good off leash hikes?

[peter303]

Generally just a couple of the parks like Rocky National and Brainard have a low of ticket-happy rangers hiking around.

[davebks]

For most of the responses, thanks for the info. I saw a few good ones in there.
I havent been to Coulson yet but it is on my list.

As for Boulder's policies, yes, I have been spoiled for sure. I have hiked the Colorado trails for YEARS but never had a dog until last year.
Putting aside people's needs to tell me to be a good dog owner, I would like some more trail recommendations if possible.

I have an aussie, hes very well trained, we've hiked 100's of miles already and hes great out there. I do clean up my poop and carry it, he loves other dogs, he is not going to eat you, or your kids, or your dog, etc. Does that cover all your issues???

Putting that aside I like the flatirons stuff but like to get out deeper into the woods with him. I was shocked to hear Rollins Pass was on leash. I swear I have seen dogs there all the time off leash but when I called the ranger said its on leash. All the trails I have hiked I always did without a dog so I never paid attention to whether they could be up there or off leash. Now I have to look back and re-research all these places. What a pain.

Anyway, more suggestions please!!! Thanks!!!!

[napierjohn]

I have a trip to Colorado planned in a few weeks w my dog. We will be in the Pine and Isabel National Forest. National forests (at least in Colorado) have voice control and don't require a leash. Some of the forests overlaps w Wilderness areas (which are all on-leash) but not where I plan to be. We will climb Mt. Princeton, Mt. Antero, Mt Tabegoucha, and Mt. Shavano. All 4 are very close to each other and are class 2 - perfect for a dog. We will acclimate a few days on the Colorado Trail just east of those mountains. The whole trip is legally off leash!!

Though I live in Kentucky and most parks are leashed, I have been running w my dogs off leash everywhere for the last 12 years 2-3 times a week for 4-5 miles per run. My dogs don't look menacing and are very friendly. I find that most people don't care and I get lots of smiles and thumbs up. About once a year someone (always a female) will holler 'leash law!' . 'KillJoy' is what I think as I run past them. No need to apologize or argue. My reasoning is that your 1 encounter or your personal issues should not trump the joy, exercise, and expansion of life my dogs get. As for those who's leashed dog goes nuts when a dog approaches - well, they likely go nuts when a leashed dog approaches. Yes, some abused dogs can't be socialized, but for the most part, the blame lies on the owner who didn't socialize them.

I agree there are many irresponsible owners who ruin it, but that is not me. I did the work. The few people who have said something to me are the tail trying to wag the dog.

[bigredmachine]

Unless your dog is so well trained (and 99% aren't) that it won't get in another dog's bubble then leave the leash on. It's not all about your dog, it's the other dog's out there, but n which the owner has them all na leash for a reason. Some leashed dogs are friendly as can be as long as another dog is not invading their space. I've seen too many times an off leash dog getting bit, or some sort of fight because an unleashed dog got too close. You're just asking for trouble...and as others have already said, there are plenty of people out there that have no issue whatsoever putting their size 12 boot directly into the ribs of your unleashed dog.

[bigredmachine]

I have a trip to Colorado planned in a few weeks w my dog. We will be in the Pine and Isabel National Forest. National forests (at least in Colorado) have voice control and don't require a leash. Some of the forests overlaps w Wilderness areas (which are all on-leash) but not where I plan to be. We will climb Mt. Princeton, Mt. Antero, Mt Tabegoucha, and Mt. Shavano. All 4 are very close to each other and are class 2 - perfect for a dog. We will acclimate a few days on the Colorado Trail just east of those mountains. The whole trip is legally off leash!!

Though I live in Kentucky and most parks are leashed, I have been running w my dogs off leash everywhere for the last 12 years 2-3 times a week for 4-5 miles per run. My dogs don't look menacing and are very friendly. I find that most people don't care and I get lots of smiles and thumbs up. About once a year someone (always a female) will holler 'leash law!' . 'KillJoy' is what I think as I run past them. No need to apologize or argue. My reasoning is that your 1 encounter or your personal issues should not trump the joy, exercise, and expansion of life my dogs get. As for those who's leashed dog goes nuts when a dog approaches - well, they likely go nuts when a leashed dog approaches. Yes, some abused dogs can't be socialized, but for the most part, the blame lies on the owner who didn't socialize them.

I agree there are many irresponsible owners who ruin it, but that is not me. I did the work. The few people who have said something to me are the tail trying to wag the dog.

Of course the rules don't apply to you

[linkingxi]

I have a trip to Colorado planned in a few weeks w my dog. We will be in the Pine and Isabel National Forest. National forests (at least in Colorado) have voice control and don't require a leash. Some of the forests overlaps w Wilderness areas (which are all on-leash) but not where I plan to be. We will climb Mt. Princeton, Mt. Antero, Mt Tabegoucha, and Mt. Shavano. All 4 are very close to each other and are class 2 - perfect for a dog. We will acclimate a few days on the Colorado Trail just east of those mountains. The whole trip is legally off leash!!

Though I live in Kentucky and most parks are leashed, I have been running w my dogs off leash everywhere for the last 12 years 2-3 times a week for 4-5 miles per run. My dogs don't look menacing and are very friendly. I find that most people don't care and I get lots of smiles and thumbs up. About once a year someone (always a female) will holler 'leash law!' . 'KillJoy' is what I think as I run past them. No need to apologize or argue. My reasoning is that your 1 encounter or your personal issues should not trump the joy, exercise, and expansion of life my dogs get. As for those who's leashed dog goes nuts when a dog approaches - well, they likely go nuts when a leashed dog approaches. Yes, some abused dogs can't be socialized, but for the most part, the blame lies on the owner who didn't socialize them.

I agree there are many irresponsible owners who ruin it, but that is not me. I did the work. The few people who have said something to me are the tail trying to wag the dog.

Why don't you just stay in Kentucky then? Seems like Kentuckians appreciate your rule breaking spirits more

[letitbeirie]

Man what a blast from the past the first page of this thread is - pre-instagram, pre-permits, pre-crowds (mostly)...

Unfortunately every outdoor feature worth looking at that's been posted about on the internet since then has been loved to death and/or closure. Off-leash hikes have been especially affected by this so at this point they're kinda like powder caches and caves, unfortunately: IYKYK.

[Ryan P]

LOL'ing at how much attention the bots get by necro'ing a 14 year old thread

[Fast Jimm]

LOL'ing at how much attention the bots get by necro'ing a 14 year old thread

True that for certain. Still, I'd like to add the following: Leash your dogs where required you entitled twits. Neither they, nor you, are special and if this angers you, seek treatment and a local dog park.