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You are here: Home / Blog / Dogs on the Trail

04/25/2017 by Ron Floth

Dogs on the Trail

Ruffing it Out

Written by Jocelyn Brown

With winter coming to a close and spring quickly approaching, now is a great time to hit the trails with your whole family. Dogs on the trail are OK so don’t forget to bring Fido! The River Mountains Trails are designed for dogs and humans alike. Here are some tips and activities that will help him join in on the fun.

Tracking and Sniffing Games

Tracking and trailing are what make up the very essence of a dog if he can smell, he can track. The teaching of tracking and sniffing has become a sport and a fun game for owners and their furry pals. Unlike other dog-human activities, tracking puts the dog in charge. With the variety of wildlife located along the River Mountains Loop Trail, it is a great place for a dog to start, or to increase his ability to track different animals. However, be sure that your best bud helps to protect the wildlife on the trails and doesn’t frighten or bother animals such as the turtles in the area. Look but don’t touch.

Biking with your Buddy

River Mountains houses a trail called the Bootleg Canyon Mountain Bike Trail, which is a great location to mountain bike with Fido. It’ll increase your dog’s endurance and strength, as well as provide you both with excellent views of the desert. However, when biking in these conditions you need to pay attention to your dog’s health. Don’t go too fast or too far ahead and always watch out for him. You can buy bicycle attachments that connect your dog to the bike which ensures that he does not run too close or get hurt. To beat the heat, you must make sure he has enough water. The Bootleg Canyon Mountain bike trail has restrooms and water a half a mile along the route, to allow you to rehydrate and fill up for the rest of the journey.

Hiking the River Mountains

Hike to the top of the River Mountain, and take in the views with man’s best friend. You should get him a “dog pack” which not only allows him to carry some of the load, but also keeps him cool. For a one-day hike, these packs can include a collapsible food dish and water, and have a pocket to insert a cooling pack in. A handle at the top also allows you to easily hang onto him if you need to. However, keep an eye out for your dog’s feet. Some dogs have sensitive feet and you need to make sure they don’t overheat or get cut by cactus needles. If he likes them, you can buy him booties to protect his precious paws.

Preserving the Trail

It is important that you and Fido take steps to preserve the trail for others that will come after you. Make sure you stay on the marked paved paths to avoid disturbing flora and fauna, and keep your dog from getting hurt by stray cactus needles. Keeping your buddy on a leash will help him stay on the trail, and prevent them from colliding into bikers and joggers. Also always remember to clean up after you pet. Sometimes duty calls, but it is important that we do our part to preserve the environment and leave it just the way we found it.

Follow the links below for information mentioned in this story.

http://www.dogplay.com/Activities/tracking.html

http://www.particularpaws.com/blogs/news/5-amazing-rescue-dogs/

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/hiking-dogs.html

 

 

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Comments

  1. Kieran says

    07/18/2017 at 4:36 AM

    I love taking my dog with me on trails, and she loves it too! It’s great as it is something we can do together that is a little more challenging than walking.

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River Mountains Loop Trail
2 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail

Update: Closure at RR Pass due to storm damage impacting concrete at railroad tracks.

Henderson is working with UPRR and the Boulder City Railroad Museum to make this repair as soon as possible.
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0 CommentsComment on Facebook

River Mountains Loop Trail
2 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail
Hello All,

The City of Henderson is  temporarily re-routing trail traffic around the railroad tracks near Railroad Pass Casino. We dont have a timetable for this closure yet. 

Updates coming soon on the re-opening of this trail section.

Hello All,

The City of Henderson is temporarily re-routing trail traffic around the railroad tracks near Railroad Pass Casino. We don't have a timetable for this closure yet.

Updates coming soon on the re-opening of this trail section.
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15 CommentsComment on Facebook

It’ll be like this till next year or so .

Had a employee from Railroad museum, train is running but is being stop half down, it is not going pass Railroad Hotel and Casino he sad the track was damaged from Hilary and monsoon rain we had

Where does the trail reroute for this section?

I biked this today and there was no closure?!?!

Lisa Lohmann we will have remember this when we plan our long ride

For your safety = the government is all knowing and you must comply because you know no better!

Great, I’m usually hauling ass there, only to find a barricade 3 seconds till I hit them if I’m watching closely

Part of the F1 race construction?

Steve Burchell

There’s no easy “re-routing” once you’re at this point….

anything fun in henderson, the city wants to tax you to use.

Someone I know biked this section today from the ped bridge over the 11 to BC and said the trail was clear of all the dirt that was on the trail a week ago.

Rode by the Railroad Pass today, no problem. Is it still closed elsewhere?

Mattchew Fisherino

The resurfacing that was slated to begin back in April HAS BEGUN! Someone I know rode the RMLT early morning Monday the 18th and said there were roadwork crews busy repairing cracks and applying blacktop, so please abide by the trail closure signs on the northern section of the trail unless you enjoy riding through fresh tar. BTW, the gates at the RR Casino crossing have been moved out of the way and there appears to be nothing going on there in the way of repairs. Also, the entire trail has been cleared of all gravel and debris from the recent rains so thanks to the City of Henderson for dealing with that. The attached trail closure map that was put online last March now actually applies.

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River Mountains Loop Trail
3 weeks ago
River Mountains Loop Trail
Thank you John Day for cleaning storm debris off of the RMLT!

Thank you John Day for cleaning storm debris off of the RMLT! ... See MoreSee Less

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  • Likes: 595
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34 CommentsComment on Facebook

Thanks John and all that keep our trail clean! Your hard work is greatly appreciated!!

There are some great people in this world!!!

Awesome. We encountered some rough patches on Saturday morning.

Your a legend!! Thank you sir

Wow! What a mess, thanks for clearing all that. I loved riding that trail when I lived in Vegas🚴‍♀️

Thank you...so much!!

You can do the Beltway Trail when you are finished. LOL. All your hard work is greatly appreciated by the cycling community. Thank you.

We have an amazing group of “trail gnomes” in our mountain bike community who put in significant hours to maintain trails throughout the year that are my inspiration to contribute to the biking culture in Henderson, Las Vegas, and Boulder City.

Awesome my friend 🤙🏽

🙌🙌🙌

Clap clap for him .. thank you so much

Thank you

Huge thanks!

I’ve been there 3x on that trail it’s amazing. we start at the railroad casino, thanks for your outstanding support 👏🏻👏🏻

Thanks much. Does anyone know if it needs cleaning anywhere else?? I have free time tomorrow.

Thank you!!!

Thank you John Day!

Thank you!

Thank you!!

Thank you 😊

thanks!

thank you so much, i saw you Saturday but i had to find my husband who turned around, thanks again, appreciate you!!!

Thank you John!

Thank you sir! Greatly appreciated! Kerry Jo Mitchell

Robert Jr Samano

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