Hosted by the Cascade Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Club, this Pack Dog event allows teams to complete for one leg toward a GSMDCA Pack Dog title. Cost per dog/handler team is $15.00 and registration must be received no later than May 10, 2006. Dogs competing in the event must be weighed, have their weight recorded on veterinary clinic stationary and signed by a veterinarian no more than five days prior to the hike. A team competing to earn a leg on a title is one handler per dog for the entire ten-mile hike. Dogs are required to be on leash for the entire hike. Hikers will be responsible for bringing and carrying their own lunches, snacks and water for the hike. Pizza and beverages will be provided at a local pizza place following the hike.

The Trail

Forest Park is one of Portland’s prize jewels. Encompassing over 5,000 lush acres of native fir, cedar and spruce, it is the largest city park in the United States. The beautiful Wildwood Trail (view at http://explorepdx.com/forpark5.html) in Forest Park covers almost the entire length of the park, stretching 26.3 miles. This will be a ten-mile out and back hike beginning at the Hoyt Arboretum parking lot, going out five miles to the Portland Public Park next to the Portland Audubon Society and then retrace back to the Hoyt Arboretum parking lot. Along the way, the trail accesses several points of significant interest including the 75 acre Hoyt Arboretum, Japanese Garden, Rose Garden, Pittock Mansion and the Audubon House and Visitor’s Center.

Check-in at the Hoyt Arboretum parking lot (4000 SW Fairview) will be at 9:00 a.m. and the hike will begin at 9:30 a.m. Participants should consider this a “moderate” hike with some elevation gain.

The owner/handler of registered dog accepts full responsibility for the conditioning and condition of both dog and human participant. Neither the GSMDCA nor the CGSMDC will be held liable for any injuries occurred to either dog or humans.