Barking Embarkers

It’s story time! For those who are new here, I have kept a record of Chloe’s and my adventures during our travels! I write and publish these about a year after they happen, for various reasons, but mostly per my grandma’s advice. And I don’t know about you, but you ALWAYS listen to your Grandma’s advice- they know. Here we Go! Brace yourselves, it’s time for an enticing, incredible, thrilling and heart wrenching: A Tail of Chloe Rue (I know its tale, I just can’t help it).

Our Goal

If you’re familiar with the tails of Chloe Rue and I, you know we set some pretty crazy goals together and then chase them down as furiously as a wolf. From deciding we wanted to live in a camper, to deciding we wanted to travel the United States right out of college- sometimes that stubbornness comes in handy.

Well the summer of 2020 was an uproar for most healthcare workers in the hospital or home health systems. You can read about our pandemic experience on our last blog post here. Thankfully, I made a few friends and I made one massive summer goal: my first solo backpacking trip with Chloe. Which would also happen to be my first ever backpacking trip.

Training

Chloe and I LOVE to train together. It really builds our bond and allows us to grow as a team, both mentally and physically. Now Chloe was quite used to camping and hiking already; so the jump to backpacking was not as crazy as it could have been. The toughest part was building our endurance, altitude tolerance (especially since I’m an asthmatic) and carrying heavy loads. But we also decided on hammocks for backpacking and it took some exposure for Chloe to be used to sleeping in a hammock with me.

We started hiking every weekend! Seriously, it was the BEST way to train. Chloe was exposed to all of her exciting squirrels, bunny, and deer in a controlled environment, and I got to practice carrying gear! Chloe also tried out her pack. We started with it empty, and slowly added weight- 3lbs, 5lbs and finally 7lbs (25% of her body weight is closer to 12lbs but with the added distance etc I carried her water no problem). Since she has such a narrow stature we never got her kurgo pack to fit quite right- but she did great carrying her load!

Our last hike before our trip around three fingered jack was in Utah, with one of my best friends. It was actually significantly more challenging than our 3 day weekend around Jack. 14 miles in one hot afternoon in altitudes closer to 8,000 feet! We reached the summit of Ben Lomond Peak in Utah at 9,666 feet. It was stunning, and a great way to push ourselves before the big journey!

Preparing

I am NOT a planner. As you all know well… however, Chloe and I were determined to be successful. And backpacking is definitely a task that involves planning.

First, we learned all about the 10 essentials. You know…

• Clean water

• Shelter

• Food

• Flash Light

• Navigation

• Sun protection

• Fire

• First aid

• Extra clothes

REI had some incredible information for first time backpackers and I was reading like a fiend! I also love reading blog posts and using all trails to read reviews of any hikes I’m planning to do. Feel free to read what we’ve learned about dog friendly backpacking here!

I am also really into Facebook groups. I find that so many people have SO much knowledge that they’re willing to share! It’s great to read so many perspectives. I love the women who hike Facebook group and how inspiring they are! It was a great way to prep.

Last, talk to people who backpack! Some will try to scare you away from your goal- what if you get eaten by a bear, or lose your dog in the wilderness, or fall off a cliff- I mean all are valid concerns, but with the right methods Chloe and I felt ready to face our big solo adventure.

Three Fingered Jack Backpacking Trip

It was time. Chloe and I had everything in our packs, all of our gear was set up and ready. We were both in great backpacking shape and ready for the tough altitudes. And we truly felt ready for the adventure.

We arrived to the trail head of the pacific crest trail to perform the 30 mile three fingered jack loop, going counter clock wise. Chloe was amped and ready, but naturally we got to the trail head later in the day than I had wanted.

It was HOT and I will be honest, Chloe and I do not like the heat! We made it about a mile before I noticed the trail was sand and it was hot on Chloe’s paws! Would you believe I didn’t bring her summer hiking boots? I was not prepared for the heat to be so extreme! I dug out our first aid kit and used part of our emergency blanket to wrap around her paws with regular medical ace wrap. Chloe felt MUCH happier with her make-shift boots, but I was still dying from the heat!

We arrived to square lake where it was most definitely time for an afternoon break. I was not planning on this break, but it was WELL worth it to hike according to the weather. We rested in a shady cove, jumping in the water and allowing the ground to cool before even thinking of continuing the trail.

It was naturally the longest weekend of the year that Chloe and I chose to do our hike, so we had plenty of daylight! We began once more when the ground was cool, and the sun had begun its descent behind the mountain.

Most of the first loop had fire damage, but this allowed us to see all of the lakes and views. I had planned my first night to be near a road, just in case I decided backpacking was not our jam. We arrived to a perfect camping spot at twilight. Chloe made friends with our neighbors who were an awesome group of women also backpacking for the first time! They were fun to talk to, but I was so exhausted I didn’t stick around too long for conversation.

This night was likely one of my all time favorite camping nights, ever. Chloe and I were curled up in the hammock together with our mosquito net over us. The lake was a deep black and there was a new moon- making the sky velvet with bright star diamonds apparent in the milky way, and it was reflecting off the lake next to our camp. It truly looked like a world of diamonds as I fell asleep, with three fingered jack, the ancient volcano watching over us.

The next day was the saddle day. Chloe and I woke up to the sunrise, ready for another 8 miles of backpacking! If I were to do this hike again- which I probably will when it opens up after the 2020 wildfires- I would camp at the saddle. I HIGHY recommend camping at the saddle of three fingered jack. It truly has to be one of the most stunning sunrises! On that day a year ago,, Chloe and I didn’t even know that a mountain saddle had nothing to do with horses- so we didn’t know that little tip. I figured I’d share with all of you. ♡ (p.s. in mountain-speech, a saddle is the low point between two peaks. Similar to a horse saddle, but it’s an actual landform! And you still have to ascend a mountain to get to it.)

We made it up to the melting glacier at the saddle of three fingered jack and Chloe had a blast playing with another dog friend in the snow! Many folks were ascending the mountain this way and leaving their packs behind; but Chloe and I still had a solid 8 miles to go this day! We enjoyed our time, and then turned around to climb as close to the top of three fingered jack as possible without technical climbing.

We did find a river that made a perfect rest stop over the heat of the day- don’t worry, Chloe’s paws are my top priority. We actually took a long nap in the shade. It was wonderful.

The hardest part of the entire backpacking trip occured once we reached the pacific crest trail part of the loop. We gathered as much water as possible at the last lake we’d see that day, and began our incessant uphill ascent. (Chloe and I went through almost two gallons a day. We truly aren’t made for summers.)

This part was extra fun once we could actually see Jack in all his fingers. Chloe was off leash at this point, and I would occasionally carry her pack in my hand to lighten her load. She was not wasting her energy running about, that smart girl. She walked ahead of me, scouting the incredible views.

We made it to the peak (as close as we could without bouldering) before sunset and WOW this was a view to behold! I don’t know if I can put into words, the mixture of fatigue, yet the high energy of accomplishing something so incredible. Chloe could sense it, and that’s where we enjoyed our dinner. We continued our hike down the mountain for a total of 10 miles on day two. There was snow-run off where we camped, in a hollow behind a well sheltered rock.

I’ve told this story in a previous post, but this is the moment when we realized we had stolen the sleeping spot of a majestic creature. Chloe and I were curled up in the hammock, keeping our eyes open as twilight fell. I heard a whistling noise, and assumed it was a fellow hiker making their way to their camping spot. This was until everything: the crickets, the birds, the wind, the entire forest became completely and utterly still. Chloe didn’t growl, but her hackles raised and she crawled into my arms in 50 pounds of pure terror. I had my favorite form of defense in my hand immediately but it was AWKWARD. Hammock underneath me, a 50 pound lap dog in one arm while the other was prepared to defend us. The silence was deafening, and I was nearly positive we were about to be attacked by a bear. And there it was. On the left of the hammock in the deepening night, I finally caught sight of the shining white coat. A bright horn evident, this creature stood about 10 yards away from Chloe and I. I decided to yell at the unicorn (or mountain goat, whichever imagination you wish to use today), and Chloe still did not make a sound or movement to defend me. My words did the job and the goat unicorn scurried away, allowing us to steal its camping spot for the night.

Finally, it was our last day on the hike. Now people who through hike, who spend days in the woods- you all know the smell I’m talking about. The sweat that doesn’t come off in a freezing river and the muscle aches that are deeper than you realized you even had. But that final day was the day you’d get to go home and rest on an actual mattress- and if that’s not motivation, I’m not sure what is.

Chloe and I began at sunrise once more with the goal of reaching our truck before the heat of the day struck. We hiked quickly, taking a sideways path to fill our waters and jump in the lake to aid with the smelly smells before we continued downhill. The weather was much more tolerable, and Chloe was prancing ahead happily, free of her leash for the most part. The pacific crest trail had more people at its beginning- perhaps there is another hike in the area- and Chloe had the brightest moment of giving a baby kisses. She loves babies. I was racing back to the truck, and we were indeed successful- from 5am to 10am, we made it all the way back to the truck. The first thing I did, was take a shower and a nap. Of course, there is no joy greater than relishing in the huge accomplishment that is meeting a goal.. Chloe and I backpacked alone for the first time, ever. Trust me, there will be plenty more backpacking adventures in our wonderful future.

Are you hoping to backpack with your dog some day? Or perhaps you’re wondering about three fingered jack and how the trail was? Either way, I do highly recommend this trail and to bring dog booties and plenty of water and filter systems! We had a complete blast, and savored the amazing views. I hope you all found some inspiration with this read! Have some happy tails and happy trails this week♡

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You can also ALWAYS reach out with questions by emailing us at barkingembarkers@gmail.com.