Backpacking with Jackson

It was a great late August weekend when we started our first backpacking adventure with our Blue Heeler, Jackson. Jackson is a 3 or 4 year old Blue Heeler that we acquired from the Humane Society about 2 years ago. This was to be his inaugural backpacking trip. All four adults and Jackson put our backpacks on and began our 3 mile hike into the Indian Peaks Wilderness in Colorado. Jackson, with his Ruff Wear Palisades pack, looked like a tough little backpacker. Though only 45 pounds, he is a well built dog looking much more like a football linebacker than wide receiver.


Since this was Jackson's first backpacking trip, we were careful to not overload his pack. Still his less than 10 pound pack helped carry our food as well as his and he seemed to know he was an important part of this trip. During the first 30 to 45 minutes Jackson was very upbeat. He was looking and sniffing all the great smells of the trail and greeting all the other hikers with his happy demeanor. But, slowly as the hike dragged on, Jackson began to slow to his own sustainable pace. He trudged through creeks, climbed steep sections of the trail, maneuvered through tight spaces. He was a true hiking dog. Eventually we arrived at Diamond Lake and found the backcountry campsite we would call home for the next day or so. After setting up our tent, our tired little pup found his way into his new makeshift crate (the tent) and took a nice long nap.


The high high elevation and rugged terrain had taken it's toll on Jackson, but by the next morning he was ready to go again. An early morning hike found him romping up waterfalls and steep inclines. A surefooted mountain goat of a dog. He was in dog heaven.

Later that day, it was time to pack up and head back to the car. Another rugged hike with the pack for Jackson. By this time, his pack seemed to be second nature the the little guy. He seemed to actually enjoy showing off with his cool pack as we headed back down the mountain. At one point, as we approached a couple of other dogs, Jackson picked up his pace to seemingly say "look I'm cool" as we passed his bretheren.

After finally arriving back at home, Jackson slept for 12 or so hours and dreamed about chipmunks, waterfalls and towering mountains.

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