Canine hikes

Love to hike and have a dog? Love to hike and wish you had a dog?

Photo by Diane Alexander. A group of canine hikers.

We've got the answer for you. Picture this: the sun is shining, the hills are green (or perhaps they are brown), the air smells sweet, and you are surrounded by interesting people and your favorite pooch - or someone else's favorite pooch. Dogs are frolicking all around, meeting each other, sniffing, running, and playing. It is a great time for everyone, two-footed or four-footed.

Are you wondering where this takes place and how to join the fun? It is the Canine Hikes of the Hiking Section. We organize two to four hikes a month, all in places where your dogs can run off-leash. Dogs on our hikes are all shapes and sizes, but are expected to be well-socialized and have basic obedience skills.

Some hikes include a doggie swim if we are near a pond or the Bay. Occasionally they even include a train ride for everyone! Just be prepared for a lot of "dog talk". We dog-owners and dog-lovers really enjoy talking about our best four-legged friends. As is the rule for all Sierra Club outings, we always respect the rules of the park in which we are hiking. And we bring the "4L's" - leash, lunch, liquids, and litter bags.

So the next time you are hankering to take a hike and can't bear to leave your best four-footed buddy home, or you just want to be around happy dogs, check out the canine hiking schedule in the Yodeler or the Sierra Club's website.

And if you enjoy our hikes and want to become a canine-hike leader, call Diane Alexander at (925) 676-0302. We welcome all hike-loving, responsible people as canine hike leaders.