impact

it was a beautiful morning. i wanted to check out scott's trail to see what was deemed dog worthy, but can't get up there til may 15 when the gate is opened, so we parked at the upper hull's lot instead. to get there from this lot would be about a 2 mile on leash hike on primarily single track trail.

we met mostly bikers, and everyone was very nice and thanked us for getting the dogs off the trail, compliments on how well behaved they were being. not one biker gave us right of way on the trail, as is the correct etiquette. no big, because i find it easier to get off & let them pass. my husband, who mountain bikes, mentioned it. i was just happy that everyone was pleasant.

this is how the parking lot looked when we came out close to noon. i don't see how there can be this much activity without impact. every single user changes something. i think that part of the reason dog owners get so upset is that we feel singled out as the source of most problems.





















my husband, the mountain bike rider, pointed out the trail braiding here clearly caused by bike. i have a hard time comprehending how my dogs running a random loop (this pic was not taken on a ridge to rivers trail, it was out on blm land off of the highway) causes more impact. it would seem to take many feet traveling the same trail to create a path. i understand there is wildlife concern, but they are not chasing, hunting or digging- they are just running.

regardless, all of us- hikers with and without dogs, people with strollers and kids who go off trail to check stuff out, people on bikes, people on horses, sheep and cattle moving through- change something. it makes more sense to me for us to work together to find the right balance.

today's pack out included 2 beer bottles, 3 beer cans (pretty old & rusty) and our poop. this trail is cleaner- except for the sheep & deer tidbits we were continually calling the dogs off of. need to get the packs on the dogs so they can help haul out trash.

one last thing- polecat trail does not allow dogs. i wonder if that is presented as an alternative to people who don't want to deal with dogs when they hike or bike? Probably lots of folks who would like to know about that option.

wake up call

chloe and tuck, sent in by renee cawley. thanks renee- hope to meet you at wednesday's meeting.

i talked with a woman yesterday who is uncomfortable that our meeting is at the foothills learning center next wednesday, discouraged by yesterday's meeting and not sure whether to trust r2r dog.

anyone who has read the posts on this blog should have a pretty good idea what we think.

i personally feel like maybe this whole thing was a needed wake up call to get dog owners organized.

the reality is that there are dog owners who do not watch their dogs, do not pick up poop, who allow their dogs to run up to people and other dogs without asking if it's ok, who let their dogs chase runners and mountain bikes and wildlife. those people are not the majority, but they are visible and they cause problems for the rest of us.

it's not our job to be the police, but i believe that we have a responsibility to work with the city to resolve the issues. i also believe that if we put forth a good faith effort it will go a long way toward preserving access.

paula, margie and i are just 3 dog owners who enjoy biking, hiking and running in the foothills with our dogs and want to be able to continue to do so with them off leash. we are going to put the best effort we can into maintaining access.