Hoover Wilderness

The Hoover Wilderness has many excellent pet furiendly trails from the crest of the Sierra Nevada bordering Yosemite National Park to the Great Basin. You and your canine companion will not be disappointed no matter which trailhead you choose as they are all furrific. The five main trailheads are Virginia Lakes, Lundy Canyon, Lakes Canyon, Saddlebag Lake, and Warren Fork Trailhead. 

The Virginia Lakes Trail is on Virginia Lakes Road, and it is a very pupular out and back trail of about eight miles long. The first four miles is easy to climb and does not become steep until the last half of the trail. You and your pooch will get your heart rate going to get to the summit, but it is worth it because of the amazing views. You will also pass by several lakes that all have excellent fishing. 

The Lundy Canyon Trail is on Lundy Canyon Road about two miles past the Lundy Lake Resort. This is a pawesome hike for you and your pooch if you just want to spend the day enjoying the beauty of nature. It is about 5.5 miles and has a lake, cascading waterfalls, a great deal of wildflowers, and plenty of wild critters running around. It gets a bit rocky in some areas, but not too difficult for an experienced hiker. 

If you and Fido just want a short and easy walk, the three-mile Lakes Canyon Trail is where you should head. On Lundy Canyon Road right by Lundy Lake, this trail takes you up the canyon between Mount Scowden and Gilcrest Peak. You will see a lot of historical artifacts left over from the mining history on your hike but remember it is against the law to remove any artifacts from any California Park. 

The Saddlebag Lakes Trailhead starts at the Saddlebag Lake Campground and Dam on Forest Road 04. The trail is an easy loop of about four miles that goes around the Saddlebag Lake. Not only will you see a lot of wildlife and flowers, but you will also have some of the greatest views of North Peak and Mount Conness. 

The shortest trail, Warren Fork, is only one and a half miles long and follows the creek in the canyon between Lee Vining Peak and Tioga Peak. This easy hike will take you and your pup on a short out and back trek through the deep woods and furrific meadows with lots of wildflowers such as monkeyflowers, Indian paintbrush flowers, Mariposa lilies, and daisies. 

There are over 128 thousand acres of wilderness to explore so you and your pooch will need to come back many times to enjoy all of it. Grab some snacks and water, your pup’s leash, and head out to the Hoover Wilderness today.