Page 14 - Klahanie March Magazine Flip_Neat

Dog-Friendly

HIKING IN

ISSAQUAH

Remember that New Year’s
resolution you made? You know,
the one about getting more
exercise? March is a great time
to take your dog on some new
hikes beyond the 30 miles of
Klahanie trails. So as the weather
gets warmer grab your dog and
explore some of our community’s
best trails.

One of the best, most dog-
friendly trails is West Tiger
Mountain. Frequented by hikers
of all shapes and sizes, this is the
perfect trail for people with young
to year- old puppies who need to
see lots of different people and
equipment, such as canes, hats hike or spend the whole day by
and backpacks. Puppies rewarded connecting to the other Cougar
with a treat when these hikers Mountain trails. There are little
appear are well on their way to bridges and creeks to cross, and
being beautiful friendly and having lots of switchbacks. Special notes:
excellent coping skills. One note We’ve seen a lot of deer up there, that can come off easily if the dog
of caution, however: even if your and you must stay on the trails becomes entangled in anything on
dog is on a leash, there are often due to the mining history of this the trail.
a few who are not. The trailhead area.
is just east at the High Point Way Be sure to carry basic supplies
exit driving east off I-90. With Even if your primary purpose is with you, such as a small fi rst-aid
more than 80-miles of trails, to get out and get some exercise, kit, waste collection bags (which
great views and everything from don’t forget the fun things you you take home with you) treats,
wooded trails to serious climbing, can be working on with your dog water, a leash, cellphone, and a
West Tiger has something for along the way. Teaching your sturdy pocket knife. A whistle is
every dog and handler. dog to wear a backpack and to always a good idea, as is Spray
walk behind you while passing Shield, an alternative to pepper
Just to the west of Issaquah, take others on the trail is great exercise spray that shoots a stream of
the SR 900 off I-90 and go south for your pet’s mind and body. citronella oil up to 10 feet. It
to the Wilderness Creek trailhead, Wearing a backpack not only aids won’t stop a bear, but it’s a safe
leading to the Cougar Mountain in carrying supplies, but also helps and harmless way to discourage
Wildlife Park. It smaller and less more energetic dogs stay calm unwelcome threats from other
crowded, and gets steep pretty and focused. We recommend dogs and smaller wildlife.
quickly, so it is a good workout. packs which are made with
You can do just a short Velcro-fastened storage bags Happy Hiking!

1 4 I S S U E # 1 WWW.KLAHANIE.COM