[Just say Mo]

Hello, Does anyone have recommendations for great trails to do with your dog?

[Backpacker Joe]

I should think that you could get away with any trail if your dog is on a leash! Sure I know that they arent allowed in many places, but people wont have a problem if they are on a leash! Otherwise, dogs often intimidate people! TB

[MCaver]

People will have a problem if you take a dog where it's not allowed, leashed or not. But that's not the topic here. I've seen dogs frequently on the Fragrance Lake trail in Larrabee State Park, as well as several trails in the I-90 corridor. They always seem to be enjoying themselves.

[catwoman]

As far as I'm aware, they're allowed on any trails except in the national parks. So, no go at Mt Rainier NP, Oly NP, and I'm assuming the North Cascades NP, too.

[Alan Bauer]

This has long been a confusing issue....and if you want likely the best source up updated information and also (finally) a place to hopefully begin the process to better educate people on how to be better trail stewards with their poochies in tow, Dan Nelson has a new book coming out very soon now "Hiking With Dogs: Western Washington". Sure, it will serve as an idea list to many, but as we all know basically any trail is a dog-hiking trail. His main purpose in this book is to educate people on how to make not only their own trip with their dog great, but equally as important how to make the trip enjoyable and peaceful for EVERYONE else out on the trail.

[catwoman]

Alan, I believe they specifically do not allow them in the National Parks.

[Dante]

My wife saw some reference to a "Best hikes with a dog" book in the Sunday Times/PI. She's getting it for her mom and her mom's dog Nebish (which I call "the wolf without dignity" ).

[Scrooge]

[Otter]

I was recently talking to someone that had to change there plans... i guess gos had been aloud on the trail to engals lake as long as they were on leash...but when they stopped by there recently to go for a short backpack with there dog..there was a sign that said dogs were no longer aloud on that particular trail. I am not sure what all caused the change...but it was thought that lack of clean up had contributed to it... this had been a popular trail for people with dogs in the past. I don't mind coming across dogs on the trail..as long as they are well behaved, friendly and cleaned up after. I find dogs to be far more friendly most of the time than people on some trails...especially more crowded ones. Good luck and have fun!

[catwoman]

Scrooge, My God, you're such a socialite and dog lover!

[Smokey]

Dogs are NOT allowed on national park trails. One grey area is the PCT in the national parks if you are thru hiking. They are also banned from some other areas, one being the Enchantments. Most popular trails require that dogs be leashed and it's usually indicated on the sign at the start of the trail. Thanks to Scrooge's suggestion from the old WTA board, we often head for Weyerhaeuser country on weekends. Great dog area, Fido doesn't care that it's not the prettiest place on earth. I have Dan Nelson's new dog trail book. Great for new dog owners and hikers. I've got Mondays off. There ain't nobody out there, especially after school starts. The mutt and I are both running around off leash.

[ajgoodkids]

Nebish? Is that a short e like Nebbish? Is the dog a likeable nerd with no personality?

[Dante]

[Mike Collins]

Nebbish is Yiddish for a person who is a non-entity; a born loser. The difference between a "shlemiel" and a "nebbish" is that you can dislike or get angry with a shlemiel but only pity a nebbish. He is usually the person you forgot to introduce in a group. He would walk his dog in a national park but not even know he was in a national park.

[Dante]

It is the perfect name for the dog in question.