Tabby Mountain

Tabby Mountain WMA (wildlife management area) northwest of Duchesne, Utah is over 40,000 acres where vehicles aren't allowed from December to May. This limits disturbance of big game on winter range. The area is fenced and locked, with only a few openings made for horses and riders to enter.

We last went there on December 1 (see Moonlight Ride), when we had quite an extended adventure and ended up returning to the truck with the dubious aid of a crescent moon.
Our trailhead today was at 6800 feet. We cantered about 5 miles along game trails and two tracks until we reached this spring. The water was still frozen in the center of the pool.

This cabin near another small spring is about to collapse. I gingerly stood on what was left of the porch while Mischief considered whether the structure offered any goodies for him.

At 8300 feet elevation, we ran into large patches of snow and saw a herd of 20-30 elk. They didn't hang around long enough to be photographed, but Steve and Boss were willing subjects.

Daisy didn't make much effort to track the elk since she was pretty tired already. Instead, she stretched out in the snow to cool off.

At various places along the ride, deer went bounding away from us. We saw a dozen or more, total. And a rabbit crossed right in front of Mischief's feet. The bunny quite craftily waited until Daisy was past so he could make a run for the dense brush. Daisy never saw him. She followed the bunny trail a short distance, but was quickly distracted by all the deer scent.
The scenery was great, the temperature was in the 60's, and the sun was out at least some of the time. It was easy to believe spring has sprung.

Good thing we went today, because tomorrow there's an 80% chance of snow!

We rode 12 miles with 1800 feet elevation gain and loss in 2 and a half hours. I think we're all feeling a little worked this evening.