Back on the Trail

We’ve been eager to get the horses out for a ride, and today was our chance. Steve was off work, the temperatures were low 40’s, mostly sunny. Even with a brisk wind, we were able to bundle up and stay warm. We loaded the horses and trailered to the Cedars, about 2 miles from the house.

At 6000 feet in elevation, the snow is nearly melted there.

However, if you click on this photo of Steve on Boss, you'll see Mt. Emmons (13,441 ft, right above Steve’s hat) will be snow-covered for a long while. (Even by mid-July, some snow will remain in the shady areas at that altitude.)

After a three month vacation, Mischief danced a bit at first, then settled down.

We rode across sandy terrain

to a rocky-bottom creek that was partially iced over. (Darn, I didn't think about pulling out the camera there.) In trying to avoid the rocks, Boss broke through the ice and plunged across. Mischief stopped in the middle, never mind the rocks, and enjoyed a nice cold drink. We rode along the road on the other side, then circled back toward the trailer.

Daisy had great fun chasing jackrabbits. When she got hot, she lay in the snow. Several times, she slid on her belly down a little snowy hill, kind of like an otter sliding down an embankment. I wish I could have gotten a photo of that, but I missed it. Maybe next time.
We were out a couple of hours for a total of 7.5 miles, 500 feet elevation gain.
We’ll be saddle sore tonight, but after a month or so of rides in the 10 mile range, look out! Twenty milers, here we come…