We woke to bright sunshine after a night of a pretty good wind blowing. Scott had set our start time of 10 a.m. - most of us were saddled & waiting. Last year's ride~
On our Way~
We're on our way! Six riders, three mares & three geldings. Farah was very happy that Linda had brought Count along! She was not happy that there were two other mares.
The first waterfall~
As we rounded the first of the big turns around the cliffs - again - the sound & smell of the waterfall was so strange in this otherwise somewhat barren landscape. More green this year - more rain has fallen.
Wildflowers~
The small pink wildflowers that were blooming everywhere last year - weren't this time - only a few here & there. Others, that I hadn't seen before - were blooming in profusion! So bright & beautiful! In places, there seemed to be more grass than I'd remembered.
Above the Ancient Lakes~
These trails are deceptive - as is the distance. The climbs too, are steeper & tougher than they look in many cases. Farah took up her place from last year - behind Scott's Morgan gelding Kelly. This day's ride was to Burk Lake - with a couple steep uphill climbs through the shale.
Barb, Scott & Linda
The day was getting warm, all the horses were ready for a drink of water - except Farah. She was out-of-sorts the entire ride & didn't drink until Rio walked right in. She watched the others drink - then stepped in & took a swallow just to satisfy me.
Heading down!
Barb was in the lead most of the time, riding her new young horse Rio. Rio is from Texas - so there was a rock or two that could have been spookable :-) Otherwise - he was a champ!
Looking down the canyon~
The views here, so different from what we have at home, really do make me feel like I'm in the West - & not just western, WA. Soon, it was time for our lunch break & Scott has the perfect spot, right in the middle of a large saddle on the top level of the plateau.
Lunch!
With the horses tied below, my friends enjoyed the sunshine. I went up to take photos, but soon slid back down the shale, to the cool shade at the base of the cliffs, with Farah.
Good grazing here~
I was sitting by a large rock, with a small den under it's edge. A marmot hole I'm sure. I was wondering all the while what Farah would do if Mr. Marmot came out while she was biting off the grass outside his door :-)
On our way back, at the second level of the plateau - I zoomed in to get this photo of the Bishop's new house. What an incredible spot to call home!
Bishop Home~
We had quite a mix of horses this trip & as Scott said; the larger the group - the more difficult it is to reach that perfect pace for all. One mare was recovering from abscesses, so wasn't in condition, the other, a nice gaited mare. Her gait was fast, but her walk wasn't quite the speed of the other horses. Farah was pretty unhappy that I'd been holding her back all day... So, once I knew where we were - I let her open up a little & we left the group.
I let her trot, but she was so wired that she was shying more than trotting. Butch was waiting as we came around the corner & caught a little video clip. Her attitude is apparent! You would never know that we'd done those steep climbs!
Another fine evening with friends & another night of blowing winds!
Scott & Barbara are experienced trail riders, with one of our local Back Country Horsemen chapters. They do more than their share of trail clearing, maintenance, etc. So when they go riding for fun - you can bet that it's going to be fun! The area we were riding into the Quincy Lakes Unit - where Ancient Lake & several other small lakes are to be found. On this day - Scott mentioned waterfalls, lakes, high places, views! But after we hit the trail - I started to wonder if he'd been telling tall tales!
The Waterfall~
We could hear this waterfall long before we saw it! I wish I'd thought to do a short video, just for the amazing sound - the water almost echoed as it hit the the basalt rocks below. This roar of water in the middle of the Scablands was not something I expected. Continuing on - it was easy to feel like we were 150 years in past.
The first of the lakes~
Soon, the first of the lakes appeared. I've always enjoyed & admired water... Rivers & mountain lakes, were all I knew - besides one trip to see Lake Michigan in the 70's. I'd never even seen an ocean until we moved here in 1980. After the trip to Southern, CA - I appreciate it all the more - the liquid of life in the otherwise barren landscape.
Another waterfall
Around the corner & two more lakes. Scott said that there is usually three times the water flowing down this fall - so, as we're all aware, it's going to be a dry year.
Last of the lakes~
As we climbed the rim-rock, the last of the lakes fell away below us. Distance is so deceptive in this land of wide-open vista's.
Wildflowers~
Here too - the wildflowers were blooming! Spectacular pinks, purples & blues. We were getting hungry - we were heading to the spot that Scott promised would be perfect for our lunch break!
The "Perfect Place"!
The saddle in the photo above is that perfect spot! It took some climbing to get there, then we had some branches to trim - to be able to tie the four horses on the steep hillside. Once that was done, we grabbed our food & hiked up to the rim - that dropped off steeply on the back side to reveal the view below!
Another lake!
I found a long spar shaped stone, narrow, knife like - with three sides that were as sharp as any knife. With a handle - it would make one. It went into my pack :-) We slid back down to where the horses were waiting in the shade & saddled back up.
Heading down through the cut~
The downhill that we were heading for - was extremely steep & rocky. The basalt was loose & sharp. Each horse seemed to understand that this took some extra skill to navigate & I was holding onto the front of my saddle with one hand - it was that steep! I was relieved to reach the bottom!
Basalt outcrop~
This basalt outcropping certainly looked like it had been molten at some point in time!
Our Route
It wasn't long until we were back under the huge power lines & almost back to camp. The day had gone by so fast! Scott was already tempting us with tales of the ride we'd do tomorrow!
