Canicross Hikes 2010: First Hike and Swim is July 10, 2010

Come on Out for Our Canicross Hike and Swim!

It's been a bit delayed in coming but we have finally scheduled two Canicross Club Hikes for the 2010 canicrossing season. We've had numerous inquiries from interested folks so hopefully we will have good groups for each hike.

Our first Canicross Club Hike will be a Hike and Swim held at Gunpowder Falls State Park on July 10, 2010 and our second Canicross Club Hike will be at Sugarloaf Mountain on September 11, 2010.

All abilities are welcome on our hikes. If you would like to hike with your dog on leash instead of canicrossing, that is fine too. Please be aware that park rules require that all dogs must remain leashed at all times.

Visit the Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC website for more information on our Canicross Club. For a schedule of upcoming hikes, check out the Upcoming Events section of our website. For specific hike details, see the hike descriptions below. To register email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com.

Eric and Okemo canicross hiking at Gunpowder Falls State Park

The view on the trail

Acadia lines out. For a list of dog sledding (and canicross) commands visit our website.

Acadia practices her doggy paddle after Canicross Hiking at Gunpowder

Sugarloaf Mountain views

What to Bring on all of our Canicross Hikes: To canicross, you will need a properly fit pulling harness for your dog (loaner harnesses can sometimes be arranged, email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com for more details), a canicross (or skijor) belt (belts can be purchased through Nooksack or White Pine Outfitters), and a 1-2 dog line or leash (lines can be purchased from Maryland Sled Dog Adventures for $35 per line with advance notice), plenty of water for you and your dog, a bowl (or some way to give your dog water), comfortable and supportive hiking boots, a lunch for you and snacks for your dog, and weather appropriate hiking clothes. Optional items include sunscreen, hat, bug repellent, and a camera. You will need a small backpack or fanny pack to carry these items along the trail. If you have any questions about what to bring email catherine@marylanddogsledding.com.

Details: Cost of each hike is $10 per person. One dog per person, please. Each hike is limited to eight (8) participants. All participants must sign our waiver and release. Each of these hikes requires a certain level of physical fitness for both dogs and humans.

Okemo on the Gunpowder north trail slides under a log

Okemo and I hike along at Gunpowder Falls State Park

Acadia takes a cooling dip after canicross hiking

Canicross Hike and Dog Swim at Gunpowder Falls State Park

Saturday, July 10, 2010: Our first Canicross Club Hike of the season will be approximately 5 miles of hiking through the woods along the Gunpowder North and South Trail at Gunpowder Falls State Park. Start time for this hike is 10 AM. Bring your swim suits and water shoes and after the hike, we'll go for a swim/wade in the crystal clear waters of the Gunpowder at an area the locals call "Hillbilly Beach." Starting out, we'll follow the Gunpowder South trail as it parallels the Gunpowder River for approximately 2.5 miles. At Big Falls Road, we'll cross the Gunpowder and come back along the river on the Gunpowder North Trail passing a small waterfall, Raven Rock Falls. This hike is a moderate to easy hike. After the hike, we'll lunch, swim and wade with the pups at Hillbilly Beach. In addition to the items above, for this hike, be sure to bring a swim suit (plan on changing in your car or the woods), towels for you and your dog, sunscreen, and a lunch for you and snacks for your dog. You may also wish to bring a camp chair for lounging around and socializing after the hike.

Rating: Easy

Directions:

From Baltimore: Take I-83 North to Mt. Carmel Road. Exit and go east (right). Follow Mt. Carmel Road to York Road (stop light) and turn North (right). Follow York Road north for approximately 2-3 miles. As the road begins to go down steeply and just BEFORE crossing the river you will see two trail head parking areas on the left and right side of York Road. Park in either (be careful crossing the road with your dog).

Canicross Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain Hike (with optional winery stop)
Saturday, September 11, 2010: Our final Canicross Club hike of the 2010 season will take place at Sugarloaf Mountain. This five mile hike offers panoramic views of Frederick and the fields and farms surrounding Frederick. Please plan on packing a lunch which we'll plan to have at the White Rocks Overlook. Also, please be aware that this hike is a popular day hike and as a result we will begin this hike at 9 AM. Please bring only dogs that are friendly with other dogs and people. Also please plan on carpooling. The lots at Sugarloaf Mountain are small and fill up quickly. We will meet at the West View Parking lot. For a map of the hiking trails at Sugarloaf Mountain and site information click here. Post hike join us for an optional excursion to Sugarloaf Mountain Winery for a short wine tasting (please plan on bringing money to cover the cost of this additional excursion).

Rating: Moderate to Difficult

From Baltimore: Take I-70 West towards Frederick for approximately 60 miles. Exit onto I-270 South.

Take Exit 22 for Route 109. From the bottom of the exit ramp, follow Route 109 South for 2.9 miles. Turn Right onto Route 95 (Comus Road) toward Sugarloaf Mountain. Go 2.4 miles to a wide paved area at the Sugarloaf Mountain Entrance. Turn Right into the mountain entrance (the second right) and follow the road steeply uphill. Pass the East View parking lot. Continue along a level stretch of road and then fork right uphill for the west view parking lot.

From DC: From Interstate 495 (Capitol Beltway) take Exit 35 (outer loop) or Exit 38 (Inner Loop) in order to take I-270 North. Once you are on I-270 North follow the directions above.

Three Across: Canicross Hiking Sugarloaf

Anna and Wolfie Canicross Hiking Sugarloaf

Dog Powered Sports Clinic: October 17, 2009

Dog Scootering with one dog

Does your dog love to run? Does your dog love to pull? Do you have a high energy dog, medium size (30 lbs) or larger dog? Are you looking for a way to exercise with your dog? Tire your dog out? Are walks around the block just not cutting it? Have you always wanted to try dog sledding with your dog?

If so, consider coming to Maryland Sled Dog Adventures LLC's Dog Powered Sports clinic. This clinic will focus on training you and your dog for dog powered sports that are suitable for one to three dog teams including dog scootering, bikejoring, skijoring, and canicross. Not sure what these new and exciting sports are? Read on!

The clinic will be held on October 17, 2009 on the Northern Central Rail trail in northern Baltimore County. Cost is $100 per person. Limit one dog per person, please. Space is limited. Contact catherine@marylanddogsledding.com to register or for more details.

Pawtrekker dog scooter

What are dog scootering, bikejoring, skijoring, and canicross?

Dog Scootering: Dog scootering is scootering while one to three dogs pull you while you ride on a non motorized scooter. It is similar to mushing and dog sledding but is done in when there is no snow on the ground (perfect for Maryland), usually with fewer dogs. Your dog must learn basic dog sledding commands including, "gee," "haw," "on by," and "line out."

Dog Scootering with two dogs

Dog scootering in a race with two dogs

Dog scootering

Bikejoring: Bikejoring (literally meaning bike driving) is biking while being pulled by a dog. Bikejoring can be done with one to three dogs and is a shared adventure between you and your dogs. Bikejoring allows you to go further (and faster) than might otherwise go by yourself and is great way to get out and explore new trails while exercising you and your dog.

Bikejoring with one dog

Bikejoring with one dog

Skijoring: Skijoring is cross country skiing while a dog pulls you. It is an exhilarating and fast growing winter sport which combines dog sledding and cross country skiing. Literally meaning ski driving in Norwegian, skijoring allows a dog and owner to exercise together while enjoying the outdoors.

Skijoring with two dogs

Skijoring with one dog

Canicross: Canicross is cross country running or hiking while a dog pulls you. It's more than just jogging with your dog on leash and it requires, as all dog powered sports do, that your dog understand basic commands, including "gee," haw," "on by," and "line out." Canicross is an excellent way to get out and explore new trails with your canine companion.

Canicross Hiking

Canicross hiking with Zoe