{"id":8436,"date":"2023-04-10T06:37:42","date_gmt":"2023-04-10T13:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/?p=8436"},"modified":"2023-05-11T15:48:58","modified_gmt":"2023-05-11T22:48:58","slug":"can-dogs-help-you-get-unlost-when-hiking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2023\/04\/10\/can-dogs-help-you-get-unlost-when-hiking\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Dogs Help You Get Unlost When Hiking?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>If you get lost hiking, can your dog help you get unlost? <\/strong>Maybe! Depends on the dog, depends on the situation.<\/p>\n<p>Here are two contrasting stories of me getting lost (or close to lost) while hiking in southern Utah. One time my two dogs &#8212; golden retrievers Hana and Molly &#8212; found and indicated the correct route back to my vehicle &#8212; and the other time they didn&#8217;t.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8516\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8516\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8516\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-unlost.jpg\" alt=\"When you're hiking, dogs can help you get unlost by finding a trail or route that you missed. This is Hana (left) and Molly, my two sweet golden retrievers that went on hundreds of hikes and boondocking trips with me.\" width=\"1024\" height=\"740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-unlost.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-unlost-480x347.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-unlost-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-unlost-768x555.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8516\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">When you&#8217;re hiking, dogs can help you get unlost by finding a trail or route that you missed. This is Hana (left) and Molly, my two sweet golden retrievers that went on hundreds of hikes and boondocking trips with me.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>NOTE: <\/strong>this article is based in part on Chapter Seven, &#8220;Dispersed Camping Safety,&#8221; in my book <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CPMlbP\"><em>Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping &amp; Boondocking on America&#8217;s Public Lands<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Camp for Free in the Backcountry<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6295\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300.jpg\" alt=\"Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping &amp; Boondocking on America's Public Lands book cover. Free camping in the United States.\" width=\"250\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300-31x50.jpg 31w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><strong>My book shows you everything you need to know to find and enjoy secluded dispersed camping (boondocking) spots in the backcountry:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Public lands where you can camp for free<\/li>\n<li>Researching the best locations<\/li>\n<li>Finding the best camping spots<\/li>\n<li>Backcountry safety and ethics<\/li>\n<li>What to take<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CPMlbP\">Buy it on Amazon<\/a><br \/>\nBuy it on <a href=\"https:\/\/books2read.com\/u\/3RnavL\">Apple, Kobo, and Nook<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Not Getting Lost: Hiking with the Dogs in Southern Utah<\/h2>\n<p>My most extensive stint of <a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-book-camp-free\/\">dispersed camping<\/a> occurred in 1999 and 2000 in my (mostly) trusty Ford Econoline van, always accompanied by (mostly) trusty canine sidekicks, golden retrievers Hana and Molly.<\/p>\n<h3>Hiking Dixie National Forest West of Bryce Canyon National Park&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>In May of 1999 we were exploring southern Utah just west of Bryce Canyon National Park. We\u2019d driven a ways south down a major dirt road in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/dixie\">Dixie National Forest<\/a>, and then taken a decent side road a couple of miles to a good boondocking spot.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8517\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8517\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8517\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-unlost-hiking-bryce-canyon-boondocking-dixie.jpg\" alt=\"The dogs kept us from getting lost while hiking, and got us back to our boondocking spot in Dixie National Forest, which has similar geological formations as Bryce Canyon National Park, pictured here.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"669\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-unlost-hiking-bryce-canyon-boondocking-dixie.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-unlost-hiking-bryce-canyon-boondocking-dixie-480x321.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-unlost-hiking-bryce-canyon-boondocking-dixie-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-unlost-hiking-bryce-canyon-boondocking-dixie-768x514.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8517\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The dogs kept us from getting lost while hiking, and got us back to our boondocking spot in Dixie National Forest, which has similar geological formations as Bryce Canyon National Park, pictured here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Late one afternoon we headed out for a hike, utilizing a network of lesser dirt roads. The plan was to reach a point high enough and open enough that I could find cell reception and call a friend to wish him happy birthday. Our last major turn occurred after we\u2019d climbed a rough animal path from one dirt road up to another, and then turned left. At the time I made special note of a distinctive dead tree with a twisted trunk beside this junction, so that I\u2019d know where we needed to go right and descend on the return journey.<\/p>\n<p>We headed farther uphill and westerly, and eventually did find a spot with beautiful open vista of forest punctuated by the same sherbet orange sandstone formation for which Bryce Canyon National Park is so famous. I made my call and then spent time taking in the majesty of the panorama.<\/p>\n<p>By now it\u2019s near sunset and we\u2019re a couple of miles from the car. We begin walking back, with the girls 50 feet or so ahead. I was paying attention, thinking about the turn to the right by the distinctive dead tree, but I was also, of course, thinking many other thoughts.<\/p>\n<h3>My Dogs Find the Trail Back&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>I round a bend on the dirt road and see Hana and Molly stopped at the distinctive dead tree, bodies pointed downhill in the direction we need to go, both looking at me expectantly. I think they realized darkness was close and that we were in new territory, and they wanted to get back to the van (and supper). Down we went, back to the van (and supper).<\/p>\n<h3>Lessons Learned: NOT Getting Lost While Hiking with Dogs&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p><strong>One. <\/strong>Always pay attention to all junctions when exploring, especially when you don\u2019t have a good map and are just winging it.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Two. <\/strong>It\u2019s important to identify visual cues to remind you of junctions and orientation in general, in this case the distinctive dead tree.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Three. <\/strong>Sometimes (and only sometimes!) your dogs will know the way back. Read on\u2026<\/p>\n<h2>Getting Lost: Hiking with the Dogs in Southern Utah<\/h2>\n<p>First off, it wasn\u2019t their fault. I was responsible for all navigation, and they usually just followed me wherever I went.<\/p>\n<h3>Hiking Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument at Sunset&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s May of 2000 and the girls and I have found yet another kick-ass dispersed camping spot, this time along a narrow dirt road off Spencer Flat Road, itself off Highway 12 in Utah\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Grand_Staircase%E2%80%93Escalante_National_Monument\">Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument<\/a>. Just before sunset we walked downslope and about 400 yards away from the van to an open area with a spectacular view of the sculpted red sandstone formations of the Escalante River, one of my favorite places on the planet.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_8515\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-8515\" style=\"width: 1000px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-8515\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-escalante-monument-boondocking.jpg\" alt=\"The view from near our boondocking\/dispersed camping site off Spencer Flat Road in Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. The dogs and I hiked to here on the evening we got lost.\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-escalante-monument-boondocking.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-escalante-monument-boondocking-480x360.jpg 480w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-escalante-monument-boondocking-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/dog-lost-hiking-escalante-monument-boondocking-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-8515\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The view from near our boondocking\/dispersed camping site off Spencer Flat Road in Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument. The dogs and I hiked to here on the evening we got lost.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We watch the interplay of light and shadow as the sun approached the horizon, and then the attenuation of color as shadows fill the landscape. About 40 minutes after sunset, as Venus and the first bright stars appear in the sky, we start walking back to the van.<\/p>\n<p>Now, I had paid attention to where the van was and where we were; several times as we walked down to our viewpoint, I had turned around to note landmarks so I would have the correct direction and distance.<\/p>\n<p>But alas, I did not do it well enough! We walked back in the gathering dark, but when we got to where I expected the van to be, it was not there. Worse, with all the juniper trees and the growing darkness, I could not see very far at all.<\/p>\n<p>Initially I wasn\u2019t worried. I walked in a spiral around the area where I thought the van should be, but I couldn\u2019t find it. Alarmed, I headed partially back down to where we\u2019d watched the sunset so I could again walk up using my earlier bearings. But we got the same result: no van.<\/p>\n<p>I briefly searched a bit more where I thought it should be, but no luck. Now I\u2019m really worried. I know no one stole the van; I just can\u2019t find it. And it\u2019s nearly dark with no moon.<\/p>\n<p>I stop and think about the best course of action. I\u2019m dressed in pants, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. We can survive a night in the dark, but it would be very unpleasant.<\/p>\n<p>So I develop a plan. Get back to Spencer Flat Road, know which direction to turn to find the dirt road I parked on, and then walk that dirt road until I find the van.<\/p>\n<p>By now it\u2019s almost completely dark. We head about 200 yards through the juniper and sagebrush in the direction of Highway 12, parallel to Spencer Flat Road. We then turn left and I lope carefully directly toward Spencer Flat Road, making sure I don\u2019t trip or run into vegetation. The goal is to get to Spencer Flat Road before all twilight is gone.<\/p>\n<p>Thankfully we do reach Spencer Flat Road with no problems. This is important, because there\u2019s a possibility other people could be driving the road and could help us. Also, the road is wide and flat and fairly easy to walk, even though it was now completely dark.<\/p>\n<p>We were very fortunate that it was a clear night. You may not know it, but you can see a bit by <a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/2023\/05\/11\/night-sky-observation-tips-backpackers-boondockers\/\">starlight<\/a>, and luckily Venus was also in the sky. I could faintly make out the road bed as we walked along, and I kept my eyes glued to the left edge, hoping I would see the secondary road we\u2019d camped on.<\/p>\n<p>And, soon enough, I was barely able to make out a secondary dirt road. Still not entirely sure it was actually ours, we headed down it while I was extra careful with my footing. And\u2026 after a few hundred yards we came upon the van. Such relief, such joy!<\/p>\n<h3>Lessons Learned: Getting Lost While Hiking with Dogs&#8230;<\/h3>\n<p><strong>One. <\/strong>Always, always pay attention to where you are and where your vehicle is! This was pre-GPS days, <a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-websites-apps\/\">but now you can use your phone and an app<\/a> to mark the location of your vehicle and then use the app to help you navigate the way back. Mind you, don\u2019t count on the app. Use all the other tools and methods I detail in this chapter.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Two. <\/strong>Be especially careful about heading out to explore late in the day, particularly if you plan to come back after sunset.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Three. <\/strong>Always take the <a href=\"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/resources\/10essentials\/\">Ten Essentials<\/a>, even if you think there\u2019s no way you can get stuck out away from your vehicle after dark. For example, a headlamp or flashlight will help you find your way, and the other items of the Ten Essentials will help keep you warm, fed, and hydrated. (And here&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-gear-supplies-checklist-what-take\/\">my complete list of everything I take boondocking<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<div class=\"color-block\">\n<h4>Camp for Free in the Backcountry<\/h4>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6295\" src=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300.jpg\" alt=\"Camp for Free: Dispersed Camping &amp; Boondocking on America's Public Lands book cover. Free camping in the United States.\" width=\"250\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300-188x300.jpg 188w, https:\/\/northerncaliforniahikingtrails.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/dispersed-camping-boondocking-camp-free-300-31x50.jpg 31w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/><strong>My book shows you everything you need to know to find and enjoy secluded dispersed camping (boondocking) spots in the backcountry:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Public lands where you can camp for free<\/li>\n<li>Researching the best locations<\/li>\n<li>Finding the best camping spots<\/li>\n<li>Backcountry safety and ethics<\/li>\n<li>What to take<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2CPMlbP\">Buy it on Amazon<\/a><br \/>\nBuy it on <a href=\"https:\/\/books2read.com\/u\/3RnavL\">Apple, Kobo, and Nook<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Subscribe to the Northern California Hiking Trails Blog<\/h2>\n<script>(function() {\n\twindow.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || {\n\t\tlisteners: [],\n\t\tforms: {\n\t\t\ton: function(evt, cb) {\n\t\t\t\twindow.mc4wp.listeners.push(\n\t\t\t\t\t{\n\t\t\t\t\t\tevent   : evt,\n\t\t\t\t\t\tcallback: cb\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t}\n\t}\n})();\n<\/script><!-- Mailchimp for WordPress v4.12.2 - https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/mailchimp-for-wp\/ --><form id=\"mc4wp-form-1\" class=\"mc4wp-form mc4wp-form-3226 mc4wp-form-theme mc4wp-form-theme-green\" method=\"post\" data-id=\"3226\" data-name=\"Subscribe for Email Updates\" ><div class=\"mc4wp-form-fields\"><p>\r\n<strong>Get notified of new articles and updated info, 1-4 times per month. <\/i><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n\t<label>First Name:<\/label> \r\n\t<input type=\"text\" name=\"FNAME\" placeholder=\"Your first name\"> \r\n<\/p>\r\n\t<label for=\"mc4wp_email\">Email address: <\/label>\r\n\t<input type=\"email\" id=\"mc4wp_email\" name=\"EMAIL\" required placeholder=\"Your email address\" \/>\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>\r\n\t<input type=\"submit\" value=\"Sign up\" \/>\r\n<\/p>\r\n<p>\r\n  <strong>Your address will never be shared.<\/strong>\r\n<\/p><\/div><label style=\"display: none !important;\">Leave this field empty if you're human: <input type=\"text\" name=\"_mc4wp_honeypot\" value=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" autocomplete=\"off\" \/><\/label><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_mc4wp_timestamp\" value=\"1777552445\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_mc4wp_form_id\" value=\"3226\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_mc4wp_form_element_id\" value=\"mc4wp-form-1\" \/><div class=\"mc4wp-response\"><\/div><\/form><!-- \/ Mailchimp for WordPress Plugin -->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you get lost hiking, can your dog help you get unlost? Maybe! Depends on the dog, depends on the situation. Here are two contrasting stories of me getting lost (or close to lost) while hiking in southern Utah. One time my two dogs &#8212; golden retrievers Hana and Molly &#8212; found and indicated the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8516,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6205,262],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-8436","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dispersed-camping-and-boondocking","8":"category-hiking-and-backpacking-hazards","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can Dogs Help You Get Unlost When Hiking? - Northern California Hiking Trails<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you get lost hiking, can your dog help you get unlost? 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