your dog. Dogs are in general pack animals, but that is your pack. Most dogs were not bred to hike the AT. They need much more sleep than humans and I would talk to my vet. before ever attempting a feat. Your food would also be an issue since you need to pack your pack sometimes for a week or more. That extra weight could be a problem unless your dog has a pack himself. But again it depends on the hips and general health of the dog and most important, temperament in all kinds of situations. Including storms and rain etc. Good luck…We love our animals, but not everyone loves them as much as we do ourselves.

PamParis

#15

I have been bitten twice. I refuse to let it happen again. When I see a dog I take a defensive position. The dog comes within range I push it away with my stick, without hurting it. If it continues and the owner does nothing, I have had to use harsher measures. I am not the only one using this procedure. I like dogs, I’m just tired of hearing “Oh, my god, he’s never bitten anyone before”. If you like terrorizing random strangers bring your by all means bring your dog.

Blue Jay

#16

Or “your poles are frighten it!”, yeah, that’s the snapping and growling and biting. Heard that one. Ever heard of a leash.

Bushwhack