Some adventures are measured in miles, like my epic 6-day wilderness trek on Rae Lakes Loop last June (~ 58 miles).

Other adventures are gentler on the body and measured more in moments, such as my puppy’s first backpacking trip.

With my pack snug on my back and my 8-month-old Yorkie-Poo bouncing at my heels, we set off on the Raven Rock Trail in Keowee-Toxaway State Park. The air was crisp, with a just-right hint of humidity, and the sky was a flawless blue. I was excited about a night under the stars but uncertain how Phoebe, my furry companion, would handle sleeping in the backcountry without her crate comforts.

The Hike In

The trail wound through a forest just beginning to hint at spring, dappled sunlight filtering through the trees. Phoebe the pup, equal parts explorer and shadow, alternated between sniffing every fallen leaf and trotting ahead, ears perked, as if she already knew the way.

The Raven Rock Trail isn’t long, but it has its challenges – root-addled sections, some rocky descents, and the occasional steep climb. But with each turn, the beauty of the Upstate revealed itself, like through glimpses of Lake Keowee between the trees paired with the rush of water tumbling over rock.

It began to mist slightly, but Phoebe and I plodded on, eager to get to camp.

Trailside Camp

By late afternoon, we reached the trailside campsite. Tucked away from the main path, it was the perfect spot – flat, shaded, and just close enough to the water for a peaceful soundtrack of rippling waves. As I set up camp, my puppy busied herself with the important task of inspecting every inch of our temporary home. She would scamper around to sniff each branch, staying in an invisible radius with me as the epicenter while I readied our tent. Pheeb would pause to chase a floating seedpod or tilt her head at a rustling branch.

With the tent pitched and my dehydrated meal slowly cooking in its bag, we settled in to watch the sky shift through shades of gold and pink. The evening air carried the scent of pine and earth, and as the first stars flickered to life, my pup still continued her exploration of the great outdoors. I thought Phoebe might be content and drowsy from the day’s adventures, but the girl has seemingly limitless energy.

A Night Under the Stars

Eventually we crawled into the tent, which required an additional 20 minutes of sniffing from my young companion.

There’s something magical about sleeping outdoors, wrapped in the hush of the wilderness. The night was still and the temperature perfect – not too cold, not too warm. The world felt at peace.

I’d like to say that Phoebe slept soundly, nestled in my sleeping bag, but it was an up-and-down sort of night as the howl of coyotes in the distance kept waking the both of us. Eventually we both got a solid 3 hours of shut-eye from about 2 to 5 am.

The Morning Hike Out

Dawn arrived with birdsong and the soft glow of sun filtering through the trees. We were both sleepy but happy, and I packed up right before the rain began.

My Yorkie-Poo scampered along the trail, making her back-and-forth laps to ensure that I was making headway. She paused frequently as part of her sniffing adventure and seemed to lament when when the trail ended at the car.

Some trips are about the destination, but this one was about the experience – about the quiet joy of sharing the trail with my tiny but mighty hiking companion. There’s something simple but pleasurable about disconnecting and spending a night in the woods where everything else feels just a little more alive.

And if this was just the beginning of our backpacking adventures, I can’t wait to see where we go next.