At this time of year, getting to trailheads should be all about driving until blocked by snow and then walking the rest of the way to the trail. Not so this year. We had a pitiful snow season that does not bode well for fire season, but it does make it easier to get out.
Well, mostly. The road is in bad shape. The early spring storms created huge trenches that are a little sketchy. So much so that I wanted HOS to go with me the first time I tried them just in case I got stuck. We took the opportunity to take the dogs to Lake Lillian.
Turns out the road wasn't as bad as it looked and the trail to the lake was in decent enough shape. Tilly did great and actually caught a treat thrown to her for the first time. She needs to work on her technique, but baby steps.
We returned the next day sans the little one. The goal was to get up into the Ramparts and that would be a bit much for her little legs. (She got a quick run around the block before we left.)
The road seemed even less an issue and the trail was just as good. The Gully of Doom was no big deal and without the usual snow it was easy to cruise to the top. Big views and blue skies for us big kids.
If I put aside the concerns about lack of snow, it was a great couple of days. Tilly's getting stronger and Tink seems to enjoy (or at least tolerate) her company on our trips. Don't worry. I make it a point to give Tink lots of attention at home so she knows she's not being forgotten. Trips like this help. I think. Or maybe she doesn't really notice anything. She is, after all, a dog.
