Hi all,
I’ve heard that dogs on the Long Trail are permitted, but I’m curious if anyone has thru-hiked the whole trail with a dog. I’m concerned about some of the more technical sections, like those requiring ladders. Any advice would be appreciated…
thanks,
KK
Keith K.
Hey Keith, we thru hiked in 02 with our dog, lulu. She is the best !..
We hiked the month of oct which was good for her cuz it was cool ( cold ? ) The ladders scared her to death ! We had to coax her over then pick her up. It was alittle dangerous. I hated seeing her scared. Other then that not much fazed her. She got us a few good rides too…:))… I have very definite opinions about dogs on long hikes … but, this one she did well. She was the leader whether she knew it or not. We stopped when she had enough…
sarah dooley
My dog Winter hikes with me. She did the Long Trail in “99”. She did the AT in “00”. We are preparing to hike the PCT now. Winter makes it all look easy. She’s an intelligent white German Shepard that tolerates my singing on the trail. She climbs ladders unassisted. She came down Dragon Tooth Mountain unassisted with her pack on. She actually shows other dogs how to go through or over cow styles. While she is a well trained trail dog she also has the mental and physical ability to deal with the more difficult places. I have seen many dogs that should never have been brought out on a trail however due to temperament, physical abilities and the dogs desire to be there. It’s a dog by dog decision though.
superman
I hike with my Aussie, Zelda, and she loves it! We’re doing the Long Trail this July, and I’m a little concerned about the heat so I planned a pretty light itinerary (being a student, my summer’s unconstrained). I was concerned about the ladders but this dog gets herself into places I’m afraid to go…
She has a Mountainsmith dogpack II, with a convienient handle on the back. If she does get into trouble I can lift her out. I also plan on carrying a strong rope and the person in front will hold it before she goes up. This way the pack acts like a harness and I don’t have a heart attack…
I have met with a lot of resistance when I mention her, but she is well trained and will be kept on a leash. So this is all my wishfull thoughts. Let me know if anyone has advice or anything.
lyra
Ok, so I just posted my previous message like, two minutes ago, but I realized I have a question. While doing a throughhike, does anyone have suggestions about resupply with a dog? We’ll mail her food, but I’m having trouble imagining that anyone would give us a ride into town (or that we could take a bus). Help! I’m afraid I’ll have to carry a month’s worth of food! :rolleyes
Lyra
Once again - contact the GMC and get the 2 guide books. How you get on and off the trail could be issues for public transportation with a dog, but once on the trail the only real hitch needed, as I remember, is into Manchester. All the other PO’s are walkable - if neccessary (Killington, Jonesville and Johnson). At Clarenden there was an outfitter about a mile down the road who held hiker boxes ( I don’t know if he’s still in business - the guide books will tell you). There was also a small food store right there. When I hike the trail again I would definitely hike with my dog.
ps : don’t count on shelter space - be prepared to tent
pps : be prepared to hike your dogs hike.
Tenter
We have both guide books, and they give some info about stops, it’s just the transport that we need to figure out. We are carrying a tent and Zelda even has her own sleeping mat for the vestebule. (Cascade Designs makes a canine z-rest thats nice and light). Also, the Inn at the Long Trail has “dog rooms” at a rate of about $50 a night, so halfway down the trail you and the pup get a nice break. 
Lyra
Lyra, “I hike with my Aussie, Zelda”?? what kind of dog is it? a blue heeler? i’m intrigued now
-Stu, just another mad aussie in london
Stu
She is an Australian Shepherd, and I’m addicted to the breed! Once you have one (if you can keep up with them) you will always want them around. She is the perfect blend of hiking partner/frisbe catcher/tent pillow (my own mut!) Anyway, she’s a lot of fun on and off the trail.
Lyra
ive never heard of one… i googled it. apparently its not an aussie breed at all heh. ohwell… i was hoping it was an australian cattle dog.
it woulda been a riot to run into a bluey or a red heeler on trail!!
got a photo of your dog geared up for/on the trail with pack on??
(if you have, my email is stuball@mega-tokyo.com)
Stu
Just took Daly dog on a successful 130 mile stretch from Canada to Lincoln Gap. We had to help him around some of the ladders, even the aluminum one in Ladder Ravine was quite doable for him as a go around on the ledgy cliff. I carried his fleece bed, which proved way more useful than a Z-Rest would have. He knew where his bed was (not my or someone else’s bag) and would curl up on it, it was warm and soft for him and absorbed water, as we were wet a good bit of time. No one objected to his being in the shelters but I made sure he was out of the cooking way and mostly on his bed next to me. After two days he was too tired in the evenings to do much but sleep. But I did have and set up my tent if the shelter looked to have more than 4 people in it and it was decent weather. I leashed him across the high alpine areas, which is kind of a pain for me hiking with poles and such, but it’s the rule. I sent all his food in maildrops and we had absolutely no trouble hitching with him, he helped in fact. We hitched in and out of Johnson, Bristol and then out from Lincoln Gap back north. He even got to ride in a BMW SUV with leather seats!! He proved a great trail companion and very capable.
Bluebearee