Does this sound reasonable?

[Stacy]

Katie is an 18 month and 27 pound mini goldendoodle. And we're from the flatlands of Kansas. This summer I would like to drive out to Colorado and hike up Barr trail to Barr camp. It's the trail up to the top of Pike's Peak. We would only be going as far as the camp, so halfway. It's 7 miles with a fairly significant increase in elevation. 

She and I are both in reasonable shape. I've done this several times, but never with a dog. I know I can make it (not setting any land speed records, but slow and steady gets there!) I just don't want to ask too much of her. Let's be honest. She's probably in better shape than I am. And I'm going to be carrying all the stuff. But still, it's something she's never done before. And I just wanted to get some opinions from people who do these sorts of things before we are halfway (of halfway) up a mountain!

Thanks, Stacy

[Amy and Annabelle]

It isn't so much the going up hill as the thin air in Colorado. People can get really sick from it. My GR I think suffered from it as well. I had to be careful with him and not go above 11,000 feet. The symptoms of altitude sickness are tired, weak, shortness of breath, but they can also be symptoms of being out of shape and going on too long of a hike.The higher you go the thinner the air gets.

[Stacy]

That is a really good point that I didn't even think about. I know she does twice the mileage I do at the dog park. She loves to run after all the dogs and I just stand there and watch her. I didn't even think about her getting that much more mileage when we are actually on the trail. I need to find one of the hands free leashes so she can just be attached to me.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

There are dogs out there that have very soft pads - but I doubt your dog is one of those if you are taking him on trails, sidewalks, etc.  Their pads usually toughen up with use.  I bet your doodle will be just fine and have so much fun.  I wish  was going with you! Take lots of photos and enjoy!

[Stacy]

I think you're right about her paws being okay. She plays pretty hard outside. And she's running around without complaint on the stupid pine needles at my new house that stab me in the foot every time I try to go outside without shoes. 

And the next course of business is to figure out how to get rid of stabby pine needles without cutting down the tree!

[Amy and Annabelle]

My daughter is in her 30's and single. She goes hiking and camping all the time by herself. She still lives in Colorado. She even spent a week in Paris over Thanksgiving by herself. She tells me she is not going to stop living her life just because she is single. Most of her friends are married with kids or not interested in camping.

[Stacy]

You just described me, except I don't live in Colorado! I have a life to live. I'm not going to wait until (if ever) I happen to get married to start it. I have a house, a car, a job, a dog, and if I can find a guy to fit into all of that it would be wonderful. But I'm not going to sit around waiting. I think it's better to be single than in an unhappy relationship. My grandma still finds it hard to imagine that I drive on the highway or at night or long distances by myself. We single girls have come a long way!

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Take a look at kurgo.com. They have back packs for dogs. I have two for my boys and put bottles of water in the side pockets for them when we walk trails. I am in Michigan so there are no elevation changes but the packs are very well built and seem comfortable for the boys. I know one of the dogs that follows the boys on instagram goes back packing with their owners all the time and they have a kurgo pack for their dog and the dog carries food and water :). I'm not sure if this would apply to your dog (carrying water) because I'm just seeing your dog is a mini and my guys are much bigger so carrying 2 one liter bottles of water and some food for a snack is not heavy at all for them. If you have a good trainer in your area you could ask them what they recommend for conditioning a dog. I know for running with dogs, it's recommended that you increase your mileage no more than a half mile within a two week period to be safe in preventing joint damage. Now thats running not hiking, so at least to my knowledge  you have to be careful because of the hard impact on their hips from running so I'm not sure if this would apply or be similar to hiking. Or atleast thats what a trainer told us, I could be wrong though. If you have instagram, Ludo is the dogs name and they are constantly trail hiking and backpacking in California and his instagram name is Ludo_doodle. You could try messaging them and they probably could offer lots of insight and advice. Have fun!

[Stacy]

I have the kurgo car harness for Katie. I think it's very well made. Like you said, I'm not sure the backpack would be worth it for the amount that she can safely carry. I don't know that much about dogs, but with people you are only really supposed to carry a precentage of your body weight 20 - 25% or so. That would be about 6 pounds for Katie. I can probably carry her 6 pounds of whatever too. 

I do think it's important for her to be well conditioned enough not to get hurt. I always worry about the dogs who are running marathons with their people. One of the girls I work with started running with her puppy very young. And the vet even told her it wasn't a good idea, but she's continued. I keep expecting to hear that he is injured, but so far so good. I just don't want to take that risk. I think we would both lose our minds during the recovery from something like that. 

Thanks for the tips! I'll have to check out Ludo. He sounds like a cool pup!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

I think it sounds like an awesome adventure-Colorado is my favorite state to visit! We took our Winnie out there last summer and had a blast. I definitely could tell that the altitude affected her as much as it did us. So, if possible, I would advise spending 2 or more days at the higher elevation before you start the actual hike. Also, since you don't have hills/mountains, is there a stadium (or some other place with lots of steps) that you can take her to for some extra "hill" conditioning? 

Have fun!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Having taken our standard doodle on many hikes and runs, and what comes to mind is 1. elevation and getting accustomed to it, 2. paw pads : so having boots for protection is important and 3. taking breaks as she dictates during the hike, 4. Have first aid for her paws should the boots or terrain cause any abrasions. 

I have one doodle that would just take off and go all day and one that looks for shady spots to rest in every 10' on a hike but both need paws cared for usually. 

[Marni and Hanna]

Wow. don't know if Im more impressed that you have already hiked this trail or that you are motivated to do it again!   I live in northern Colorado on the front range and we go hiking up in Summit County (Breck/Frisco/Vail area) as often as possible.  Hanna (my 60lb standard goldendoodle) also runs up to 6 miles with me when I'm training for 10ks and half marathons.  Last spring I rode the cog railway up and saw everyone hiking it and decided that it is not something for my bucket list... (Ill just blame it on age and tell myself that you are 20 years younger than me!!)

Having said all that, I think the biggest thing is that you are concerned enough about it to think it through thoroughly like you are doing. Kudos for that! 

Some thoughts:

Elevation will definitely be an issue, but just be sure to read up on how it effects you and how it can effect your dog (Ive googled the topic before) so you know what signs/symptoms to look for in both yourself and your dog.  Plenty of water and snacks for both of you (which you mentioned you had covered).  I do think hill training would help (using more different muscles that just hiking/walking flatland) Someone else mentioned earlier about stadium steps--thought that was a good idea if hills are hard to find in your area, or squats and lunges if no steps around?! From what I saw the trail was pretty busy, so I think safety wise you should be fine--(common sense of course!) I use a nylon web belt on my waist that I put a carabiner on and put the handle of Hanna's 4 foot leash through so we can walk/hike/run hands free that works really well for us.-the 4 foot works good for us, (6 foot is too long and gets tripped on), not sure if it would work with a smaller dog?? Many have mentioned conditioning the paws--very dry and rocky there, so try to duplicate those conditions? 

I think just the main thing is being attentive to how Katie is doing (which sounds like you are) and rest and cool off in the shade when you need to.  One thing I always have in the back of my mind is if something way bad happens, can I carry my 60 lb dog back to the car and the trailhead--It would be ugly, but Id (and most of us here!) would die trying...at least Katie is only 27 lbs, an armful for sure, but doable!!!  I think it will be a great bonding experience, and sounds like you are well on your way to being overly prepared, so Good Luck and let us know how it goes- Keep us posted !!

[Marie and Hoka]

Marni and Hanna,

Where are you in No Colorado? We just moved to Fort Collins and there are a ridiculous amount of doodles in our neighborhood.

Hoka is my running partner too, so if you are anywhere near us maybe we could meet up for a run sometime. I take Hoka up to 7 if it's cool out, less in the summer.  (and I'm super slow) I am always in some kind of training mode, will try to get to half marathon length in next month.

Marie and Hoka