Pup’s FIRST Hike!

Started the 2025 hiking season in style with a fun and easy challenge to summit Sitton Peak in Cleveland National Forest. Most notable for me was the opportunity to bring my cattle dog-shepherd mix, Baloo, on his first day hike. At 9 months old, I have taken him on various shorter hikes but Sitton Peak was a planned longer day hike – taking it slow to bath in the nature of it all as it were! Ha.

Trail conditions were excellent. Trail was clearly marked even on the steepest areas of ascent to the peak. A mid-morning start with sunshine all day, 60-70 degree temps, slight breeze with a slight chill to it. The elevation gain wasn’t especially challenging but took our time with it being the first distance hike and Baloo’s first outing of the year. 10 miles over about 6 hours. Lots of water breaks – I carried 4 liters for the two of us. Baloo carried the snacks! 😉

This was a great hike to start the year – an opportunity to break in new trail shoes and a fun start to my first 6-Peak challenge. My hope is to do about a peak a month…some exceptions to that but really looking forward to putting on the miles. Can’t wait for the next ones!