Trail Log

The Miles Behind Him

Every dog has a favorite trail. Charlie has three, and he'll remind you about all of them if you sit down near his leash. Here's a running record of the hikes that mattered.

First Summit: Mount Sanitas

Charlie was ten months old and had never seen a switchback. He pulled the whole way up, sniffed every rock cairn, and refused to sit still for the summit photo. Took three tries.

3.1 miles
1,343 ft gain
Boulder, CO

Ice on the Switchbacks: Hessie Trailhead

First real winter hike. He figured out packed snow doesn't hold scent the same way and spent most of the trail confused about it. Booties lasted about four minutes before he shook them off in protest.

4.2 miles
18°F
Nederland, CO

The Long One: Diamond Lake Loop

Still his longest hike on record. He swam three separate times, lost a tennis ball to the current, and slept for fourteen hours straight afterward. Worth every mile.

8.9 miles
2,020 ft gain
Indian Peaks Wilderness

Trail Friends

Dogs He's Met Along the Way

Charlie's not picky about company. Some of these dogs he's seen a dozen times, some just once at a trailhead water station. All of them made the list.