More backpacking adventures.  Trying to get a lot of these done since I won't want to take the dogs when it starts to get hot.  This year might be a bit better, but all the water sources dry up in the places I like to go so, combine that with the hotter temps and I'll leave them at home when I go.

Took Mika up the Forsee Creek Trail to Columbine Spring Camp.  Quite a hike.  11 miles round-trip of up and down.  I was beat but she just motored on.  Crazy.  

She also hogs the bed!!  

One interesting thing (at least to me) was that when we got to camp, after she took a short break, she started digging in the dirt. Wasn't sure what she was doing, then she laid down in her newly created "bed".  I'd never seen her do that before- probably because we don't have dirt in our yard.

Also, we got off-trail for a bit until I realized we were going the wrong way.  The second picture shows the slope we were about to traverse.  The picture probably doesn't do it justice, but it was STEEP.  We turned around and found the trail.  phew.

Untitled by Mike H, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike H, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike H, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike H, on Flickr

Untitled by Mike H, on Flickr

That looks like a fun adventure! Since I typically wear hard soled shoes / boots, the incline that Mika was on means I spend as much time slipping back as going up. (( and yeh, let me tell you about the idiocy of coming down from the Garden of the Gods in hard soled boots. ))

It's the old school in me, I guess, even though I have a dome tent since that's about all you can find now, I still prefer a wall tent - of course, when I go out I tend to "light" for a while rather than just overnight.

Two pictures: I like the picture of Mika 'sleeping' with the log - must've been a safe place for him. Also the "attitude" in the bottom picture something between "Why are we here?" and "Well, you brought me, this is *my* bed!"

Thanks Al. I thought the same thing about those two pictures! It was neat to see her dig a hole, and snuggle down next to that log. With her fluffy tail, I think she looks a little fox-like.

I've hiked in both boots and trail runners. I prefer trail runners (specifically the Altra Lone Peak) these days since most of the places I go are essentially worn paths. I was wearing lighter weight boots for this trip since there was a chance of strapping crampons to them (which I did in a couple places). I like the sturdier sole of of the boots and the Vibram soles are a good balance of durability and traction. But trail runners are more comfortable.

A wall tent would definitely be a nice choice for longer stays.

Love these pictures! She has quite the snow nose going on

Took a page out of Leo's trips... my daughter and I went to a frozen yogurt place (I'm not calling it Froyo... ).  They had "pup cups".

Maple Bacon flavor...

Took Max to an area I've seen every time I've gone up to the mountains.  Thought it might be a nice place for a family outing- Thurman Flat Picnic Area.  Turned out to be a cool place.  Hopefully, if this weather holds out, there should be water in the river for a while.

IMG_4661 2 by Mike H, on Flickr

IMG_4630-1 by Mike H, on Flickr


IMG_4643 2 by Mike H, on Flickr

IMG_4645 2 by Mike H, on Flickr

IMG_4647 3 by Mike H, on Flickr

beautiful pics, wow that last one is amazing.

So beautiful! You always find such incredible places to take them! I gotta start doing that kind of stuff, haha.

Thanks Jimmy. This one is not really too far- and it's right off a main road so it's really easy to get to. About 70-90 minutes from me in Escondido. Not sure it's worth it just for this area since you can take them to Elfin Forest and get a similar vibe when the water is flowing there.

There is also Julian, Laguna etc around here, but many places don't allow dogs or only allow dogs on fire roads and in campsites so I'm stuck taking them up into the San Gorgonio Wilderness or San Bernardino mountains etc.

There is one place I've seen, on my way to and from picking up Kohdi and then Mishka, from the breeder. Each time I saw it I was taken by its beauty. It was called Pyramid Lake if I remember correctly and not sure if they allow dogs but it was also very very far away, so not sure I'll ever make it there with them, lol, but it was very very pretty.

Thought I recognized that name. Just googled it.. Pyramid Lake in California or Nevada? We pass the one off the 5 on the way to Bakersfield (couple times a year).

Looks like a cool place.

California, and yes, Bakersfield must be along the way because I passed by Bakersfield to get to the breeder

Testing out a new lens and got a couple pics of the woof-pack... spot the drool.

DSC_0399 copy by Mike H, on Flickr

DSC_0401 copy by Mike H, on Flickr

Max's coat was getting out of hand so we took him to the groomers. Crazy how good he turned out.  No more clumps around his neck. All his shedding fur and the little bit of matting he had is gone. Now we just have to keep up with his grooming better.

he looks so handsome.

Spent a couple nights in the mountains with Mika.  She's the energizer bunny of hiking partners.  Phew... that girl can hike for miles.  Although the next day, she seemed beat and just wanted to stay in the tent so we didn't wander around much.  Fun time.  Here's some pics.

IMG_5118 by Mike H, on Flickr

DSC00494 by Mike H, on Flickr

IMG_5186 by Mike H, on Flickr

DSC00470 by Mike H, on Flickr

beautiful pics. cute napping in the tent pic.

Some BEAUTIFUL pics. My two are the opposite, it’s Kohdi who will go and go and go while Mishka likes to stop at every boulder and people watch, lol.

GREAT pics with the new lens too, I somehow missed that update to the scrapbook . Just love that pic of Max