In which I drink from a spring and suffer no ill effects

Chaco, the dachshund, ascends the trail under human power in places

Five of us took Chaco, Jacob’s wiener dog, to Hunter Canyon (BLM land) to explore. Hiking with a dachshund is a hoot, requiring plenty of assists and hand-offs. We got lost, of course — five rangers couldn’t follow cairns?!?!? — and then my skillful backcountry roommate pulled out her topo map and we realized how far off course we were.

Drinking from the spring at Hunter Canyon -- mm-m-m, good!

At the hike’s end was a conspicuous spring trickling from a rock wall. Ranger Victoria optimistically described having drunk from it three days earlier and not gotten sick. I’m a former nurse and know too much, but the thought tantalized me and Vic and I hoofed it over to the spring and lapped up palms of water. WOW, was it tasty… and I don’t think it was the element of risk. I think it was REALLY GOOD WATER.