After my friend and I hiked Mystery Lake, we decided to hike the Dog Mountain trail. I had never hiked Dog Mountain before, and while my friend has snowshoed up Dog Mountain, he had never hiked it when there wasn't snow, so it was a new experience for him. Once again the trail was marked as "easy", but it was far from it. While "only" a 5km round trip, the trail was NOT easy. (Length of trail does not dictate the difficulty, in my opinion.)
The first 15 minutes or so of the trail are deceptively easy -- smooth, flat ground that is suitable for all abilities. A literal walk in the park. But shortly before getting to First Lake (which is at the 1km mark), there are some inclines and roots and rocks, which, while not difficult for an experienced hiker, someone with mobility issues would likely have to turn back at this point.
From First Lake to the peak of Dog Mountain, it's another 1.5km. Not a far distance, but it took us about an hour just to hike from First Lake to the peak, as the terrain was quite a challenge. There were a lot of inclines, and we had to do a lot of scrambling over rocks and roots (while on the inclines) as well as walk along several logs crossing over creeks. Not impossible by any means, but not easy. Definitely not appropriate for someone's first hike.
To add to the difficulty of the terrain, I am only five feet tall, so hiking is a lot more difficult for me than for a taller person, as I can't just step down or step over a log/rock/root, as my legs are shorter. My inability to easily step down or over something has nothing to do with my ability, but with my physical stature, and due to this, it puts a lot of pressure on my knees, and it just takes me longer to complete a hike. (I really need to invest in hiking poles!)
While a taller person can just step over something, I have to scramble on all fours, or instead of just stepping down from a rock, I will have to step sideways or, like a toddler, sit down and then scoot down on my butt, in order to avoid falling and twisting my ankle. So because of the terrain and my height, the hike was slow going, and the entire hike, there and back (including a brief 15 minute stop at the top for a snack and photos) took about 3 hours, while the website and signs, which must have been written by a 6'5" man, says it is an easy two hour hike (NOT TRUE!).
All in all it was a fun and challenging hike, and there was a lovely view at the top, but it it is NOT easy, and people with mobility issues would not be able to complete it. Walking to First Lake and back would make a nice little hike for a beginner hiker, though. My friend, who had only snowshoed up Dog Mountain, was surprised at the terrain -- covered in snow, he wasn't aware of all the roots and rocks.
Things to note: there were fewer bugs than on the Mystery Lake trail, and dogs are allowed, although they must be on a leash.
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