Gretel proved she is one tough adventure doggie this weekend.
After the Couch to Peak™ series coordinated through the The Adventureweiner Club of Seattle™ ended I scheduled an advanced hike with the group. I clearly stated that is was a toughie. I chose the Mount Si trail (not the Little SiTrail we have hiked before). It’s the quintessential hike of the Seattle area and is one of the most popular but I have never hiked it.
People preparing to climb Mt. Rainier use this trail for a training hike – usually hiking it several weekends in a row, hiking it with a weighted backpack or running up it. The trail is 4 miles up, up, up from essentially sea level to a 4,200 ft summit. At the top you have to scramble up the “trail” through a rocky section that has makeshift stairs in it. I had heard views from the top included Seattle, Bellevue, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Adams and a large portion of the Cascade Range in general.
Only four of the most hardened adventurers of the group and their super Adventureweiners were brave enough to sign up for this hike. The party included myself, new Adventureweiner members Anne and Sunny her long haired piebald weiner dog (whom we had met while hiking Rattlesnake Ledge the week before), Deb and Sienna (Gretel’s BFF) and Will and his brindle Marshall. Note: Will and Marshall have come on EVERY hike with us since the club started…including the rain-soaked slog up Rattlesnake Ledge where we ended up looking like drowned rats.
Summer is finally here in Seattle as we have had almost a week of temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s so we started out on the trail early aiming to get to the top before the hottest part of the day. We started the hike at 930 in the morning. We hiked up the trail at a steady pace and taking minimal breaks. I think we got to the top in about 3 ½ hours.
We were tired and hot when we got to the last rocky section at the top but we had to press on to get to the actual viewpoint. Gretel led the way up the last rocky scramble. Neither Chester nor Gretel balked at the challenge and picked their way up the rocks like it was no big deal. They were sure ready for lots of treats and water when we got to the top though. There wasn’t much shade to be had but they flopped down in it wherever they could find it.
The whole hike took us about 6 hours. On the way up I could feel the strain on my calves and marching back down the steep trail took a tool on my quads. I think we all were ready for it to be done when it was over. The doggies (Marshall and Sienna were carpooling with us) went right to sleep when we put them in the car. The adults all screamed for cold drinks from Starbucks so that was immediately where we went.
I spent the next two days terribly sore and walking around like a crotchety old man. The dogs spent the next two days sleeping. Other than that they seemed totally fine but I am sure if they could talk they would have been a little sore too. I was so proud of them they got extra treats and some doggie massages this weekend. It was a lot of fun and all the doggies proved they are the real deal when it comes to adventurous weiner dogs!
Amy Robinson says
Great job you guys! I’m going to make it my goal to be able to hike Mt Si by next summer. I love the one picture of Gretel with her tongue hanging out. 🙂
AdventureJess says
We would have loved to have you along but you probably would have been miserable. It was really tough. You could totally do it by next year though!
Mumsy, Chancy and Crew says
Wow! That was quite a hike. Bravo!!! Hugs and nose kisses
Kas says
Whoa, look at your guys go!! 🙂
Anna the GSD says
Wow, that’s a major hike!! I bet you and your dogs were tired (pun intended) and your weiners too!! Any photos from up top??
Anna says
GREAT JOB!! I love the pics of the pups on the rocks climbing… you must be a proud mama!!
AdventureJess says
I know! They’re great dogs for hiking. Good little babies 🙂
Carrie says
Love that first picture! And we love some rock scrambling. 🙂 Whoo, the rock scrambling looks like an awesome challenge. If we’re ever out in Seattle, we’ll have to give it a try!
lexy3587 says
bravo! love the pic of gretel eating a treat 🙂
AdventureJess says
I love that picture but is actually of their freind Marshall 🙂 I have one like that of Chester but I don’t think I have one of Gretel.
lexy3587 says
Oops… well, still an adorable picture 🙂 I saw kind of the same coat colour as Gretel and made an assumption 😛
2browndawgs says
Impressive. There is no way I would hike up that rocky part. You and your dogs are quite the adventurers!
AdventureJess says
Even I am suprised sometimes and what they will tackle withought fear or hesitation!
kirbysdawgblog says
You guys are sooo adventurous, but how is that possible being so cute and all!