Cannon Almost

[sierra]

I'm doing the 4k's with my new dog Buddy. We attempted the Hi Cannon trail on Monday and were turned back at the ladder. While most White mountain " Ladder's" are stairs or steps, this was really a ladder. there was no way my dog could climb that ladder. We made a brief attempt on the gully next to it, but with the snow and ice and the steepness of the gully, I deemed it unsafe. Looks like its the Kinsman Ridge trail for out next attempt. Hopefully this post will help other dog hikers in avoiding this mistake. My number one rule with my dog, safety first, his well being is always a top priority. This is our first failed summit, but like I told Buddy, that sucker aint going anywhere.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

There's now a fine alternative to the other hiking trails. See Steve Smith's blog here. I did it recently, and it's very dog-friendly. With ski season coming on, you might want to check with Cannon Mtn ski area to see if using this new trail is still OK, however.

 

[JCarter]

As of 10/26/13 the signage had been removed from the lower end of the Mittersill Trail, and the Cannon Mtn Base lodge still has all the "No Hiking on Ski Trails" notices. While they don't make snow on the Mittersill side, they probably already frown on hiking the Mittersill to Cannon stretch for this winter. The lifts and ski trails are scheduled to open 11/29. (Loon Mountain was apparently open last weekend).

 

[sierra]

Can the kinsman ridge trail be used during ski season? I looked at the WMG and it states that the route crosses a ski trail several times.

 

[TJsName]

Can the kinsman ridge trail be used during ski season? I looked at the WMG and it states that the route crosses a ski trail several times.

Yes - it crosses a gladed ski trail that generally only experts enjoy. Most of the time the skiing isn't that great in there. Odds are if it's an awesome day for skiing, you wouldn't want to be breaking trail in there anyway. The trail is open year round though.

As for the ladders, we made it up them with a couple standard poodles a few years back, but we had 5 people to help keep them safe. These dogs also were savvy hiking vets so they weren't too phased by it. I would think KRT via Lonesome Lake would be the nicer of the two winter ascents for dogs.

 

[sierra]

Yes - it crosses a gladed ski trail that generally only experts enjoy. Most of the time the skiing isn't that great in there. Odds are if it's an awesome day for skiing, you wouldn't want to be breaking trail in there anyway. The trail is open year round though.

As for the ladders, we made it up them with a couple standard poodles a few years back, but we had 5 people to help keep them safe. These dogs also were savvy hiking vets so they weren't too phased by it. I would think KRT via Lonesome Lake would be the nicer of the two winter ascents for dogs.

Thanks for the info. I'll try it soon. I cant believe poodles made it up that ladder! no offense, they are nice dogs. I guess this being my first hiking dog, I am being cautious, although if I was at that same place tomorrow I still wouldn't do it. You heard the term mans best friend, I just wont see my dog get hurt, Id rather not risk it. My dog would follow me into hell if I led him there, its a serious responsibility having a hiking dog. I will put him first, no matter what.

 

[Peakbagr]

How large and how much does your dog weigh?
Ruffwear makes an excellent harness, well supported under the dog in 2 places with a carrying handle right at the balance point.

 

[bobandgeri]

Most people don't know that poodles are one of the most athletic dogs! A friend and his standard poodle did a pemi loop a couple years ago in something like 9:15, and include all the side spurs including N. Twin, Zealand, Galehead, and W. Bond!

Our Dusty who is 17 pounds has been up/down the High Cannon trail and ladders in Winter with no issues - it all depends on the dog.

 

[sierra]

How large and how much does your dog weigh?
Ruffwear makes an excellent harness, well supported under the dog in 2 places with a carrying handle right at the balance point.

I did buy that harness and it did not fit well. My dog is 50 lbs, but very narrow in the body (Australian Shepard) and the Ruffwear harness kept slipping to the side. Bobandjerri that's impressive, your making me feel a little wimpy. Maybe if there was more of a snow base surrounding the ladder, but it looked necky to me. This is my first year hiking with my dog, maybe we will get more ambitious as I learn his limits, but I'm determined to err on the side of caution.

 

[TJsName]

Most people don't know that poodles are one of the most athletic dogs! A friend and his standard poodle did a pemi loop a couple years ago in something like 9:15, and include all the side spurs including N. Twin, Zealand, Galehead, and W. Bond!

Our Dusty who is 17 pounds has been up/down the High Cannon trail and ladders in Winter with no issues - it all depends on the dog.

Yeah, I would guess that most people would be impressed with how athletic standard poodles are. They have an undeserved rep of being 'prissy', but they are sporting dogs. I know I was surprised the first time I hiked with them.