Corona Arch Trail w/Dogs?

[slo3933]

Hi all,

In a couple of weeks I'll be hopefully hitting several places in UT on the way back to Michigan from Las Vegas, including Moab!!  I'll have my two dogs - a 1 1/2 yr old lab mix and a 2 yr old australian shepherd - both very athletic (frisbee dogs ) and I see that some of the trails around Moab will allow my furry buddies to hike along with me.  My question is...is the Corona Arch trail suitable for dogs?  If not, does anyone have other trails around the area that would be more suitable for my four legged adventurers?

Thanks,

Stacey, Yukon and Mira

[rooster]

Stacey, Yukon and Mira,

One of the things I've learned hiking around Moab with my dog is that I should avoid slickrock trails as much as possible. The sandstone rock acts like sandpaper on your dog's pads and they will start limping at some point on your hike if you're out long enough. Their pads just get worn down and tender very quickly. As I remember, Corona has some slikcrock plus a ladder you have to climb up!

Two fabulous trails to hike with your furry buddies are Hunters Canyon and Negro Bill Canyon. They offer soft sandy trails with water for your dogs to play in along the way! I also remember the Fisher Towers trail being a unique little trail with weird rock formations and dog friendly trails.

Have fun and be sure to bring plenty of water for yourself and the pups.

Rooster.

[slo3933]

Thanks for the reply!!  We just left Moab on Tuesday morning (begrudgingly) and got home late last night. 

We did end up hiking Corona Arch, but only made it to the part with the safety chains right before the ladder because my lab was too scared to climb up the face there - my aussie on the other hand was like a little mountain goat and ran right up it!!  Later in the day we hiked Negro Bill Canyon which as you said was much better for the pups...they (especially Yukon the lab mix) had a ball with the water and sand...Mira magically turned from a blue merle aussie to a red dog in the span of a few hours   I actually like Negro Bill alot as well - there were only 2-3 other people I saw on the trail and it was quiet and really pretty - I would definitely hike it again. 

I was really worried about their pads on the rock so I started doing Tuff Foot ASAP when I found out I was going, I kept an eye on them the whole time and didn't have any problems - their knowledge of cacti however could use some work - I don't know how many pokers I pulled out of Yukon!!!

What a great area (I spent a day in Moab and a day in Blanding) - next time I'll hopefully have more time to enjoy it!!

Stacey, Yukon and Mira