Product Description

New Jersey boasts an amazing array of hiking opportunities--for both you and your pet--with trips to mountain ridges, valleys, highlands, lakes, coastal plains, beaches, and more. In this new guidebook, Mary Jasch shares her favorite trails, from easy day hikes to overnight backpacking trips, presented through canine-centric eyes. These hikes were chosen for dog-appeal: they avoid rocky terrain and contact with livestock, offer shade and water en route, and include lakes and streams as rewards.

Advice is given on proper trail etiquette for dog owners and their pets, how to be responsible trail users, and what to pack for your pooch--the Ten Canine Essentials and a doggy first-aid kit. You'll also find helpful tips on wildlife encounters, weather concerns, and low-impact camping.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #152557 in Books
• Brand: The Mountaineers Books
• Published on: 2007-04-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 220 pages

About the Author
MARY JASCH is a freelance writer and photographer whose work has appeared in publications such as Princeton Business Journal, New Jersey Daily Herald, the Boston Globe, and The Associated Press. Her trail companions are Petey and Little One, both German shepherd mixes. They live in Augusta, New Jersey.

Customer Reviews

Hiking with a dog in New Jersey

Mary Jasch describes 52 of her favorite hikes located all over New Jersey, although the majority are north of Princeton. She writes: "Abundant opportunities to enjoy nature and escape a hectic world await people and their canine pals in New Jersey's national, state, county and township parks and forests. Some private organizations also open their lands for people and dogs to experience."

A map shows the closest walks and driving distances to major cities. Each trail description begins with information on distance, elevations, difficulty for human and dog, approximate hiking time, and best seasons. She gives directions to the hikes, local regulations, best detailed maps to use, and park contact information.

Jasch earned a BS in natural resources management, applied ecology, and she uses her training to add interesting environmental and horticultural facts. Her black and white photos add real interest to the hikes.

As a long time hiker in the metropolitan region I know that many of the organized hiking leaders do not welcome dogs. Jasch's website (search on Google for nj dog hikes ) lists a few leaders that do so. With or without such a leader, Jasch's book is a splendid guide to hiking with dogs in New Jersey.


Robert C. Ross