... usually takes around a half-hour for the feeding along with a few ambient temperature and pond stage and flow measurements - the dog is walking about the whole time sniffing and checking things out - finished up and was going to take him for a short walk around the "grounds", as usual, when we notice that he is having a very hard time walking, and suddenly falls flat on "all fours" - tried to stand him up, but he "ain't budging", and he ain't exactly no 'Chihuahua' ta' boot - and my backs been killing me - still, managed to get him over and up into the back of the jeep, which was parked nearby...
... knew right away that he was having some cold and frost issues with his paws and hind feet - he's probably around fifteen years age, and for the past few years have noticed he's developed some sensitivity, especially when walking on rough stones or gravel - just pointing this out for others out there - keep an eye on your "old dog" if out and about in cold weather - especially if he's kept outdoors - better yet, bring 'em in for the night...
... which reminds us of an incident that occurred a few years back on a trip out west - had driven up into the 'Spring Mountains' north of Las Vegas with the intention of hiking up to 'Mary Jane Falls' - it's a short (three mile round trip) 'out and back' that ascends for around 950ft through a forest of aspen, fir and pine flanked by steep limestone cliffs forming 'Kyle Canyon' - the trail itself is mostly a series of very steep, rocky switchbacks - a pretty good workout if you're moving fast...
... which upon arriving discovered that was what we would have to do - was 85degreesF when we left the low desert - was wearing some running pants and a light tank top, and had brought along a light jacket - it's 35degreesF at the trailhead, and the wind is howling like crazy - it's probably down in the twenties considering "wind-chill" - still, no-big-deal, always been a cold weather person...
... so we're movin' fast - about half-way up the trail say hello to a "portly" guy heading down-trail - two switchbacks later and we say hello to an asian lady (decked out like the cover of a 'Patagonia' clothing catalog) following the guy - two more switchbacks, and here comes this old (very gray muzzle), large and seriously overweight black dog (Black Lab, our guess) - the switchbacks are really a series of steep stone rubble staircases (impressive job whoever built those things) - and the poor dog is literally falling down them - we stop and am checking him out - he's lookin' us dead in the eyes, like saying "Help Me!" - seems like a very friendly and nice dog - we hang out and wait for someone to come following him...
... about five minutes later and here comes the asian-lady back up the trail - "Is this your dog?", we ask - "YES!!" - "Don't think he's doin' too good" - "HE COMES WITH ME ALL THE TIME - HE'S OK!!! (rudely) - "OK, then" - and continue up the trail, take one last look back - the poor old 'Lab' is watchin' us leave like we've just dropped him off at the front door to the 'glue-factory'...
... so we get up to the falls - pretty nice - check out the place - there's a large "cave" at the base of the falls - snap a few photos - and head back down trail, stopping occasionally for a few more photos - all the while wondering how the dog made out (and making concerned haste, as well) - a few lower switchbacks from where we left them, there they are (the guy we passed earlier was her husband) - the poor dog down on all fours - "You sure your dog's OK? - can go get some help" - "YES! - HE'S RESTING!!! - "OK, then" - and we're off...
... get back to the car - we're driving out 'Kyle Canyon Road', but the dog is bothering us - "Screw It!!" - stop at the 'Kyle Canyon Fire Station' - knock on the door, and a fireman pokes his head out of a second story window - we explain the situation, but he say's that he is the only one on duty and is not allowed to leave the station unattended unless an emergency - ask him if he has a rescue litter - "I'm not allowed to lend anything out"...
... it's early in the season, and none of the park personnel are as yet on duty - pass a maintenance building, and see one lone guy unloading some gear from the back of a pick-up - pull in - says he's from California - works seasonal high-country maintenance in the park from Spring to Fall, and this is his first day back - tell him about the dog - says he doesn't have keys to access any emergency equipment - but we both spot a few 10ft aluminum canopy poles leaning against the wall - says he has a few blankets - we grab two poles and a large blanket, and we're off in his pick-up...
... we hike quickly and reach the dog about a half-mile up the trail - there's now about five other hikers gathered 'round - the dog lying on it's side and panting pretty heavily - "Are you guys with the park - this dog needs help!!" they're shouting - we move in and quickly assemble a makeshift 'pole and blanket litter' - believe it or not, "Miss Nagasaki" is still protesting! - luckily, one of the ladies assembled, clearly a dog lover, argues right back with her - we load up the 'mutt', and head out - the whole time her husband says nothing, but once moving along the trail, and out of "earshot", he is thanking us again and again - it's clear who "wear's the pants" in that family...
... anyway, we got the 'Lab' back down and loaded in their SUV - told "Miss Nagasaki" don't bother thanking us (she didn't), and left...
... headin' up Rt 157 toward the 'Spring Mountains' north of 'Vegas' - that's 'Mt. Charleston' "dead ahead" - late May and still plenty of snow up high - 85 degrees in the desert - wind chill 20's up there...
... viewing west from high on the trail toward 'Charleston Peak' and the massive flanking Limestone walls...
... 'Kyle Canyon' viewing south from high on the trail...
... 'Mary Jane Falls' - just a "trickle" today - still a large 'ice cone' at the base - but conditions can be deceiving - they warn ya' to be careful hiking during sudden thunderstorms - one of which years ago wiped out the old campground, which is now the trailhead...
... the 'cave' is behind the 'ice cone', at the base of the falls....
... there's three multi-pitch Grade 4 to 5 ice climbs that ascend the immediate vicinity of the falls - not formed this day - but looks difficult...
... some pretty big Limestone walls...
... the trail passes directly beneath several...
... an 'Alpine Forest'...
... the 'Vegas Hose Monster' - Grade 5, 400ft - always thought that it ascended 'Mary Jane Falls' - turned out it's on the opposite side of 'Kyle Canyon' - swiped this photo off the 'internet' - not ours - thanks to the photographer - that's one, big, committing lookin' route...
... boy, if we realized at the time that you eventually get old and have so many aches and (back) pains, would have pushed things ten times harder...
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