If you put a bunch of hikers in a room, there are a few topics that are sure to seed lively conversation. User fees. The fate of the Carbon River Road. Drinking your dishwater. And, of course, dogs.

There's little doubt about it - the issue of dogs on trails is a divisive one. One the one side are dog owners who love to hike, and their dogs who love to hit the trails, too. In the wildlands, dogs and humans get to roam, to get in touch with a wild part of ourselves. On the other side are hikers who don't own dogs, who go to the woods to escape our busy everyday world. And for many of them, encountering a dog off-leash, or a dog splashing in a pristine alpine lake, diminishes the quality of that experience.

Last year I wrote about canine etiquette while hiking. If you're wanting more, the April issue of Washington Trails magazine has several features on hiking with dogs, touching on topics like etiquette, what gear to bring and where the best trails in Washington are for dogs, from easy trails to challenging hikes. There's a sidebar on how to be a "Good Human" when hiking with your dog, like how to not leave evidence of your dog's visit on the trail and the true meaning of "voice control." An article talks about special considerations for hiking with a dog that is advanced in age. And lastly, the issue includes a comprehensive of list of the rules for hiking with your dog in Washington - what land management agencies permit dogs on trails and which do not, and where dogs must be on a leash at all times.