[NRG] Question about Summersville approach sans ladder

I am introducing a new climber to the NRG this weekend, who would like to bring a dog that we are not equipped to lower down the approach ladder (70 lbs). I read on the front page if you don't take the fork to the ladder and keep going, there is a longer approach that takes you to a break in the cliffs and deposits you climbers right of Orange Oswald.

My question is, has anyone taken this route and A) Confirm the accuracy and B) share some more detail about this approach, like if there are trail markers, an obvious path, or if we just start bushwhacking to the right as soon as we see the two houses? Any sort of guidance so that I have more confidence on a part of the trail I haven't explored yet. I'd like to not hike 30 minutes in and have to turn back due to not finding the right spot.

Some more info to satisfy some potential community concerns: The dog is well behaved, quite friendly with people and other dogs, and will be kept on a leash at all times. Poo bags on hand so we don't muck up the trail for other climbers. I agree leaving fido at home is the easiest choice, but it doesn't look like that will pan out this weekend.

Thanks in advance

Yes the trail works and it's an extra bit of walking and IMO not worth it. You'd be better off at Sandstonia. With that said, whether or not there are trail markers depends if anyone has kicked them down or put them up recently. If I recall you can just follow the tree markers (red paint) and will end up on the property of a two story house with a dog and big fenced in yard. Look for the drainage and obvious ditch there and head down.

Don't want to get you guys in any kind of trouble but I carried my 65 lb dog down that ladder on my shoulder...

At current lake levels, you can walk through Pirate's Cove by turning right off the main approach about 2 minutes before the right turn toward the ladder. There is a clear trail to Pirate's Cove, at the point when you can first see the lake through the trees on the right. There may be a short scramble on slab before getting to the lakebed in Pirate's Cove, then follow the cliff line left along the lakebed for 5-10 minutes until you can walk up to the Coliseum. There is an easy walk up on right side of the Coliseum area (when facing the cliff) or a steeper scramble into the coliseum under Reckless Abandon, on the left side. I would guess this approach is possible with the lake elevation below 1,230 and not possible at 1,240, not sure about the in-between. Lake elevation: http://www.lrh-wc.usace.army.mil/wm/?basin/kan/sug

Edit: Happened back across this thread: I should have written 1,630 and 1,640 above. Sorry for the confusion.

Good information, thanks Chris for the detail on what I can expect from the trail.

@tyler: that's an idea, though I have doubts about this dog's ability to not squirm around while I'm on the ladder which I recall can be slippery sometimes.

I'm going to rig a makeshift dog harness and see how she handles being strapped to my back and then decide from there.

I'll keep the water levels in mind for hitting this area late season.

Really appreciate the input.