Camping at Carter Lake: Sun, Sand, and Maple’s New Milestone

This weekend, we headed to Carter Lake in Larimer County for a group camping trip! My friend Zainab and I carpooled after working a half-day on Friday, so we didn’t need to take time off. With clear skies, light traffic, and only a short 90-minute drive from my doorstep to the campsite, everything seemed perfectly set for a relaxing weekend. What could go wrong?

Setting Up Camp

The group site was thoughtfully designed, split into five different tent pads with plenty of parking. Although each pad was said to accommodate six people, we quickly discovered that fitting two two-person tents on our pad was a squeeze. I couldn’t fully stake down the rainfly on my brand-new tent, which felt a little disappointing. But hey, camping’s all about improvising, right?

Meanwhile, Maple was in her element! The tall grass and brush around the campsite were practically a jungle in her eyes, and she prowled through it like a miniature tiger. She even climbed up a couple of boulders, looking triumphant on her tiny “mountain peaks.” I had to keep an eye on her, though, since her curiosity led her toward the paved road connecting each campsite. But the most wonderful thing happened—when she tried stepping onto the road, I called her name, and she came back! It was our first successful recall with just my voice. I was so thrilled to see how much she’s been learning.

As evening fell, we waited for the rest of the group to join us, and it wasn’t until after dark that everyone finally arrived.

Attempting a “Water Day”

Saturday was set aside as our water day, and I’d been excited all week to introduce Maple to the lake. Though I hadn’t worked out a plan, I figured we’d take it step by step. First came hauling our gear to the water’s edge, which was no small task: between the paddleboard bag, Maple’s backpack, and my hydration pack, I must’ve looked like a walking garage sale!

However, things took a turn when Maple started making her distressed cries before we even got close to the water. Disappointed but respecting her limits, I decided not to push her—forcing it would only make future water adventures harder. So, I left her in the car where the shaded, cool interior kept her comfortable, and I joined my friends on the lake for about an hour.

Back at camp, we tried to settle in and relax, but the relentless heat made it difficult. Despite being September, the temperature shot up to the 90s, and with almost no shade around, it quickly became uncomfortable. My main concern was keeping Maple cool, so she and the rest of us took refuge in the shade near our cars, waiting for the worst of the heat to pass.

That night, Maple figured out how to crawl into my sleeping bag all on her own—a first! She fidgeted for a while before deciding it was too warm and ended up retreating to her own blanket instead.

Sunday’s Hot Hike

On Sunday, we wrapped up our trip with a hike before heading home. We picked Lion Gulch Trail in Lyons, hoping that higher elevation and some tree cover would provide a break from the heat. Even so, the temperature lingered above 90 degrees, making it challenging. Some in our group had to turn back due to the combined strain of heat and elevation.

The hike turned out to be Maple’s longest yet—6.5 miles over two and a half hours! I couldn’t have been prouder of her. I offered her two lickable treats along the way to keep her hydrated, though by the second treat, she’d started losing interest. I could tell the heat was affecting her; by the return trek, she was lying on my backpack, no longer as alert to her surroundings. Poor thing—I felt guilty, but I also knew that this shared experience was a special one after a weekend of relatively low activity.

While we made regular water breaks, Maple wasn’t too interested in drinking, which reminded me why it’s crucial to bring hydrating snacks like her lickable treats on hikes. They help ensure she’s getting some moisture even when she’s not in the mood for water.

Wrapping Up and Reflections

The drive back home was peaceful; Maple, exhausted from her big weekend, contentedly curled up on my lap the entire way.

Have you ever been on a hike where the heat forced you to turn around? Or did you push through and later regret it? Let us know in the comments—I’d love to hear your stories!