Idaho Statesman

April 03, 2008

Foothills provide close-to-home activity for pooches and people

Taking your pooch outdoors can be a lot of fun if you think about safety and other trail users

Idahoans like to hike, run and mountain bike with their dogs.

It’s a dog’s world out there, and about three out of 10 trail users have dogs.

And, there are plenty of places to go because the Ridge to Rivers Trail System maintains more than 100 miles of trails in the Foothills.

That’s a lot of miles for you and your dog.

Read on for tips for enjoying your hound outdoors and for going easy on the trails.

Annie Chalfant walked along the trail behind Camels Back Park with her dog Tons.

Both were having Tons of Joy. By the way, that’s Tons’ full name.

Over on the side of Camels Back Park, Jessica Ekegren was throwing a Frisbee for Layla, her boyfriend’s dog. She just got done with a Foothills run.

“She likes to hike, swim and play Frisbee,” Ekegren said. “They’re great companions on runs.”

It’s a dog’s world in the outdoors with 95 percent of the 126 miles of Foothills trails being off-leash.

Chalfant summed it up best: “What’s a day without either — dogs and the outdoors?”

Cool dog trails

The secret of enjoying your dog in the Foothills is to get away from some of the more congested areas. Try some of these places:

- Rocky Canyon — Trails off Rocky Canyon Road. It takes a little more driving to get to the end of pavement, but it’s worth it.

Check out Shane’s Trail, Three Bears, or the 5-Mile Trail-Orchard Gulch loop.

- Table Rock — The trail system around Table Rock offers less crowds on certain days. The steep climb — 900 feet in 1.6 miles — weeds out a lot of folks. Access the trails from the Old Idaho Penitentiary or from across Warm Springs Avenue from the Warm Springs Golf Course.

- Military Reserve — Trails in the reserve can get hammered by runners and dogs not following the rules, especially in muddy conditions.

If you want to leave a light footprint, do your walking or running on Mountain Cove Road in the reserve.

One thing to remember: There is vehicle traffic on the road so keep your dog leashed or under control.

- West Foothills — The Big Springs Loop, which is located between Dry Creek Cemetery and Big Springs Boulevard. You’ll have to drive out Hill Road or Horseshoe Bend Road to get there but it has fewer people and pooches.

But, it is ideal rolling hills terrain and open country so you can keep an eye on your dogs.

- See the updated Ridge to Rivers Trail Map for details, or www.ridgetorivers.

Dog etiquette

Being considerate

- De-poop your dog in your yard before going to the trailhead. This will save you the hassle of picking up after your dog on the trail and keep trailheads cleaner.

- If your dog does do it on the trail, simply use a plastic grocery bag to pick up the mess. Bag dispensers are located at trailheads. You must carry a leash and waste bag at all times on the trails.

- Loose dogs can scare or injure other trail users. Keep your dog under control.

- If you are on the trail in an off-leash area and see mountain bikers or hikers approaching, step off trail with your dog and let other users pass.

- Keep a close eye on your dog at all times. Uncontrollable dogs also can chase wildlife, which is illegal.

- Don’t use trails if they are muddy or wet.

Requirements

- Five percent of Foothills trails are on-leash areas, with the remainder off-leash. Off-leash means that dog owners must have a leash with them at all times, and their dogs must be under voice command and no farther than 30 feet away.

- Dogs must be leashed on all trails during critical winter months from Jan. 1 to April 15.

- Failure to obey leash laws could result in a $25 fine.

- Dogs should not be allowed to dig holes along the trail or dig up vegetation and rare plants.

- See www.ridgetorivers.org for more tips on dog etiquette.

General tips

- Make sure your dog has identification in case it gets lost. It is best to have your cell phone number on the tag so you can get a call immediately in case your dog is found.

- Keep your vet’s phone number and the phone number and address of a local emergency clinic in your wallet or PDA in case the dog is injured.

- Make sure your dog is up on its shots. You’ll meet other dogs on the trail.

- Dogs have to get into shape just like people when it comes to running on trails. Don’t run your dogs too hard after a winter of being couch pooches.

- Rocky terrain can be rough on a dog’s pads, especially if the dog hasn’t run on trails.

It takes a while for a dog’s pads to roughen up with callouses. Go easy at first and keep checking your dog’s paws. You might try dog booties if your dog’s pads are tender.

- After an outing, check your dog for ticks or for any any cheatgrass, burrs or foxtails that might end up in its coat. Also, look closely in its ears, nose, between the toes and in some of those private places for cheatgrass. First-aid

- Take along some first-aid gear for your dog. The Sierra Club suggests antibiotic cream, Vet Wrap bandage tape (which sticks to itself but not hair or skin), and tweezers or multi-pliers for removing thorns or heaven forbid, porcupine quills. Bring along an old sock in case a paw is injured.

A disposable razor is handy for shaving fur from around a wound.

For more information on a dog first-aid kit to keep in your car, see www.peteducation.com.

Doggie packs

- A dog can carry its own water and first-aid kit in a doggie pack. Dogs can carry about a third of their weight. Go easy at first when using a pack. You might just fill it with a wad of newspapers to get the dog used to the pack. Dogs and water

- Trail dogs need a lot of water.

Ponds and creeks and other standing water can have bacteria that can make a dog sick.

That’s why it is best to carry water for your pooch. You can have the dog carry its own water in a doggie pack.

- It is best to have some kind of container for a dog to drink from because just pouring the water on the lawn in a park can be dangerous. There can be weed killers, insecticides or other chemical runoff on the ground.

Dog dehydration

Here are some pointers from Handi-Drink about dog dehydration:

- If a pet is dehydrated, its skin loses its elasticity.

If the skin on the neck doesn’t release back to original spot as soon as you let go, that is a sign that the pet is under-hydrated.

- Checking your pet’s gum line also can be a clue to dehydration.

If the gums look drier than normal and are a bit discolored, that is a strong indication of under-hydration.

- Excessive and sometimes uncontrollable panting can mean a dog is overheated and on the way to becoming dehydrated.

Several ounces of cool water can help bring things back to normal.

The Sierra Club suggests that if your dog is running from shady spot to shady spot, panting excessively or becoming red in the gums, stop and cool it down.

Gently pour water on the stomach and groin area to cool it down. - Keep your dog on a leash at the trailhead, in the parking lot or on the first part of the trail, even in off-leash areas. That’s where you’ll meet more hikers and dogs.

Boise Foothills Development Plan Concerns Residents Boise, Idaho -- A proposal for development in the Boise foothills is expected to set a precedent. It will help determine just how much housing density is allowed in the area.  The Aase's Canyon Foothills Development will test Boise City's Foothills Policy Plan. The plan was created to protect the foothills environment but leaves open just how much new housing is allowed. Developers are proposing to build more than 150 houses along the ridgelines of the foothills located between Plano Lane and Collister Road. Residents in the area are unhappy. "There is a number of deer, that live up in the area they propose to build on, as well as foxes badgers coyotes, as well as birds of prey including peregrine, red tailed hawk, and great horned owls," said Stephanie Bacon, a foothills resident. "We have a lot of concern for safety for people that use Hill Road -- children, bikers people driving," said Brent Smith, another foothills resident. The Asse's development would increase traffic by 1,500 car trips daily. Plus, the proposal tests the limits of a plan enacted in 1997 to protect the region's environment. "I think this is a really important test case for the foothills ordinance to see if it can function the way it was intended to function," said Bacon. Under the plan, the Plano Road area was approved for some construction. A base of one house per 40 acres was set, with density credits allowed for environmentally friendly practices. Stewart Land Group, who represents the developers, says they're trying to honor the spirit of that law. "We've worked with Boise City Planning and Zoning for the last 2.5 years to make this fit the foothills ordinance," said Kerry Win, with the Stewart Land Group. They plan to improve wetlands and riparian area, protect rare vegetables and keep open space.They've also conducted traffic studies that they feel show the area can handle the growth. Soon it will be up to the public and officials to decide the issue "ACHD is really looking closely at this proposal. We know there is concern from residents. We're taking out time in making a report to give to our commissioners so they have all the info. they need in making a recommendation to the city," said Robbie Johnson, an Ada County Highway Department spokesperson. Once the recommendation is made and developers finish the application process, public hearings on the project will begin. Stewart Land Group says they expect to go before planning and zoning for a public hearing in early April. They want to make it clear to area homeowners that the house they plan to build won't be very visible on the hillside.

Idaho Statesman

March 21, 2008

Five things to do with your kids during spring break

Why not do it with them?

Here are five ways you can have fun with your kids right here in the Treasure Valley.

GET OUT THE BIKES

Been itching to get the bicycle out of the garage and get on the road again? Spring break is a perfect time.

Not only can you teach your children some simple tips on bike care and maintenance, but you can hit the road with them on a number of in-town adventures.

Whether you run errands together or hit the Greenbelt for a pleasure ride, your kids will jump at the chance to go riding somewhere outside the neighborhood.

EXPLORE THE WORLD

The Discovery Center of Idaho (131 Myrtle St., Boise, 343-9895) is one of those rare museums where your children won't get in trouble for talking or touching.

In fact, kids are encouraged to put their hands on the science center's interactive exhibits.

The center's current featured exhibit is "Mapping," which explores maps and mapmaking from the ancient times to the present.

TAKE A HIKE

Spring is officially here, and the lower Boise Foothills are mostly free of snow. On a warm, dry day, the Foothills are a great place to take the kids for an easy hike.

The Ridge to Rivers trail system, which includes the Foothills, is an extensive network of multi-use trails accessible in and around Boise. You can purchase a Ridge to Rivers map at a local outdoor or bike shop.

UNDER THE BIG TOP

If your kids were wowed by the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus, they'll be in for a real treat with "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy."

Similar to the "new circus" Vegas staple Cirque du Soleil, "Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" tells a narrative story through the visual artistry of aerialists, contortionists and other performers.

"Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy" will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 25 and 26, at the Morrison Center for the Performing Arts, 2201 Cesar Chavez Lane, Boise. Tickets are $29.50-$47. Call 426-1609.

LAST CHANCE TO SKI?

With the arrival of spring, ski bums are dealing with the big bummer that is the end of the ski season.

Don't call it over quite yet; there's still powder to shred at Bogus Basin, and during spring break you can even catch a bus up to the mountain.

Bogus is offering daily bus rides from Caldwell (8 a.m.), Nampa (8:15 a.m.), Meridian (8:30 a.m.) and Boise (9 a.m.) March 24-28. The cost is $7 one way and $12 round trip. See the Bogus Basin Web site, www.bogusbasin.org, for more details.

Chad Dryden: 672-6734

Idaho Statesman

March 15, 2008

P&Z votes to approve Cartwright Ranch

The 584-home, 680-acre proposed development is along Cartwright Road south of Dry Creek Road adjacent to Hidden Springs planned community.

Commissioners Steve Edgar and David Hayes voted against the development.

The application now goes to the Ada County Commission. A date has not yet been set.

T-shirts are in, get yours while they last !

Spring Hike a huge success!

Listen to what residents are saying about the Hillside to the Hollow open space area: