Hiking with Dogs
Preparing Your Dog for Hiking
Lucy and I learned on our first few hikes that there’s a big difference between what I can handle and what she can. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about how to research and prepare for hikes so that we can both have fun while we’re on the trail. These are some of our tips for training, building endurance, and making sure you’re setting your dog up for success!
Lucy's Gear List
This post is all about our favorite dog gear! In summer conditions the list is pretty short and simple. Lucy has tried lots of different gear and we’ve learned what’s the best so you don’t have to. What equipment we bring depends on the length, terrain, elevation gain, and weather conditions. We’ve got recommendations for lots of different situations and hikes!
Lucy's Winter Gear List
Wondering how Lucy stays warm even in the frigid winter conditions of New England? We’ve tried many different coats, boots, and protective equipment and we’ve finally found a system that works perfectly for Lucy and could be great for other dogs too. Every dog is different, but this gear guide is a good starting point for anyone who wants your dog to join you on your winter adventures!
Acadia Mtn: A Beautiful Little Jaunt to End Our Acadia Vacation
Acadia Mountain lies on the less visited western side of Mount Desert Island and was the perfect morning hike before hitting the road to beat the southbound traffic home. After loading up the car with all of our camping gear, we made it to the trailhead around...
Mansell Mtn: A Quiet Acadia Gem on an Overcast Day
After a stressful few months at work, Cawlin and I decided to go to Acadia National Park for a long weekend getaway with the dogs. Looking at the weather, I was a little bit disappointed seeing as it was forecasted to rain all day Saturday. Despite the less than ideal...
Mt. Cardigan: Frozen Paradise
After few months of decreased hiking due to a new job, moving into a new apartment, and Lucy having an injury, I finally got back to the Whites this past weekend for gorgeous winter hike of Mt. Cardigan. It was my first time on this little mountain, and I was...
Weir Creek: Secluded Hot Spring Paradise
Idaho is know for steaming hot springs that are found in many areas throughout the state. After our backpacking trip to Sawtooth Lake I thought that a relaxing hike to Mother Nature's hot tubs would be great to ease our muscles and see another side of the state's...
Sawtooth Lake: Serenity in the Jagged Peaks of Idaho
After backpacking in the Wind River Range last week, Lucy and I were itching to get back on the trail for another overnight trek. I recently realized that Lucy can't put in big mileage days as I had hoped especially while training for the John Muir Trail. My solution...
Cirque of the Towers: The Backpacking Trip that Reminded Me Why I Love Spending Days in the Wilderness
Lucy and I both have had many humbling yet amazing hikes, but this one really takes the cake. Wyoming’s Wind River Range is known for its granite monoliths and alpine lakes, so it was one of my most anticipated destinations on our cross-country road trip. This was...
Great Sand Dunes National Park: A Magical Desert Landscape in the Midst of the Mountains
At 4:30am I heard my alarm chime signaling it was time to get out of bed. I got up slowly and didn’t even bother to make coffee before pulling out of my campsite on a dirt road just twenty minutes from Great Sand Dunes National Park. Lucy looked at me with her...
Quandary Peak: Poor Decision Making and Emergency Preparedness at 14,000 Feet
On Monday we woke at 4:30am and started making our way to Quandary Trailhead in Breckenridge, CO. We had been in Colorado for eight days at that point, doing many shorter hikes to at elevation throughout the week to train for this day. After three days of rest and...
Mt. Rogers: Wild Ponies on Virginia’s Highest Peak
Hiking through the Grayson Highlands is a complete unique experience that is unparalleled by any other hike I have ever done in my life. “Why,” you may ask? Two words: wild ponies. Yes you read that correctly. Wild ponies roam the grounds of this hidden gem, and...
Cole Mountain: A Breathtaking Hike in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Driving down the long, unmaintained dirt road leading to Hog Camp Gap I came upon a section of “road” that was plagued with four, two foot deep trenches barring my entry. On the left hand side there was a path that looks to be designed as a bypass going around the...
Shenandoah National Park: Three Short Dog Friendly Hikes with Great Views
Although the US National Parks are not typically known for being the most dog friendly hiking destinations, Shenandoah National Park is one of the best for hitting the trails with your canine companion. Shenandoah has over five hundred miles of dog friendly trails,...
Mt. Davis: Triumph at The Top of Pennsylvania
Sitting here at the top of the highest point in Pennsylvania I feel like I’m on top of the world. It was just a short, easy walk up a rolling hill to get here. I’ve done much more difficult climbs, but this will be etched in my brain for the rest of my life. I will...
Lucy’s Gear List: Our Favorite Dog Hiking Gear for Every Hike
Both humans and dogs need equipment to make sure we're safe and prepared in the mountains. This is a list of our favorite hiking gear for dogs that we bring on every hike to make sure we're both ready to have fun on the trail. You may not need everything on this list,...
Preparing Your Pup for the Trail: Training, Endurance, and More
Endurance and training for the trails is just as important for your dog as it is for you! This post is all about how Lucy and I stay ready for hiking both physicially and from a training standpoint to make sure that we're as prepaired as possible when we hit the...
Beautiful Beginner Hikes in the White Mountains
Some of my favorite hikes in the Whites are gorgeous, short, and perfect for beginners! From Waterville Valley to Crawford Notch and everything in between, these hikes never fail to leave me feeling refreshed and grateful to be in the mountains.
Lucy’s Gear List: Winter Hiking Necessities for Dogs
Winter hiking is an a real undertaking and it requires an array of equipment that would never be necessary for three season hiking. That being said, the investment is totally worth it for the snowy summit solitude that is impossible to find in any other season. Not to...
When NOT to Bring Your Dog on a Winter Hike
Knowing when not to bring your dog is one of the most important principles when it comes to hiking with your pup. If there’s one thing you take from this post it should be this. There is a point at which you can put both you and your dog in danger by bringing them out...
A Winter Attempt at Carter Dome: Another Humbling Experience in the Whites
Compared to mountains out west and in other parts of the world, the White Mountains are small, but man they really hold their own. I’ve never hiked a New Hampshire 4,000 footer that wasn’t a challenge, and this hike was just that. The first time I did Carter Dome it...
The Kinsmans: A Beautiful Winter Outing Despite the Overcast Weather
It's been over a month since my last NH 48 outing and I've been going a bit crazy. I feel some combination of cabin fever and outright jealousy when I go more than a few weeks without hiking in my favorite mountains, especially when I see my friends up there taking...
Mt. Pierce: Another Beautiful Winter Day in the Presidentials
One thing that I’ve come to realize in the past few weeks is how different every hike in the Whites feels for me. From the weather conditions to the company I’m with, each time I summit a 4,000 footer my experiences are vastly different. I’ve now summited Mt. Pierce...
Mt. Jackson: Lucy’s First Winter 4,000 Footer and a Beautiful Start to the Season
Winter is finally here and Lucy and I are so excited for a season full of hiking and other snowy adventures! 11:19 pm Saturday, December 21st marked the start of the official winter hiking season that we’ve been itching for since last March. Winter has always been my...
When to Say When: A Chilly Hike with an Important Lesson on Mt. Waumbek
Stepping out of the car the cold air hit my face like a ton of bricks. "I'm from New Hampshire, I don't get cold," I told myself as we geared up to go. The car temperature read -1 degrees, making this Lucy's coldest hike to date.One of the most valuable and...
Mt. Kearsarge: A Snowy Day in the Forest
Last Monday was Veterans day, so Lucy and I hiked to celebrate all of our members of the military and their families. It was a cloudy day with snow in the forecast for the afternoon, but I wasn't too worried about the weather. After our great Mt. Martha hike the day...
Mt. Martha and Owl’s Head: A Little Hike Making Great Strides with Lucy
A few months ago I realized that I've been so focused on completing my New England 4,000 footers that I kind of lost sight of why I started hiking in the first place. In the past year and a half since I started hiking the Whites, more than half of my hikes have been...
Mt. Willey: A Ruthless Hike Up the Willey Range Ladders with Lucy
Although, I have ascended the Willey Range trail before I don't remember it being a thankless climb seeming to go on forever. For some reason my brain blocked out how relentlessly steep and grueling this trail is. Maybe I'm just more out of shape than I realized, but...
Black Mountain: A Hidden Gem in the Shadow of Mt. Moosilauke
With friends in NH for the weekend, I was looking for a short hike with some nice views and not too many crowds. The 52 With a View hiking list has been my go to for shorter hikes, and it definitely delivered with Black Mountain! The New England Waterfalls website has...
Mt. Willard: A Short Hike with a Sweet View
There are many hiking lists in NH some more difficult than others, but the 52 With a View list has had some of the best short hikes so far. Mt. Willard is one of the easiest 52 With a View peaks, but it boasts one of the best views I've seen so far. It's an extremely...
Mt. Garfield for Flags on the 48
Flags on the 48 is an amazing event held annually to honor all of the lives lost in the tragic events of 9/11/2001. Every year groups of hikers summit the 48 4,000 footers and raise a flag for two hours to show our support for everyone affected. This event goes on...
Saddleback and The Horn: A Short but Tricky Hike with Great Views
I’ve always said the White mountains of New Hampshire is my home. I love hiking there and the majority of the best places to hike are within an hour of my parent’s ski house, making it super convenient. Now that I’ve been working on the New England 4,000 footers list,...
North and Middle Sugarloaf Mountains: A Great Little Hike with Some Big Views!
It seems as though there's a Sugarloaf Mountain in just about every New England state. Maine has the popular Mt. Sugarloaf ski resort that I hiked back in June, but today I'm talking about the smaller mountains in New Hampshire. They're located in Twin Mountain right...
Mt. Liberty: My Little Sister’s 1st 4,000 Footer!
I've been hoping to get my younger sister, Sophie, into hiking since I started, so when she agreed to hike with me yesterday I was ecstatic. The weather was beautiful, it was a weekday, and Lucy even tagged along for her 11th 4,000 footer. It was a perfect day for a...
Mt. Moosilauke: A Gorgeous Little Weekday Hike with Big Views
Weekday hiking is truly a different experience than hiking on weekends in the Whites. I'm not often afforded this luxury with school and work getting in the way, but when I do have an opportunity to get out there during the week I jump on it. With Wednesday-Sunday off...
Pierce and Eisenhower: Celebrating Independence Day on America’s Oldest Trail
Yesterday’s hike was really special to me for a few reasons. First, I got to hike with some dear friends that I hadn’t seen in a long time. Second, it reintroduced me to the presidential range after two brutal hikes there in the past year. Last, it really helped me...
Welch-Dickey: The Perfect Lazy Morning Hike
I had heard a lot about the Welch-Dickey loop in Waterville Valley before this hike, namely the gorgeous views for relatively little effort. On Saturday I was trying to figure out where to hike with Lucy. She’s still working on her endurance and confidence in the...
Mt. Pemigewasset: A Quick Hike Close to Home
Yesterday was one of those days where you’re laying comfortably in bed looking out the window and you say to yourself, “it’s such a shame I’m not outside taking advantage of the gorgeous weather.” I was just planning on driving back to Boston, but when I saw how nice...
Mt. Pierce: A Snowy Spring Outing to Celebrate Easter
Surprise! It’s definitely still winter in the Presidentials! Winter in the Whites is funny in that it could be a balmy 55 degrees when you leave your car but 20 degrees at the summit. And that’s exactly what happened yesterday. It was a nice day for hiking, but it...
Tom & Field: Lucy’s Reintroduction to the NH 48
Today Lucy and I spent some quality time together in the mountains. Now that I’m done with the NH48, I’m a little more focused on Lucy’s list. I’m not sure she’s cut out for all of them, specifically the rough terrain in the northern Presidentials, but she loves being...
Waumbek: A One Year Post-Broken Neck Celebration Hike
On September 15, 2017 I was in a freak accident that fractured my C7 transverse process. In more common terms, on this day exactly one year ago I broke my neck. It was a combination of events involving my unbelievable clumsiness, a trampoline park, and being hit at...
Jackson: A Quick Afternoon Hike with My Girl Lucy
With graduate school starting next week, I really want to make the most out of my last few days of freedom before my life turns back into school-related chaos. A super long weekend in the mountains will be the perfect escape. I just got back from Iceland on Monday...
Cannon Mountain: Good to Be Home
Cannon is really special to me because I grew up skiing here every weekend for about ten years. The one family activity that we did on a regular basis growing up was skiing. Every Friday night we would pack up the car and go up to Cannon for the weekend. Some of my...
Mt. Tecumseh: A Quick Hike for Another 4K
Yesterday's hike marked the second 4,000 footer for Lucy and me. Mount Tecumseh is the lowest 4,000 footer standing at 3,997 feet. Is Tecumseh still on the NH 48 list even though it's no longer 4,000 feet? New surveying technology in the past few years has made the...
Zealand Mountain: Conquering Our First NH 4,000 Footer!
Saturday marked the start of our NH 4000 footer journey! Click here for our NH 48 guide with trip reports, tips, and tricks for completing the list! Lucy and I decided to start with Zealand Mountain because we wanted to do a familiar trail, and I have stayed at the...
WELCOME
Hi! I'm Lexi and this is my pup Lucy. This is our hiking blog where I write all about our adventures! Our goal is to empower you with the tools and advice you need to spend more time in nature. Lucy and I have tested lots of gear, hiked many trails around the world, and learned more about ourselves than we could have ever imagined. Join us as we our continue exploring the backcountry and beyond! 
