* Guidebook to 85 dog-friendly trails in Oregon * Trails near Portland, Eugene-Springfield, Roseburg, and Medford-Grants Pass, as well as along the Oregon coast and in the Wallowa Mountains
Best Hikes with Dogs Oregon, 2nd Ed. puts you and your dog on trails selected for safety, access to shade and water for your dog, and their off-leash friendliness. Ellen Bishop and her dogs, Meesha (border collie mix), Dundee (Australian shepherd), and Kyla (also a border collie mix) covered mile after fun-filled, slobbery mile to find Oregon's best rolling hills and open meadows for pups and their hiking companions. The trails in this guidebook do not require leashes (except in parks as designated) and host few hikers and even fewer children. They are free of cliffs, paw-damaging terrain, poison oak, nearby roads, off-road vehicle traffic, and other hazards of particular danger for dogs.
This is such a fun book to look at and think of all the possibilities. There are more hikes in this book than my dog and I could complete in many years. Each hike is rated for difficulty and the book tells you how long the trail is as well as how steep it is, whether there is water, shade, lots of crowds, etc. I have been to several of the trails including Forest Park, Tryon Creek, Angel's Rest, Hart's Cove, Wahclellah Falls, etc. I would never have known many of these places were out there without the help of this book. That being said, the directions are often very vague; I've gotten lost more than once looking for a trailhead, and there is one (Oneonta Gorge/Triple Falls) that I never found. Also, the trails are rated for which seasons they can be hiked inaccurately--one trail (Hart's Cove) was listed as year round but the access road is closed half the year! Some of the trails are listed as one way only, meaning you need at least two people and two vehicles to complete them, or you would somehow need to hitch-hike with your dog back to your car. I think the addition of color pictures would also add much to this book. It's hard to tell how beautiful many of these places are by the black and white pictures.
Dog and I like the book
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
I truely enjoy the book. We have been on roughly five of the hikes recommended in the book. The author states what difficult level each hike is. However, that is for her and her dogs fitness level. I only found one trail impossible to master so far. But that was because of fear of heights. After going on these trails I add my own comments to the book, such as how the trail was, if litterbags were available and if restrooms were on site. I also add a map were available and mark our own hikes. Because of this book we have discovered a few new trails to take. Thank you Ellen Bishop.
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