Glenn Falls via St. Elmo Trail: A Dog's-Eye Report

Dublin and Chester recorded their reports on the trail. Press play above for the full four-and-a-half-minute video; the written version below follows the recordings.

Dublin's Report

I am Dublin. I am the senior member of this expedition, and I take my supervisory duties seriously, which is why I performed most of them from the shadiest available spot.

The day began with promise: woods, water, good smells. It ended with the humans lost on a road, which was not on the itinerary, but was in hindsight completely on brand. Here is what happened, as best I can reconstruct from my nap-adjacent observations.

We missed a turn. Eleanor was in front, Wayne was in charge of the map, which is a sentence that should concern everyone. We ended up walking along a road with cars on it, which I found undignified. The humans found it dangerous, which is their word for a walk without snacks.

Credit where it is due: Wayne kept us all on short leashes near the road, which was correct handling. Then a kind trail runner appeared, as if summoned, and pointed us down something called the pipeline trail. It was steep. It was not, strictly speaking, a trail. It got us off the road. Sometimes the wrong path is the right one, provided someone local points at it.

The waterfall was lovely. I observed it the way I observe most things: calmly, from a comfortable position. On the ride home, the puppy slept, exactly as I predicted. I did not sleep. I supervised the sleeping.

Dublin's trail wisdom: Download the map before you go. The humans did not, and look how that turned out. Also, an acorn hit Wayne in the back, which I choose to interpret as the forest filing a complaint.

Chester's Report

Okay, so, Glenn Falls. Let me tell you about Glenn Falls.

First of all, the water: incredible. The rocks: slippery, which is honestly more fun. The humans spent the whole time going "careful, careful," like I have never walked on a wet rock in my life. I have. Many. I am a professional.

Now, about the wrong turn: the humans got us lost. Lost. Eleanor says Wayne had the map. Wayne says Eleanor was in the lead. I say neither of them asked me, and I knew exactly where the snacks were at all times. Leadership is about priorities.

The road part was boring. Cars are loud and nobody throws anything. But then we met people on the trail and I gave them hugs. With my wet paws. You are welcome, everyone. One of them had an Aussie doodle, too, and the humans stood around talking about breeds for a while, which is the human version of sniffing each other.

The pipeline trail? Steep? Slippery? Wayne slid on his butt? I did not. I would like that noted for the record.

Also, Eleanor does not want another dog yet. I heard the whole conversation. Rude? But I respect the honesty.

Chester's trail wisdom: Wear real shoes, humans. Wayne changed out of flip flops mid-hike like an amateur. Also, if you get lost, just ask somebody. Worked great. The trail runner knew everything. Be like the trail runner.

Trail Notes

Footwear. The trail is slippery in spots. Bring hiking boots, not flip flops. Wayne learned this the hard way, and then the rocky way.

Navigation. Download the trail map to your phone before you start. Trail markers exist, but are easy to miss, and the detour onto the road is a real possibility.

Parking. Park at the playground, and walk up to the tiny trailhead by the connector bridge.

Dogs. Leash rules apply, six feet or less on most trails. Wayne runs a long leash, and retracts it when people approach. Around the cliffside and water sections, a retractable leash gives the dog room to explore without dragging the handler toward a drop. Short leash near roads and on slippery ground, always.

The waterfall. Worth it. Bring a camera. The GPS data will pin the spot.

This is not a trail guide. It is a dog's-eye report. Check current conditions before you go.

Trail Data

Trail data via AllTrails: the full GPS track, all nine trail photos, and our 4-star review.