Trail Etiquette For You and Your Dog
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I’ve had the pleasure of hiking and backpacking with Australian Shepherds in Colorado’s wilderness areas for almost 30 years. During that time, my dogs and I have encountered moose, deer, elk, porcupine, pica, bobcat, coyote and a host of other critters. While those encounters have been interesting, it is by far more challenging to share the woods with Homo sapiens, a curious and unpredictable species.
The U.S. Forest Service considers the public lands they manage to be “Lands of Many Uses.” That is especially true in the area of recreation. On any given summer weekend, hikers and their dogs may encounter a pack of mountain bikers careening down steep switchbacks and around blind corners. Equestrians plod along trails with steep drop-offs on either side, their mounts often ready to bolt or jump at unexpected noises or sudden appearances by our canine pals. Trail runners are “in the zone” and often don’t realize someone is sharing their route.
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