As a first-time visitor to Idyllwild, one of the things I have found especially delightful is the pet-friendly atmosphere. In fact, the discovery that there were pet-friendly trails in Idyllwild was the primary reason I came here for a week’s vacation.

I too enjoyed the Ernie Maxwell trail with my dog off leash. We met many hikers on the trail with dogs. Some [dogs] were on the leash, some were off. Each time, even if there was a moment of unpredictability, the dogs and we hikers were able to work things out in a friendly way. We too met other dogs and hikers along steep, narrow trails, but our unleashed dogs were nimble enough to maneuver around each other without a problem.

I have been a dog-owner most of my life. My experiences with people who insist that all dogs be on a leash at all times are usually the ones who own dogs that would run away or become insecure if they were not on the leash. Those of us who enjoy walking our dogs off leash, usually have dogs that are reliable and well-behaved around other people and dogs.

I understand that some dog owners who have small, vulnerable dogs would be fearful around unleashed dogs.

However, it disappoints me tremendously to have found this letter in the Town Crier [the June 21 issue] when I thought I had finally found a place where people really were willing to work together to enjoy their dogs and their trails without the need to cite ordinances.

This whole incident seems so unnecessary to me. It seems to me that the hiker who needs to have his dog on a leash can always hike in places where Ordinance 630 is strictly enforced and leave the Ernie Maxwell trail to those of us who don’t need ordinances to ensure our enjoyment of what nature has provided.

Jamie Taylor
Santa Monica