High Grade

Do you and your pup have pioneering spirits and like some fresh mountain air? If the answer is yes, then the High Grade National Recreational Trail in California should be on your list of must hikes. The trailhead is not the easiest to find, so taking a GPS with you or having a navigational app on your cell phone is a good idea. Drive along Highgrade Road from New Pine Creek which is the closest urban area. When the road comes to an end, you'll need to tackle the un-asphalted forest road 2 before you find the parking spot which is a quarter of a mile from where the trail starts.

This is a remote and isolated hike, but that doesn't mean your pup can be let loose. The environment is pretty wild, and unless your dog has the genes of a wolf, they'll be much safer on their leash. The first section of the hike will take you and your pup through a forested area, but once you've passed that, there's no more shade and you'll be exposed to whatever the weather decides to throw at you, so be prepared for all eventualities. Take adequate food and water for you and your fur buddy as you won't encounter anything along the way. Don't forget to pack some clean up bags in your backpack; you'll be needing those too.

Once you and your pup exit the wooded area, get ready for some stunning views. The trail leads around the base of Mount Vida in the Warner Mountain Range, and even though it doesn't go to the top of the peak, be prepared to put in some serious legwork as there are some steep inclines. You'll be suitably rewarded for your effort by the mountain vistas which stretch as far as Oregon and Nevada. There are some steep descents to tackle too when the trail drops down into Mill Creek Basin before it peters out on the way back. Have a paw-some adventure with your tough outdoors pup on this pawtastic trail!