Les Hilde / Harry Osborn State Forest - Day Two~

Ready to leave!

We woke on Saturday morning to another sunshine day!  Only a couple trailers had come then gone since we'd been here.  There was some traffic going into Cowboy Campsites - a few heading out, but not much.  We decided to go that way & see if anyone we knew was there.

Start of the trail~

It was a little cooler this morning with a few clouds, but nothing that looked like the rain that had been forecast.  Both horses were ears forward & ready to be on our way!  We walked around the CC area - most of the RV's are now gone for the season.  It was a quiet morning - no one was around.

Mt. Josephine

With the mountain looming overhead, we both would have liked to go up there - but with gunfire coming from the quarry & having heard a scary story from another rider about bullets whizzing between his chin & his horses neck...  we decided no way.  I wished I had more orange, Butch brought vests - I hope Farah will have her new bright orange rump rug soon!

Cranberry Lake

A very nice lady had come by our camp last evening & asked if we were planning a ride to the Brewery?  Yes we were, hopeful that our mutual friends would come up on Sunday & guide us.  Neither of us could remember the route.  The lady told us to go to Cranberry Lake, then take all right turns - except one left etc.  We did - we tried - but soon knew we were circling back toward camp.

Devoid of leaves, but beautiful!

Since we knew that finding the Brewery route on our own was a no go, we started off exploring again.  Finding some beautiful, if overgrown trail.  The farther we rode from camp, we found that the trails were less used of course & more in need of some brush whacking.

Count & Farah

Farah was being very nice to Count & he appreciated it :-)  She decided that he is a friend & enjoyed his faster pace on fresh trails!  At least until he hit his turbo trot & she had to gallop to catch up!  :-)  It was so nice to see clear, fresh water running in the streams we crossed.

Big Leaf Maple leaf - floats downstream~

So beautiful, especially with all the golds, rusts & yellows.  More rust this season, less color, but still - colorful!  The incredible smell of the air was intoxicating!  I remembered a particular trail, asked Linda about it - & yes we were in the vicinity.  Things had changed, a road had replaced a trail & at the top of the climb was a new cell tower.

Linda & Count

It was amazing at how a clear-cut hillside years ago, is now growing with trees already over ten-feet tall.  We stopped for a lunch break on a grassy trail, where Count & Farah did some mowing.

Skagit Valley

The late afternoon sky was hazy, gray high clouds moving in.  Notice that the weather was going to change.  We turned onto a wooded trail that was so pretty in the gray light.

Between Farah's ears~

This one went on quite a way, with some nice areas for trotting.

Signage~

When we came to this intersection, again it was so hard not to turn & head up to the lakes!  But, it was getting later in the day again.  Soon, we came to a sharp corner & looked down a very steep drop off.  The soil on this side is more sandy rather than slippery, both horses were ready for the drop.

Linda & Count about 1/2 way down

I asked Linda to stop here to get her photo, but it doesn't do the drop justice :-)  Farah loved it - I did too, she's as good on these downhill slides as she is going up the steep climbs.

The steep trail~

Once we'd gone down to the creek - crossed & climbed back to the top - we found this sign!  Being  challenged when it comes to direction - I had no idea how far we were from camp.  It came as a surprise when we came out of the forest right to the side of someone's camp - just across the road from the Cowboy Campsite location!

A beautiful loop around camp!

It was warm enough & still early enough that I put on my crocks & took Farah down to the creek.  She actually stood still & enjoyed having all that salty sweat washed away.  Back at camp, we toweled her off & once dry, put her waterproof sheet on.  Good thing - as while we were sitting around the fire after dinner, the rain started.  Light drizzle at first, it eventually drove us into our respective campers for the remainder of the evening.

I mentioned to Butch that I loved the sound of the rain on the roof & he said that I must finally be a true north-westerner :-)

Spada Lake Trail outside Granite Falls~

Pat on KH Destry& Donnie ponying KH Cam & Riding KH Rao

First, I was so darn mad - forgot my camera!  So I had to use my phone...  Pat had mentioned a couple weeks ago, that she'd found another trail a few miles out of Granite Falls.  Since close to home is always nice we made a plan to go.  Today - our schedules merged - Donnie joined us - we drove to a gravel lot just off the road, parked & started in.  Pat brought her young mare Cam to pony along - her first time away from home.

The river~

When we started it was very warm & sunny - but before long - the trail narrowed, went into the trees & stayed close to the river.  It was a gradual climb all the way - nothing steep - just gradual.

Yes, we were climbing - We think this is Pilchuck Creek

There are a couple bad spots, one short steep climb up around some boulders.  Another section shortly after where half the width of the already narrow trail had crumbled down the hillside.  Not for the faint of heart.  Farah just checked it out & trucked right on by, as did the other three horses.

On the bridge over a tributary~

There were small tributaries feeding into the river in several places.  Most would have been small water falls in a normal year - but it was still really nice to see water still flowing!  All the bridges were concrete & sound to cross.  A couple deep holes, a trail not to be taken for granted.

Large Bridge

 This is where we turned back, at just under 5-miles.  Farah loved it!  She was on best behavior, it had been a while since we'd found somewhere new.  Now I'm anxious to do some more exploring up here.  It's basically an in/out for now - but I can see a point-to-point in the future - all the way to Spada Lake!

Pat on Cam with Destry

Pat, decided to take her saddle off Destry & put it on Cam for the rest of the ride back!  Only the mare's second or third time under saddle, first time on the trail & she did just Great!  Of course a good trainer can always make it look easy & Pat hasn't lost her nack!  :-)

End of the Ride~

Cam came back totally relaxed & looked happy to be out & about.  Great way to end the ride. 

Our Route & Spada Lake

Someone told Pat that it's about 30-miles south to Monroe, Spada Lake looks closer, I'm thinking maybe 15 or 20-miles.  Definitely a place I want to go back to & explore some more - with a good map!
P.S.  My new saddle came today!  I'll be opening the box Soon!  

Ancient Lakes Area ~

Away we Go!

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!

My "New" Ride & Lord Hill

When you wait four months, have your hopes up & then finally get your saddle back & it's not going to work...  Thinking of the money I've wasted on this quest & some of the ridiculous costs that were included in the rebuild - like $75. for new saddle strings?  Well... It put me in a funk...

Looks like new~

It will make someone a fine trail saddle, but for the kind of riding I do - it's time to give up.  I could have titled this post - the Endless Saddle Quest but so many other riders have been there/done that.  No one would even bother to Read it!   I have to hope - yet again - that someone will find it, try it & enjoy the security of that seat.

Linda's Saddle - my "new" ride~  Made by  McClintock Saddles

With it out to be sold, I'm back riding the saddle above.  Admiring it, as we sat out enjoying a perfect evening last night - if I have Everett build me another - I think it will be styled after this one.  It almost has a Calvary look to it.  A Clean, neat, light weight, deep seat, free swinging fenders & the very Best Part?  It works!  I tried the Supracore seat saver today & that was a Big mistake!  Too much saving can be as bad as not enough!  We'd gotten it on tight enough - that I couldn't take it off on the trail.  Since I'd been using my EZ stirrups, I'd taken them off to put back on my saddle, not expecting to be using it again.  I'd not marked for stirrup length & adjusted that at least three times!  (Lynn was very patient with me!) 

Something else you'd think I'd have learned by now...   If it's not broke - don't fix it!  I decided to put the foam inserts into the Woolback pad.  Farah let me know that she Did Not like that!  I didn't like it either - I'd lost the close contact feel & stability that the Woolback alone gave.  (I'm going to use that as an excuse for her less than ideal performance today.)  (Even though I still worry about the impact of our fall.)

Typical of many of the Lord Hill paths~

Since both Lynn & I have both had to work to find our riding time lately - we met in the middle at Lord Hill.  Not one of my favorites, it's at least mostly shady & the day turned hot & muggy in a hurry.  The bugs were out in force - Farah was constantly tossing her head at one annoying bug that wouldn't leave us alone.  I pulled out my purse sized spray & that finally deterred the bugs for the remainder of the ride.

New trail~

 After all the times we've ridden here - today we got off on a road/trail that hadn't seen much use.  We ended up somewhere that we didn't recognize, with no sure way back to the park - so turned back.  It was pretty though!  I found that I now am on high alert going over terrain that I'm unfamiliar with - gee - wonder why?

By the end of ten-miles, with a sore seat, sore knees & with Farah unhappy with the pad - we were ready to be done. Once home, Farah got a bath, after which she took off down the pasture head up, tail in the air & light as a breeze on her feet...  Really?    I don't think I need worry Any more over the fall!  Butch put the sheepskin seat saver back on the saddle.  We had the rear pack so tight that it took him to get it loose.  As no truer words have been spoken - at least as they relate to me...  I'm Fine, I'm Ridin'~

Tough Enuf~

On the trail/road

I didn't want to ride today, I've not wanted to do much of anything...  I still hurt.  When I called Linda - she was already in the saddle!  Lynn had family stuff to do - so I just bucked up, saddled up & headed up to Victoria.  Just as we got out on the trails, the sun burned through the cloud cover, but it was off/on again sun - which was fine, since it was a humid day.

The Goatsbeard is now in bloom~

I think it's a beautiful plant, nice leaves & the blooms are so pretty & give a different look to the woodlands.  I used my Supracore pad today, under my saddle & Farah again seemed to be moving out really well.  What a nice feeling it is to be sitting correctly in the seat, not tilted to the front, as I had been for so long. 

Farah enjoying the grass~

Even with my stopping a couple times to adjust the saddle & check how it was sitting - we made good time.  I found that mounting, annoys the big muscle that must have been pulled in our fall on my left side.  I have a new hard lump at the end of my collar bone on the right side - the side that hit the ground & that's sore too - but heck - I'm Ridin'!

Cloud cover low over the foothills~

The clouds dropped low as we were leaving the top of the ridge.  Then we headed down to the lower section & looped around.  The Salmonberries are So ripe & rain washed!  Farah did some very nice sidepassing so that we could both partake!

Newly dozed road

On our way back, we found this fresh work being done, where there was an old logging road before.  I'd tried to take it once & couldn't get through.  No idea what's up - but I'm sure it will have something to do with more logging.  If it opens up a new route - that would be good too!

We were back at the trailer by 6 - late for us, a few vehicles parked in the trailer parking - all with bike racks - guess none of them can read...  Too tired to write my usual "friendly" note about not parking there.

Someone was Bad...

On our way up~

We'd planned to Ride!  Lynn called early to tell me it was raining in Monroe.  We had some sprinkles - but the sky was actually getting lighter!  Clouds were lifting - so we met up at the Glass School parking area.  Two small cars were taking up enough space for four rigs, so I pulled the nose of the Bronco right up to the nose of one of the small cars.  The occupant was still inside & wisely decided to leave!

Day trying to clear off~

By the time we'd reached the Monument - there were still plenty of clouds, a cool breeze coming off the mountains - but really the nicest day we've had in a while.  Farah was horrible...  I'd hoped for a gear down today - since she'd had anesthetic for her teeth & the flu vaccine yesterday.  But no - she's also cycling again - & was so high that I was off walking within the first mile.  At one point she elevated totally off the ground - we were airborne & I was getting mad!

Farah looks at Lake McMurray

I told Lynn that I wanted to continue down the road that I'd taken a couple weeks ago & see how much farther it went.  It went further than I'd thought & it actually looped down to the lower road that parallels the eastern boundary of the tree farm.

Road at the bottom~

  I recognized where we were from another time I'd done some exploring & knew that we'd have the big climb back to the top.  Sophie was in her best "work" mode - totally trying to ignore all the head tossing, threats, etc. that Farah was throwing her way.  We hit the start of the climb at a trot.  It didn't take Farah long to realize that if she wanted to keep up, she had to Stop the antics & settle down to business!  We did some galloping too & once at the top, she was covered in sweat & even had some foam on her chest!  Yes!  Success!

After the bath~

By the time we got home, it was still warm enough & light enough that I decided to give her a bath & wash away all that sweat!  Someone by now realized that maybe she should have conserved some of that energy - kicked back & enjoyed her bath.  She did let Butch know, when he pulled in behind us, with the pout - that she'd been mistreated!  :-)

Redmond Watershed Preserve~

Ice on the Wetland

The morning was cold, but not as cold as it has been!  I was driving down to ride with Lynn & two new to me friends - Mary & Susan!  By the time I pulled in, even though we were in the shade of the tall trees - the day was Warming!  Two of the horses with us were both just getting back on the trails after different issues they're recovered from.  With the trails still very slippery in places, we set a reasonable pace.

Beautiful Home

 We'd ridden past this home last week & today I had to take a photo.  Such a beautiful place with the covered parking for an auto on the front.  Something like carriages used to pull under while their passengers disembarked in the past.

Before long, the day warmed enough that I actually felt warm for the first time in days!  The jacket came off & the temperature was perfect!  We decided to do the four-mile loop on Redmond Ridge & found the trails there in Great shape - perfect for some good trotting!

15-miles of loops

Just as we were returning to the start of the loop, we were jumped by at least 8 to 10 dogs - all off leash!  A lady was with them - obviously someone being Paid to dog-sit.  She was yelling for the dogs, trying to get through the brush that separated the trail we were on - from the clearing around the drainage basin.  These dogs had No Clue & were barking & one big poodle type actually tried to run right at Farah - who was in the lead.  Luckily for us, all three horses were dog savvy & didn't kick out.

After I was done yelling at the woman for her stupidity - I did wonder what the dogs owners would think - if they were returned with broken bones from a well placed & well deserved kick!  Once we came into the open, I rode up to see where the dogs had gone & watched as they were quickly loaded into a van parked by the back of an industrial building.

The day seemed to fly by - Lynn had to remind us that we hardly had time to get back to the trailers before dusk.  I wouldn't want to cross those busy roads in the dark!   We covered 15-miles again & felt very lucky to be getting in such good riding so late in November!