Can you please do the research before you bitch.
1. The lead climbing ranger has nothing to do with stock use in the park, talk to someone who does-- there are hundreds of backcountry rangers who can explain why dogs are not allowed.
2. Horses are only allowed on the Pacific Crest Trail,which is a decision that particular trail has made, and on the Laughingwater Creek trail from highway 123 to the PCT near Carlton Pass
3. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trail that no animals are allowed on dogs, horses, or other pack animals
4. The reason dogs are not allowed on backcountry trails are huge
a. Most dog owners do not practice minimum impact courtesies (picking up your dog shit), crap can contain undigested plants and seeds which are not native to the park-- park employees and voulenteers spend hundreds of hours extracting non-native plants from the park each year.
b. Many dogs have a natural tendency to "hunt" or "chase" things, therefore scarring wildlife whis is native to the park. An animal that lives in the park who is stressed out is not going to live a very normal live. Not reproducing the way it should, becoming either timid or aggressive when it is exposed to this non-native animal (or human) again.
The park service has a hard enough time containing thoes human folks who walk off trails and throw their trash in lakes, can you please be a little kind towards them in fixing that problem first. Once humans learn how to appreciate the beauty, maybe there will be room for RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERS to use the park. If you ever question their reasoning again please take some time and ask. The rangers at MRNP are the nicest park employees around and are always willing to share information, please ask them yourself before getting into a bitch session over what is better a horse or a dog--
