*Trails that are hazard-free and easy on the paws *On most trails, no leashes required and no crowds to dodge *Guidebook to 75 trails covering eastern Washington, Idaho panhandle, and northwest Montana; plus Okanagan Highlands and BC Kootenay (Canada)
Although Mittens is the star of Best Hikes with Dogs Inland Washington (that's her on the cover ), more than a dozen dogs, big and small, were enlisted to help select the best trails for optimum canine enjoyment throughout Inland Washington. These trails do not require leashes (except in parks as designated). More than two-thirds of the hikes are on lesser known trails where travel is very light among other users and where you're unlikely to meet horses, bicycles, or motorized vehicles. They offer shade and lakes or streams for your canine companion to play in and keep cool.
The guidebook offers advance alerts, trail by trail, on any dog hazards to watch for. Additional features include what to pack for your dog, including The Ten Canine Essentials and a doggy first-aid kit, plus a list of documentation you need to cross the US-Canadian border with your dog.
I bought this book even though I don't have a dog. I have several hiking books from the Inland NW and have found this one useful for locating good hikes in the region. Most of the hikes are in the northern part of eastern Washington, northern Idaho, and western Montana - most at least an hour's drive from Spokane or CDA. This book has very useful overviews that include the elevation gain, length, average hiking time, highest elevation, best hiking season, and the USGS map to go along with the hike. The text for each hike is good - though as with all guide books, I've found inaccuracies that can have you scratching your head, or worse, lost. The trail map is a traditional topographical style with thick dotted lines showing the primary trail. I also liked how non-primary trails were shown in the maps - functional for side excursions. There are good black and white pictures strewn through the book. Dog owners should find the "tips" section and the hike text useful. Drawbacks include no overall difficulty levels - though this is often found in the text. I would have also liked to have seen more trails closer to town. Overall, I would recommend this to Inland NW hikers, both dog owners and not dog owners alike.
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