Napa Hiking with YOUR ...

Furry Best Friend By Kathleen Reynolds

If your dog knows the word “walk,” then you know the word results in crazy canine excitement, including rushing the door, sans-leash, and knocking down anyone in the path.

There’s no doubt that hiking is good for both walkers and canines. In an article for HelpGuide.org, John Woods (founder and editor-in-chief of the website AllThingsDog.com) writes that walking and hiking increase physical fitness for both, promote better mental health, improve sleep and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

More dogs than ever are obese from overfeeding and not enough activity. Daily walks can combat this for both your dog and you. If your hike involves more than a short neighborhood jaunt, several precautions should be taken, according to Kristen Arendt, author of The Ultimate Guide to Hiking with Dogs (Be.Chewy.com). “Carry enough food and water for both you and your dog,” writes Arendt. “You should also carry extra layers, sun protection and…always carry a phone, even if reception is poor. The essentials for your dog include plenty of water, small treats, poop bags, a leash or harness and a collar with ID tags.”

For hiking enthusiasts, Napa boasts several dog friendly trails, both easy and challenging.

The City of Napa has 54 parks that cover 800 acres of park land. Dogs on leash are allowed in all City Parks and on public trails. They are prohibited in any park playground or tot lot. For information on any Napa city park, call (707) 257-9529.

Dogs are allowed off leash under voice control at Alston Park, Shurtleff Park and Kennedy Park (in undeveloped areas only).

Alston Park

2037 Dry Creek Road in Napa is a 157-acre park with three miles of easy trails, along with over 30 acres of designated off-leash Canine Commons for dogs under voice control. Please exercise caution as coyotes and rattlesnakes have been seen in these off-leash areas and seasonal foxtail weeds are plentiful. There are nice views of the City of Napa and vineyards from the top of the Alston Park Loop, a 2.7-mile trail. Poop bags and trash cans are available at the entrance. Know that it can be crowded on mid-day summer weekends and get muddy on rainy days.

Shurtleff Park

1238 Shelter Avenue in Napa allows off-leash dogs in the park. This unfenced, spacious neighborhood park is next to a school and has two small wet-weather creeks running through it. There is also a short, on-leash loop located towards the back of the park. Good panoramic views.

Westwood Hills Park Loop

3107 Browns Valley Road in Napa offers 3 miles of trails with easy to moderate difficulty. The West Hills Trail is a loop which follows the perimeter of the park and takes you through oak groves and meadows. All of the trails lead back to one another. There are good views of the valley and the city of Napa and benches along the trail. Deer and other wildlife are frequently spotted here. Beware of poison oak.

Stanly Lane and San Francisco Bay Trail

1224 Stanly Lane in Napa is an easy 2.6-mile hike. A section of the San Francisco Bay Trail, it begins at Stanly Lane, south of the Carneros Highway, and parallels Stanly Ranch. Parking is at the north end of the trail. Much of this trail is paved and leads you through eucalyptus trees and vineyards.

Oxbow Preserve Loop

At 1028 McKenzie Drive in Napa, the trail is less than a mile long and easy. Most of it is paved except a short, unpaved portion heading toward the oxbow in the river. It is a wooded walk with river views and close to the CIA Copia and Oxbow Market. Be wary of foxtails.

Trancas Crossing Park Loop

610 Trancas Street in Napa is a short, easy, paved walk along the Napa River and Salvador Creek. This park has historical significance as the site of Native American settlements, an important landing area during Mexico’s rule of California, a diversion dam and major river crossing. The park is tucked into a niche behind the Chevron Gas Station and has a small parking lot.

Napa Valley Vine Trail/ Napa River Trail

3291 Streblow Drive (south of Trancas Crossing Park), the hike runs from Kennedy Park to Trancas Street, an easy 4.3-mile, paved walk. The Napa Valley Vine Trail will someday run from the Vallejo Ferry to Calistoga and several stretches of it have already been completed, including Napa to Yountville. During peak hours, the trail can be busy with cyclists, so keep watch for them.

The City of Napa considers itself a pet friendly community. They remind community members of the following, which are excellent etiquette points in any walking/hiking experience:

•  Dog owners are responsible for picking up after their dogs.

•  Dogs must have required vaccinations.

•  Dogs must be licensed.

•  No more than five dogs per owner/guardian in any off-leash area.

Now that we’re in the summer months, we also should remember some simple, common-sense rules for walking your pet. Think about the walking surface, hot pavement can burn a dog’s paws. If you can’t hold your hand on it for 10 seconds, it’s too hot. Before heading out on longer or more strenuous hikes, be sure to have water and a bowl for your pup and do not let them drink from unfiltered water sources, such as ponds. Always carry plastic waste bags.

There are a few preparations to be made before setting off. Dogs can be as out of shape as we are. First, make sure your dog is in hiking condition. Check with your veterinarian, as health, age and type of dog (flat-faced breeds are at higher risk of heatstroke) should be taken into consideration. Then, build up your stamina over time to ensure that both of you can take steep areas or prolonged walking. Make sure the hike has shade as dogs can overheat faster than humans. Gauge your animal’s personality as different temperaments may cause aggressive behavior around other dogs, hikers and cyclists, so choose a trail outside of peak times.

It can’t be stated too often: carry water. When the hike is complete, let your pet rehydrate and cool off. Check for and remove ticks.

After the hike, you and your pooch might want to grab a pick-me-up libation or snack. Most wineries, tasting rooms, restaurants and breweries with outdoor seating welcome canines. Many provide water bowls, some have dog-friendly menus, and a few have “Yappy Hours” listed on their events calendar.

These businesses include Hop Creek Pub, Napa Yard, Fieldworks, the River Deck at Oxbow, ALBA at the River Terrace Inn, Angèle, Downtown Joe’s, Fume, Filippi’s, Outer Space Wines and Gott’s Roadside.

If these outings sound like fun, you’re well on your way to combining exercise with mental stimulation for you and your best friend.

Now, get out there and take a hike!