Does anyone know of any journals from either a current or past AT hiker who hiked with a dog? And input on this subject would be greatly appreciated!
Dog Walker
Hiking with a dog
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#2
I can’t point you to any specifically, but over the years I have read several journals here about hikers who went with dogs. I know they have to make arrangements to board the dog (sometimes with friends) while in Great Smokey Mountains National Park (and I think the same is true in Shenandoah N.P.). It’s certainly possible to hikd most of the trail with a dog.
Orphan
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#5
I dont think dogs are allowed in Baxter SP also.Personally I’d be crushed if I hiked the AT with a dog and couldnt finish with it
bunker hill
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#6
Walker,
Try Moon Goat (AT 2007). His journal is sporadic but he seems to have made it the whole way with Otto along.
Sidetrack
sidetrack
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#7
We are slowly section hiking the entire trail (almost 300 miles done so far this year) with our Alaskan Husky (trailname “GPS”). Our journal is at www.trailjournals.com/geigers. She needed some work to get conditioned for going on the trail (pads, muscles, etc.) and, since her initial couple of hikes, has settled in really well. I didn’t post pics of it, but her toes have actually strengthened and are now very well defined. She just completed the climb up the denuded blue mountain in northern PA and only had to be helped up the rocks twice when it was too high for her to reach. She worked her way up like a mountain goat - I was amazed. We also call her GPS because she has several times led us down the trail in the dark when our lamps were useless due to fog or running low on batteries. That’s one good nose!
As for parks, I could have sworn I just read (today) that dogs ARE allowed on the trail in SNP. But I have confirmed they are not in GSMNP. Still, we plan to take her for as much of the trail as we’re allowed to. Hope this helps.
Chris
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#8
Three places along the A.T. that dont allow dogs are Baxter state park, Great smokey mountains national park, & Bear mountain state park (there is an alternate road walk for this one). Check the A.T.C website under “hiking with dogs” for a little more info.
Traildog & Tbone
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#9
In 30 years of hiking in GSMNP I have never seen a dog (except for service/therapy dogs). Gee, while hiking to Cosby Knob last week I ran into 2 groups on the AT who were casually strolling along with their unleashed bowsers. They said they were unaware of restrictions on their dogs. One group has been hiking for 3 days. Pity the poor folks who pay $200 to have their animal shuttled around the park.
Apple
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#10
Hi Chris… I hike with my Siberian Huskies all the time and they love it. They definitley show they’re work dogs. After 10-15 mile days, they still chase each other and play when we get to our camp for the night… I have my journals posted here from 2008-2011 for the Finger Lakes Trail… Enjoy ur dogs! Best partners to hike with
Kirk
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#11
and this is not your typical A.T. story with a dog but read Bill Irwin’s “Blind Courage”. A blind man who thru-hiked the entire trail, with his German Shephard “Orient”. Together, they were the “Orient Express”. You can find it at your public library, most likely. My copy has a “paw” autograph from “Orient”. I cried when Bill made it to the top of Katahdin. It is extremely moving.
fraser fir