The dogs and I finally hiked the Newlin Creek trail Monday. I’d been meaning to get over there earlier this spring, but circumstances kept getting in the way.

I don’t know how many times we’ve marched up and down that trail over the years, maybe 15, maybe 20. We used to head over there two or three times a year. But it’s turned into more of an annual event the past couple years. Reina’s been there for all of them, Rafa, about half as many times. The last time we were there was June. The time before that was the rain-soaked epic hike with my brother Mark in 2015.

Newlin isn’t a particularly difficult hike, but the first half is three miles of uphill that’s punctuated by a handful of rocky, steep sections and anywhere from 15-20 creek crossings, depending on the time of year. It usually takes me 90-100 minutes to reach the top of the trail. However, the dogs, if not for being fettered by yours truly, could probably do it in half that time. Rafa will run ahead, then come back to see if I’m still standing or if I’ve fallen in the creek  (yes, it’s happened–don’t laugh). Reina’s usually fixated on moving forward and typically won’t double back, unless bribed with a snack. For being almost 12 years old, she still gets after it when she hikes this trail.

But when we venture out at the Redgate at Lake Pueblo, not so much. I think her lack of pace is due in part to the fact she’s so familiar with the trails there, having spent every week for most of her life. When we’re at Newlin Creek, it’s another story.

She’ll start barking when we make the turn for the trailhead off Highway 67 and doesn’t stop until we’ve parked 10 miles later. And when I finally do head up the trail, she’s off like a shot, rarely looking back. It’s been that way since we started going there back in 2006.

Maybe it’s the dense forest setting of the Florence Mountain Park that gets her going. It does offer quite a contrast from the Redgate’s wide open steppe-like terrain. Perhaps it’s the mountain air she finds stimulating. The trailhead’s situated at 6,900 feet and tops out at 8,300 feet. Or maybe she enjoys the challenges of Newlin’s winding, rocky trail and persistent streams of water. For instance, we came to crossing that had sawed sections of a downed tree in the creek to be used as stepping-stones. Rafa splashed his way through the creek in his typical joie de vivre style, but Reina, putting her smarts and agility to use, walked along the wood sections to ford it, as they were intended, both heading up and down the trail.

I’m not sure how many more Newlin expeditions Reina’s got left in the tank. She turns 12 in June. Most dogs her age can’t even jump into the back of a truck. That she can still do a six-mile mountain hike with the zeal she does, tells me she’s got a few miles to go before she sleeps.