I also live out the middle of nowhere and used to hike with my 2 german shepherds daily that is until they both tore their CCL's. We are 9 weeks post surgery with the female and waiting another month to have the male done. Hoping by next summer we will be back out hiking/running the trails with them. I have gained about 10lbs since stopping hiking. We used to hike about 4-5 miles daily. We are heading up Maine this weekend to do some hiking but the pups will be staying behind. I feel so bad leaving them because all they do is cry and whine the whole time were gone.