The new dog is not the old dog.
I have curated countless memories of our beloved old dog, Rocky. He passed away last year at the impressive age of 15. Rocky’s adventures included skijoring in winter, hiking in the Adirondack High Peaks, and backpacking on the Northville Placid Trail.
Now, we have a new addition to the family – Cooper, a playful and floppy-eared 9-month-old mutt. However, my memories of Cooper so far mainly consist of him chewing up clothes and causing chaos in the kitchen.
I expected some wisdom to accompany the passing of time, but I’ve come to realize that they don’t always go hand in hand. With age, I find myself relying too heavily on the past and not embracing the possibilities of the future. This is not a wise mindset to have.
So, I decided it was time to create new memories with Cooper. We embarked on a two-night backpacking trip along the French Louie Loop in the Central Adirondacks. This 22-mile route, starting near Pillsbury Mountain, is not exactly a hidden gem, but surprisingly unknown to the Northville-Placid Trail thru-hikers we encountered.
Cooper and I set off on our adventure, with a slightly late start on the first day. We hustled to reach our desired campsite at Cedar Lakes before nightfall. As we briskly hiked through the long shadows of late afternoon, I suddenly noticed a dark patch on the trail ahead. To my surprise, it turned out to be a black bear.
The French Louis Trail shares its trailhead with Pillsbury Mountain, located eight miles north of Speculator. I highly recommend taking the counterclockwise loop, starting with the Northville-Placid Trail and saving the quieter section near Sampson, Whitney, and Pillsbury Lakes for a delightful hiking experience. The leaves had just begun to turn, providing a picturesque backdrop. Oh, and don’t forget to bring your furry friend along!
New York bears are truly magnificent creatures, and although they aren’t particularly scary, seeing one right before camping in a tent with a dog who had never spent a night outdoors wasn’t exactly comforting.
We quickly set up our tent near the shore of Cedar Lakes, while I tried my best to push the bear out of my mind. Thankfully, a group of NPT thru-hikers had taken up residence in the nearby lean-to, providing a sense of security. Cooper and I sat by the lake, witnessing the breathtaking sunset before settling into the tent.
Cooper proved to be an excellent bunk-mate throughout the night. He only attempted to claim my sleeping bag as his own once before realizing that the foam I had brought along was his designated bed. Surprisingly, there was no barking at unfamiliar sounds during the night; he slept peacefully by my side.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Cooper would truly prove his worth. The French Louie Loop overlapped with the NPT for a portion of the trail, and while most of it was scenic and enjoyable, the section around Mud Lake posed challenges for a small dog wearing a dogpack. With patience and determination, I guided Cooper through floating logs and muddy pits.
We took a break for lunch at West Cedar Lake, where Cooper happily indulged in some well-deserved treats. As we continued along the French Louie Loop, separating from the NPT near West Canada Creek, we found ourselves on a peaceful and rarely traveled path surrounded by serene woods.
Normally, I push myself during long hikes, but it became clear that Cooper needed regular breaks. We set up camp in the afternoon by the beautiful Sampson Lake. I sat beneath a tree, sipping a mug of hot chocolate and reading a book, while the sunlight danced on the water’s surface. Cooper rested his head on my lap as I stroked his fur with my free hand. It was then that I noticed he was wearing Rocky’s old collar. Later, I discovered that he had managed to lose and chew through his own collar, but I cherished this moment of connection between the past and the future.
As a reward for his hard work, Cooper and I enjoyed a well-deserved feast for dinner. We settled into the tent and fell asleep to the harmonious calls of great horned owls, barred owls, and loons. In the middle of the night, I awoke to find Cooper’s head resting on my leg. It reminded me that even the best of us start off as inexperienced novices. In that quiet moment, I gently caressed his soft fur and realized there was plenty of room for new memories in my heart.
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