Monday was out first long hike of the season.
As I have said before, when hiking with your dog you have to start small and then go big. You can’t lead a sedentary life, or only walk a mile or two a week, and decide to go climb a big mountain tomorrow. Both you and your dog have to be properly conditioned for that kind of hiking.
Yesterday we hiked 7.5 miles to Annette Lake. For most small dogs, that would take a long time to work up to, if they could ever do it. Chester and Gretel have been hiking for years and I know they are capable of that distance (not much more in a day though). They completed a couple hikes last year that were this long and, in fact, steeper than the Lake Annette trail. We have been hiking for a couple of months this year to build back up to that distance.
If you are going to tackle 8 miles with your dog, this is a good first-trail to do it on. It was certainly an uphill climb but pretty moderate as Western Washington trails go. There were enough flat-ish stretches to give you a quick break. There were also plenty of places along the trail to stop and take a break.
We saw 5 groups of people at the top at least 3 of them had dogs with them.
The lake was beautiful but I was glad I remembered my bug spray this time….although the bugs didn’t listen much. I hear the lake is shallow enough that it is pleasant to swim in by the middle of summer. I didn’t see anyone fishing but we did see trout jumping and even saw a small one swimming by the log we had lunch on.
It was a great workout, a beautiful spot and I can’t wait for our next hike.
Check out Chester’s hiking style. He is always such a happy boy.
Hike Stats:
Distance: 7.5 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 1,400 feet
Highest Point: 3,600 feet
emma says
July 19, 2013 at 3:08 AMThat looks awesome and I bet a little dip in the lake would be super refreshing for the dogs!
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 11:59 AMChester doesn’t like water much. No matter because the trail was dusty and I preferred to now have little mudballs when we got back to the car 🙂 Gretel dis wade out a few inches when I was out standing on a rock.
SlimDoggy says
July 19, 2013 at 4:46 AMGreat trail & hike. Chester is an athlete – look at him go! It’s pretty cute I gotta say. He probably doesn’t like being called cute, but he is.
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 11:59 AMI’ll tell him you said strong and handsome 🙂
SlimDoggy says
July 19, 2013 at 2:30 PMOh, much better…
DogTread says
July 19, 2013 at 5:49 AMWe love reading about your adventures! The pictures are wonderful! Good for dog – good for you!
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:00 PMThanks for following our adventures. It IS hard not to get good pictures when you live in such a beautiful place 🙂
Roxy the traveling dog says
July 19, 2013 at 5:50 AMBeautiful lake! A swim would have been nice.
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:01 PMGretel waded in a little when I was out standing on a rock. It was more about being close to Mommy than playing in the water though 🙂
Coralee and Finn says
July 19, 2013 at 5:52 AMBeautiful hike! I’m always so impressed with little dogs (and their owners) who are conditioned for serious hiking!
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:02 PMWell, I am not in as good of shape as you might think. The dogs hike the trail no problem but I am behind them huffing and puffing and sweating like a pig 🙂
GizmoGeodog says
July 19, 2013 at 6:47 AMHow gorgeous was that hike?! Gizmo heard Chester jingling and woofed to say Hi! We have hiked that distance and more, but without the elevation it is a lot easier for us. I have to wonder how the climb would affect the distance we could comfortably do.
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:04 PMThat’s funny that Gizmo woofed. Yes, elevation makes all the difference. If the trail was relatively flat I am sure Chester and Gretel could hike 15 miles or more. In fact, Chester DID hike 15 miles before IN THE MOUNTAINS. That was in his younger years though.
Diane @To Dog With Love says
July 19, 2013 at 7:46 AMWow! That lake is gorgeous and it looks cool and refreshing. I love dogs on logs… great photo!
Your pals,
Diane and Rocco
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:05 PMreally, I have to put Chester and Gretel on stuff so I can get them to stand together and get them both in the same frame. Turns out it makes for good pictures too 🙂
jan says
July 19, 2013 at 10:08 AMMost of the adult Doxies I’ve seen have been chubby to obese. How great that you get your little guys out to exercise their little legs. They look so healthy and happy.
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:08 PMMe too Jan. I organize a Dachshund club with almost 300 doggie parent members. We live in Seattle which is a very dog-centric and active City but still at least 1.3 of them are overweight. It makes me sad to see photos of pudgie Doxies in the media and on the internet. Chester and Gretel are VERY healthy and happy 🙂
Bethany says
July 19, 2013 at 10:29 AMGreat hike you guys! I love how hiking doxies bounce around like bunnies.
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 12:09 PMChester is VERY bouncy! Gretel, not so much. She doesn’t have very good confirmation so her “style” is more of a sway or waddle…..which is cute in itself 🙂
Jules says
July 19, 2013 at 1:14 PMWow. you guys are all awesome! I don’t think my Smoosh would last 8 miles, unfortunately. I bet he could do a couple miles, though! These photos are gorgeous. 🙂
Jules of Canines & Couture
http://www.caninesandcouture.com
Jessica Rhae says
July 19, 2013 at 4:13 PMI am told that dogs with short noses don’t do so good hiking. I think I was told once that short, small dogs don’t do so well either 🙂
Susan says
July 19, 2013 at 4:29 PMWow sounds and looks fabulous. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend from Talent Hounds.
KB says
July 20, 2013 at 5:29 AMIsn’t it cool how many hikers have dogs with them? I’m so impressed with the athleticism of your little dogs!
Jessica Rhae says
July 20, 2013 at 12:42 PMSeattle is a very dog-centric City so we can see 25 or 30 dogs on a popular 4 or 5 mile hike. Dachshund sure are known for their drive 🙂
Jan K says
July 20, 2013 at 12:21 PMWhat a beautiful place! It really makes me miss hiking. We used to hike a lot, but haven’t for years now. I’d really like to get back into it, but we’d have to work up to it for sure. 7.5 miles sounds like a long hike to me, I don’t remember doing too many that were that long. Goodness, Chester really trucks right along! He looks like he is having so much fun.
Jessica Rhae says
July 20, 2013 at 12:44 PMHiking is something I have always been able to stick with over the years. I do know what it’s like to really be into something and then have a hard time getting back into it after a long break. I am giving away some stuff that I take hiking with us on the blog today. Check it out
Jan K says
July 20, 2013 at 1:02 PMThanks for letting me know that, Jessica! I had actually seen the giveaway on Facebook and meant to come back to it, but I had forgotten. What a great giveaway too!
Kimberly, The Fur Mom says
July 20, 2013 at 8:09 PMI downloaded Best Hikes with Dogs Western Washington, 2nd Edition to my Kindle and will be going through it. Thanks for letting me know this existed. I had no idea it was updated so often. Cool!
Beth says
July 21, 2013 at 6:34 PMWhat a fun hike! Beautiful scenery and cute pups! I like hikes where there are places to “pull over” and rest and enjoy the scenery. Thanks for sharing!
Kristen says
July 22, 2013 at 5:25 PMBeautiful pics. And…I think I might have to marry Chester!
Novroz says
July 23, 2013 at 4:01 AMWow!! Look at the view!! Very stunning. You two are lucky dogs, not many dogs (and human) can see such beauty.
Jessica Rhae says
July 23, 2013 at 7:36 AMThe more we share our pictures and stories the luckier I feel. I have always known we live in a very beautiful place but kind of took it for granted because I grew up here. After hearing what it is like where some other people live, I feel very lucky for the mild weather and amazing mountains.
Jane & Parker says
July 23, 2013 at 4:49 AMI’m so impressed that their little legs can do all that hiking. That’s awesome! You hike in the most beautiful places! 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
July 23, 2013 at 7:33 AMYou should see there little legs go, go, go. Chester just kind of trucks along with us but Gretel is always raring to go. I think if I could let her off the leash she would make it to the top (if she actually stayed on the trail. Ha, ha) in half the time 🙂
Jackie Bouchard says
July 24, 2013 at 7:45 PMOh, that looks lovely! Rita loves to take a dig when we go hiking. She gets overheated if we go on hikes in the summer where there’s no water.