As Summer drew to a close, we had one last weekend blocked out on the calendar for a “getaway” if the weather would cooperate. Lucky for us, it was looking like a beautiful weekend to head to the mountains! The night before we would be leaving, I asked Kelly if he was planning on bringing Trisha because that’s the kind of planners we are. Ha!
We had been to this area and ridden this trail once before, two years ago. We knew it wasn’t super difficult and exhausting like some of our most recent rides have been and we knew it wasn’t rocky but still had beautiful views and some terrain changes. Basically, perfect for a first mountain trip for a young horse.
This was a “baby book” trip for Trisha if there ever was one. First night away from home, first time camping, first time in the mountains, first long haul, first time drinking from creeks/lakes on the trail, first switchbacks, first bridge, first time meeting up with hikers, first time with the dogs, first, first, first… We couldn’t be more proud of the way she handled herself. It wasn’t all completely smooth sailing, but when she was unsure about something she didn’t just flat out refuse. Instead, she paused and thought about things – she thought about where to put her feet (YAY!), what her best course of action was, if she should go at all (and she always did!).
Anyway, I’ll get started with the onslaught of photos and break the trip down for you.
Although nice weather was in the forecast, it was still Fall in the mountains. We estimate that the nights hovered right above freezing and I should have thought to bring Boobie a coat, but I didn’t so she borrowed one of my old sweatshirts. I promise she’s not as traumatized as she looks.
There’s something extra wonderful about cooking breakfast with a view of the horses ten feet away.
The dogs kept trying to get us to throw sticks for them but we told them to conserve their energy for the ride. They didn’t understand. Trisha, meanwhile, easily talked Kelly into giving her scratchings.
Doesn’t she look so grown up?!
Best practice: pee before you leave camp. Wrangler: check!
This is hands down the prettiest trailhead. We had some hot horses and excited dogs so it was difficult to sit still long enough to get some photos, but it was worth it!
Wrangler starts out EVERY adventure (no matter what it is) ready to go. He walks out faster than any “big” horse… for about 2 minutes. If you can last 2 minutes, he settles down into his happy go lucky pace. Then Spur and I pass him because our walk doesn’t slow down all day.
This was the first spot (and only one of two or three) where Trisha was worried. There was a log to step over, into the mud, it was a little dip… it’s a lot to take in for a desert horse who hasn’t experienced much of anything else. She took her time, thought about it, and then stepped across.
When I ride drag, Turbo gets SO WORRIED about me. He covers a ton of ground in his back and forth, back and forth to check on me and it drives us all (except maybe him) completely crazy. So sometimes he gets told to just stay back. In this case, he hung out with Trisha and it was eye-opening to see the lack of size difference. Turbo is a BIG dog!
We stopped at the top of our climb to adjust stuff and take a little breather. Trisha was very relaxed and the dogs took full advantage of the break to lay down and (in Boost’s case) stare at me creepily.
While Spur is completely capable of ponying and (shockingly) he doesn’t mind doing it, his walk is SO fast that it would have been very unfair to ask Trisha to keep up with him or ask him to slow down for her. We walked ahead most of the time and would turn back to take pictures and check on the others.
Trisha’s cute little expression, figuring out switchbacks and trail mechanics… “hey! What are you doing up there?!”
I shouldn’t admit this, but I’m always pleasantly surprised at how well-behaved our dogs are on the trail. They know their job, they do their best to listen, and they’re very well-mannered. We always have people comment on it and I’m always so proud of them!
We accidentally passed our planned lunch spot so we settled for this one.
This gentleman’s name is Howard and he was such a wealth of knowledge and wisdom! Howard is getting up there in years and his mule was up there in height, so Kelly lent a helping hand to get Howard back in the saddle after his own lunch break.
If you ever hang out with Wrangler, don’t expect to eat ANYTHING with a crinkly wrapper and not share it. Those are the rules, you’ve been warned.
Spur does not just “go stand next to” anyone. We wanted to stand next to Kelly for our group photo, but Spur was having none of that so we switched sides, gave Trisha the boot to move her over and stood next to her for photos.
Then we made it down to our previously planned lunch spot to splash in the lake/pond/water for a little while.
Trisha says, “Why are you following me?”
Aaaand back to the trailhead for some fun before heading back to camp. This ride could be a loop (and we had previously done it as a loop) but we were being cognizant of the baby legs that were with us so we just picked a point, turned around, and doubled back.
Back in camp, the dogs were nice and tired! As were we.
We spent a short evening around a small fire and then headed to bed.
But not before some extra lovins were handed out to the baby.
