Two dogs had to be rescued recently on a steep, difficult trail on Mount Jefferson in New Hampshire.
According to officials with New Hampshire Paw Rescue—a group of volunteers who help with dog rescue incidents in the White Mountains—they received a report from New Hampshire State Police of a group of two people and two dogs needing help on Mount Jefferson at 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 2.
The group was reportedly at around 4,800 feet on the Caps Ridge Trail on Mount Jefferson. Both dogs were reportedly 8 years old and roughly 70 pounds. One dog had paw damage and was no longer walking, while the other dog was okay.
The group had reportedly climbed the Caps Ridge Trail to the summit of Mount Jefferson, then descended via the Mount Jefferson Loop of Gulfside, Cornice, and Caps Ridge trails. Both dogs showed signs of exhaustion and varying degrees of paw soft-tissue injury on the way down. One of the people called 911 when the group could no longer make progress.
Rescuers said the group lacked dog first-aid supplies and the ability to self-rescue, and didn’t have enough clothing or gear to stay comfortable during a cool, windy night above treeline in the Presidential Range.
Volunteers with New Hampshire Paw Rescue hiked up Caps Ridge Trail to assist the group and evacuate the two dogs. The first team members started hiking at 8:50 p.m.
While en route, a dispatcher learned that the second dog was no longer walking. The team reached the group around 10 p.m. after 1.7 miles of hiking. They helped the group warm up, muzzled the dogs, and applied bandaging, vet wrap, and booties to their paws.
Team members then began carrying both dogs down the trail in rescue harnesses. They said they were grateful for the dry conditions on the notoriously difficult trail.
The first dog’s paw damage was severe enough that she had to be carried the entire way to the trailhead. The second was able to walk again once below treeline, on more forgiving terrain. Everyone reached the trailhead safely at around 1 a.m. on Monday, August 3.
Officials with New Hampshire Paw Rescue said the terrain on Mount Jefferson is difficult and Caps Ridge Trail has steep scrambling sections. The terrain above treeline is bouldery, abrasive, and sharp enough to easily damage a dog’s paws. Once that happens, dogs will refuse to move, and a group can become stranded in unforgiving terrain and weather.
Officials said Caps Ridge is not appropriate for the vast majority of dogs, and this hike proved too much for both dogs. They said the group was fortunate that conditions weren’t worse and that volunteers were available to safely evacuate both dogs from difficult terrain.
They said anyone considering hiking with a dog in the Northern Presidentials, or any above-treeline terrain in the White Mountains, should pack enough gear, food, and water to keep all creatures comfortable; carry first aid (including booties) and rescue gear for their dog; and be confident in their ability to carry their dog out if needed.
