This wonderful one year old mixture of Labrador retriever, giant Schnauzer and possibly Scottish deerhound is known formally as Pedro. His foster family feels that he both resembles and responds better to his nickname Roscoe. And so for our journey to the summit of Mt. Cardigan (3,155 ft.) on Sunday, April 29th, I chose to address him informally as Roscoe.
Roscoe meets Emma and samples some treats
We had the opportunity to encounter several hikers - both human and canine - on our trip to the summit. Roscoe was a perfect gentleman when greeting everyone he met. He also displayed exquisite leash manners throughout our hike along the loop comprising the Manning, Mowglis, Clark, Cathedral Forsest and Holt trails which begins at the AMC Lodge located in Alexandria, New Hampshire. I was very impressed with how well Roscoe responded to commands and instinctively waited for me to be walking right alongside him before proceeding further up the trail.
Just below the summit of Firescrew Mountain
A few of the hikers we encountered had traveled a reverse loop with an ascent up the Holt Trail, and they strongly cautioned that it was NOT dog friendly. A partial description of the upper section of the Holt Trail in the AMC Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide reads, "The upper ledges are very steep, and the scramble up these ledges is much more difficult than on any other trail in this section and one of the most difficult in New England...",
Time for only a few windblown photos from the summit
While there are likely a number of canine hikers who have successfully climbed the Holt Trail (in addition to the very agile German shepherd mix we met at the summit on Sunday), Roscoe and I want to pass along this word of caution to others who may be contemplating that route. There are plenty of other more dog friendly ways to reach the summit of Mt. Cardigan. Roscoe needed very little assistance on the route we selected which included a stop at the summit of Firescrew Mountain (3,064 ft.). Our only complaint from the otherwise perfectly gorgeous day was that the high winds at the summit of Mt. Cardigan made it very chilly and difficult to take more than a few photos. We continued further down the trail for a short break just below the summit before completing the second half of our loop.
Roscoe making it difficult for me to say goodbye
Roscoe was rescued from an overcrowded animal shelter in Arkansas thanks to the all volunteer efforts of Almost Home Rescue of Maine. He currently shares his foster home with two adults and a 7-month old Labrador retriever mix. To learn more about Roscoe, share his information with a friend or apply to adopt him, please visit his profile here on Petfinder.com. In addition, you can view a full album of photos from his hike. A short video clip from Roscoe's hike is provided below and can also be viewed online here.
Foster dog Adair enjoyed making fresh tracks in the snow en route to the High Ridge Trail leading to Faraway Mountain. This super sweet, six month old Labrador retriever mix acted as if snowshoe hikes were second nature to him. As Adair enjoyed stomping through the fresh snow and chasing windblown leaves across the trail, it was difficult to believe that only a few months ago he had been found abandoned with his litter mates outside a church in Arkansas.
A thought filled break on the trail
Thankfully, Adair is now resting comfortably in a foster home with a volunteer from Almost Home Rescue of Maine while he waits to find a family to call his own. He is obviously ready to find his permanent home with a family in New England who will enjoy his kindness and appreciate his love of travel and the great outdoors. With his advanced level leash manners and a desire to remain close by, Adair was perfect company for a winter walk in the woods.
An exciting view from the lookout
While the strong winds tended to slow our upward progress at times, Adair and I did not mind taking our time along the trails leading to Faraway Mountain - one of several peaks in the Ossipee Mountain Range. While we did not have time to reach the summit of Faraway Mountain, we were pleased with making our way to the High Ridge Trail via the Oak Ridge, Lower Bridle Path and Faraway Mountain Trails before turning around to complete our wintry out and back adventure.
Watching the children sledding nearby
We did not encounter any other hikers on our journey, but Adair has proven himself capable of interacting well with people and pets of all ages in his foster home. He was also captivated by the sight of a few children sledding on a nearby hill where we completed our hike. Adair sat quietly and watched the children playing while I took a few final photos.
A complete album of photos documenting Adair's journey is available online. Below is a short video clip of Adair making fresh tracks on a section of the Faraway Mountain Trail. To learn more about Adair and to make an application to adopt him into your family, please visit his profile here on Petfinder.com.
