Dog Walkers Update

 Things are happening in the dog walkers' world!

   "He cannot be a gentleman who loveth not a dog."

·        The "Mutt Strutt" is coming! The seventh annual Peninsula Humane Society's "Mutt Strutt" will be held Sunday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Coyote Point Park. It is the one day of the year you may bring your dog to this park. Registration prior to the event is $26 per person and on the day of the event $30 per person (one dog to a person). You may also form a "Wag Team" of three people by each collecting $125 in pledges from friends, family, and co-workers; then your admission is free. Come for T-shirts, dog bandannas, food, prizes, and canine demonstrations and contests. Dogs may compete in "Look Alike," "Best Talent," and "Best Howler" contests. Proceeds benefit the Peninsula Humane Society shelter animals. For more information, call 650-340-7022, ext. 709 or check the Web site: www.muttstrutt.org

·        Dogs are no longer welcome at the Stanford Dish. The once "informal" hiking at the Dish is now highly controlled as the Stanford University Academic Preserve. Dogs are no longer allowed. Nor are bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards. You may not picnic or drink alcohol. And you are not allowed to hunt or fish, smoke or build fires. What's more, you must hike only on designated routes (asphalt paths) and only between 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. from April through October and from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through March. The four gates (Stanford Avenue, Frenchman's, Gerona's, and Alpine) are manned, and the trails are patrolled. The trailhead monitor assured me that hiking is better than ever. I'll try it soon and let you know.

·        Recent additions to the list of dog walks:

1)      Coyote Hills Regional Park, Newark - Most of the trails at Coyote Hills are dog-friendly with leash attached. The Bay View Trail is a good loop trail on which to sample the park.

2)      Bay Trail, Redwood Shores - From Radio Road to the San Carlos Airport, this levee walk features good views along the saltwater marsh any time of the day.

·        Old Favorites:

1)      Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve, San Carlos - There are three miles of on-leash trails plus a bonus 16-acre parcel in the center of the preserve where dogs may run off-leash.

2)      Bair Island, Redwood City - At the foot of Whipple Avenue is a three-mile loop that is a local favorite for Peninsula dog walkers. Leashes are not required, but this may change since the area is now under the jurisdiction of the Don Edwards San Francisco Wildlife Refuge.

3)      Sweeney Ridge, San Bruno - From the end of Sneath Lane, an asphalt road winds up to the discovery site where explorer Gasper de Portola took the first recorded look at the San Francisco Bay in 1759.

4)      Coal Creek, Portola Valley - For leashed dogs only, sample the five miles of trails with good views and shady trails.

5)      Windy Hill, Portola Valley - Several trails are available, including the Anniversary Trail with great views of the entire Bay Area.

6)      Water Dog Lake, Belmont - A popular local choice, about two miles round trip, but you can extend into the john S., Brooks Memorial Open Space Preserve.

7)      Eaton Park-Big Canyon Trail, San Carlos - A popular "in-town" 2.2-mile ramble above Brittan Avenue. Good views with a moderate elevation gain.

·        For more, check our Web site: www.weeklywalker.com Click to "Walks by Interest" and then to "Dog Walks."

·        AND DON'T FORGET:

1)      Follow the rules.

2)      Clean up after your dog.

3)      Use a leash when required.

4)      Keep your dog under control at all times.

            Your comments and hiking suggestions are always welcome.

E-mail to: trekertom@aol.com.

Footnote: Check out the Weekly Walker Web site at www.weeklywalker.com.