Juno’s first overnight backpacking trip in 2016 was also my first overnight backpacking trip: 20+ super-scenic miles of the John Muir Trail in California’s Ansel Adams Wilderness. I was worried she’d get tired, that she’d hate her pack, that she’d provoke a bear or get bitten by a snake or cut her paw and need to be carried 20 miles back to the car…but she absolutely CRUSHED it.
Since then we’ve hiked, camped, and backpacked in 30+ states and 3 Canadian provinces, covering some ruff (😉) but gorgeous terrain. Here’s the gear we swear by for a tail-wagging good time on the trail.
1. Ruffwear Approach Dog Pack
Like any good adventure dog, Juno pulls her own weight. (And packs out all of her own poop, which is a win for my nostrils.) We’ve had this pack for 3+ years of heavy use now and it shows no signs of damage. The saddlebags keep her load evenly distributed and the handle is good for helping her up or down obstacles. She wears a Medium.
2. Ruffwear Quinzee Insulated Dog Jacket
Juno may be a husky mix, but she’s definitely not built for winter. Poor girl shakes like a leaf the minute it gets below 45º. (Must be a desert dog in her lineage somewhere.) This jacket keeps her cozy and also earns her a ton of compliments. She wears the Larkspur Purple in Medium.
3. NACOCO Adjustable Dog Raincoat
Fun and functional, this $17 jacket keeps Juno from smelling like wet dog if she gets soggy on the trail. Like the puffy coat, this also earns her a ton of attention no matter where we are. Forget the Golden Gate Bridge/Grand Canyon/Lake Louise, tourists seem to say — there’s a dog in a raincoat! (I also have a matching one so we can feel like Debbie Reynolds and Danny Kaye in Singin’ in the Rain.) Juno wears an XL.
4. Musher’s Secret Paw Protection Wax
This is the secret ingredient for all of our extreme-weather dog walks, not just hikes. A thin layer protects Juno’s paws from salt, ice, and snow buildup during the winter and from hot asphalt during the summer. (As the name suggests, it was originally made to keep sled dogs’ paws healthy during long runs in icy conditions.) It also helps keep her paw pads from cracking during long scrambles up and down rough talus slopes.
5. Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots
While the Musher’s Secret is enough for most trips, I always throw Juno’s booties in her pack in case she injures herself or needs a little extra protection. (Plus it’s hilarious to watch her spider-walk in them. Check Youtube if you haven’t seen a dog learn to walk in boots before. You’re welcome.)
6. NiteIze LED Safety Necklace
This makes it easy to keep track of Juno around camp in the dark, especially when there are other critters wandering around.
7. Tick Key
If we’re hiking in tall grass, Juno can be an absolute tick magnet. I always do a tick check (on her and me) after a hike, but her thick fur can make it hard to find the little suckers before they latch on. I keep one tick key in my first aid kit and another in Juno’s pack for quick n’ easy tick removal. (Because digging at her with tweezers wouldn’t be fun for anyone.
8. A cute bandana
Nothing’s cuter than a dog in a bandana, except maybe a dog in a raincoat or a down jacket. It’s also handy to wipe off any messes Juno gets herself into without getting my own Buff dirty.
9. Ruffwear Trail Runner Collapsible Dog Bowl
For years I used a cheap “collapsible” dog bowl that didn’t really collapse (see above), but now we use a Ruffwear bowl that actually collapses into a tiny square smaller than a pack of tissues. It’s awesome.
If you’re hiking or camping with your dog, it’s a good idea to brush up on doggie Leave No Trace principles and make sure you know the rules/leash laws of whatever park you’re visiting. National Bark Ranger Juno thanks you!
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