Hiking with Your Dog in Northern Colorado

Hiking Horsetooth Rock is a rite of passage for northern Colorado residents, and it’s especially spectacular at sunrise.

The wind was fairly calm that morning, but it can be gale force – so make sure to have layers with you. There were only four other people up there for sunrise, and no other dogs.

Getting down Horsetooth with a 75-pound dog is much more difficult than getting up. Fit your dog with gear that assists in getting her up and down the rocks. Alma wore a Ruffwear pack that had a handle on the back, which was excellent for hauling her up and steadying her on the way down.

Also consider that your dog should be in fairly good shape for the hike: Alma is a 4-year-old couch potato doodle and she did just fine, but she has youth on her side.

The hike is five miles, round-trip, and it’s fairly steep. You gain 1,441 feet in 2.5 miles, going from 5,815-7,256 feet. There are lots of stairs, ruts and a Class 3 scramble at the end that has some pretty decent exposure on the back side of the mountain. I have a healthy fear of heights, and that was enough to give me some butterflies.

This trail is OK for kids that have their wits about them, but parents should keep a close eye if they are 10 and under: There are several spots you can fall hundreds of feet.

Read about more dog friendly trails in Northern Colorado…

 

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