One cold November night in the Blood Mountain Wilderness in north Georgia, Steve Goodrich and his wife, Ashley, had to wrap themselves around their yellow lab, Rebel, under one sleeping bag. It was the last time they would fail to anticipate their dog's special needs on the trail. Since then, Rebel and the Goodriches have hiked thousands of miles together in Georgia and South Carolina to select the best dog-friendly, dog-fun, and dog-safe trails in the region.
Most hikes are on lightly traveled trails with few horses, bicycles, or motorized vehicles. Hikes avoid steep, rocky terrain and many offer lakes or streams as rewards. Potential dog hazards such as alligators or snakes are noted in the hike descriptions. Advice on hiking with dogs includes what to pack for your pooch--the Ten Canine Essentials and a doggy first-aid kit. A "Hike Summary" chart in the front of the book indicates trail length, water features, loop hikes, whether "best for fit dogs," and more.
