Paws and Peace: A July Fourth Mountain Escape. Dogs and Their People Only

Many dogs struggle with fireworks, and while we can't eliminate them completely, we can get away from the constant noise of the city for a few hours. Our goal is to give our four-legged friends some fresh air, exercise, and hopefully a little break from the nonstop fireworks many experience at home.

This Fourth of July, we'll be heading to the Las Conchas area in the Jemez Mountains for an easy, dog-friendly evening hike. This weekend I will drive up and scout the area to find the best route, making sure it is easy, dog-friendly, and has adequate parking for the group. Once I select the final route, I will update the event with the details.

For this event, the trail itself is secondary to the experience. The goal is not to conquer a difficult hike or reach a specific destination. The goal is to give our dogs a chance to stretch their legs, enjoy some fresh mountain air, and spend a few hours in what will hopefully be a much calmer environment than the city.

Please bring: 🐶 Water for you and your dog
🐶 Waste bags
🐶 A leash (required)
🐶 Headlamp or flashlight
🐶 Comfortable hiking shoes

Whether your dog gets anxious around fireworks or you simply want to spend part of Independence Day on the trail, we'd love to have you join us.

A few reminders:
• I cannot guarantee a completely firework-free experience.
• There will likely still be fireworks visible and audible during the drive home.
• As this is a holiday weekend, law enforcement will be out in extra force. Please drive safely, obey all traffic laws, and allow yourself extra travel time.

Let's trade some of the city noise for mountain air, wagging tails, and good company.

Meeting Location: Home Depot in Rio Rancho
Additional trail details will be posted after this weekend's scouting trip.

See you on the trails!