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 :-)

Haller Park to Nakashima - Centennnial Trail

North end of the Haller Trestle Bridge

I'd been wanting to ride the north section of the Centennial Trail & with all the rain I was hoping that the footing would at least firm enough to do some trotting.   I parked at the far side of the gravel parking at Haller & we started over the trestle.

North fork from the bridge~

 As I expected, the north fork was full of silt. The Stillaquamish - both north & south forks converge here & the water level was way up!  When you hear it rushing below you - it's a rush :-)

Convergence of the Centennial Trail & the Whitehorse Trail

It's just a short way from the Arch, to the elevated bridge that goes over the road the Quarry uses to access Hwy 9.

Looking down at the Quarry road, Whitehorse trail through the trees~

The Coalition thinks that this area would be great for horse trailer parking.  Easy access to both trails - but it's still a working quarry with trucks coming & going on the road.

Hwy 9 parallels the trail going north

It's noisy along this section, with the traffic that goes by on Hwy 9, but the footing is good & so is the scenery - especially this time of year with all the leaves coloring & falling!

Picnic table at the side of the horse path

 There are several areas where the horse trail actually splits away from the side of the paved path & it's really nice - but there aren't enough of them :-)

Bryant!

It's three miles from the bridge to the store at Bryant with car parking & a potty.  Just a short way further is the Hwy 9 crossing.  It's well marked with a Hawk system crossing signal that activates the flashing yellow lights.

The Sun came out!

Once across - you're on one of the prettiest sections of the trail.  Four-miles to go to the north end at the Nakashima Barn.

Heading north

It's a great stretch for moving out!  A homeowner along side has moved in some Alpacas' but they're on the far side of a small wetland.  Farah looked, but wasn't worried :-)

Just so beautiful!

It was just one of those days!  Even with the clouds, the fresh air & fresh country after all the rains was like riding along through a video to promote our state.

Crossing the creek~

Just as we were heading across, a Bald Eagle flew over our heads!  He was very low & circled us once before turning upriver & landing in a tree.

Pilchuck Creek

The creek is really going now too, I'm sure at one time it would have been full of Salmon, at least the Eagle was hoping for some!

We're at the Barn!~

I promised Farah our lunch break at the barn & again the sun was trying to break through.  I couple riding bikes had gone past us a way back & were resting at the barn too.  We had a nice conversation about the correct way to come up behind horses & they were very receptive & friendly.

Signage

From here, there's just one more mile of unimproved trail that ends again - at Hwy 9 & the Skagit County line.  It is what some sections of the trail used to look like before it was improved.

More of that Sunshine!

When the next sun break opened up - we were at the perfect place to enjoy it!

North end at Hwy 9

I'd thought about going up the road & through the gate to the tree farm, but Farah heard the truck about the time I did & I was happy that we didn't do that on this day.

Trucks coming out of the farm~

Looks like there's another area getting logged & hauled - though I didn't see it when I was up there last week.

Heading back~

We turned & started back - again - it's nice because the views are just stunning from either direction :-) 

Clouds moving in~

We were just back to the trail-head when the clouds started rolling in.  I almost thought I'd need my rain jacket.

Horse Crossing

Farah is so trail savvy now - that she crosses without my asking :-)  "OK, Mom, here's where we're supposed to go over there!"

Elevated section of the horse trail

There's a long section here, raised & seperate from the main trail that's nice for moving out.  I was amazed at how much the ground has settled in the past couple years since it was finished.

Back to the creek~

All too soon we were back, almost to the creek.

The creek~

I stopped here & sat on the bench for a few minutes, while Farah looked for clover.  My favorite spot on the trail.

Back at the arch~

 We stopped to check out our bricks - yes - they were still there!  Available for anyone who wants to purchase one & help to support the trails.  From here, I wanted to go down the Whitehorse a way to see how it was looking.

Homeless hut

Just 3/10ths of a mile down, we found this...  No one seemed to be around, but it was a mess, with trash everywhere & a fire pit dug into the trail again...  Now I've got to call to see what can be done about it.

Whitehorse heading east to Tin Bridge

The trail really needs work now, with the blackberries taking over, one tree down & another that's going down.  We turned back here.

Back over the trestle

On the stretch before the bridge, we'd stopped to talk to a man with the cutest Border Collie puppy!  Only ten-weeks old & So Darn Cute!  While we were talking, I felt Farah go on high alert!  I looked toward Arlington to see a group of at least 15 boys running toward us!  Farah was ready to bolt!  Never having been confronted with this kind of thing!  :-)  I dismounted & raised my voice to ask the boys to slow down & say something!  :-)  They finally realized what was up & dropped to a walk.  Farah let out a breath & deflated :-)

Hwy 9 bridge over the Stillaquamish

Once back at the park I checked the time & was amazed that it was already after 5 p.m.!  We checked out the river there too, before loading up to head home.

Long post - sorry - but I do what I can to promote these trails.  The more horsemen we have getting out there & in the public eye - will help us to keep our right to ride!  Join the Facebook pages for either or both trails & be sure to stay aware of what's going on in our neighborhood!

Sunny Monday~

Farah enjoys a long drink~

The morning started off a little overcast as Lynn & I were leaving the parking area at Bracken Rd.  We'd thought of doing a long section of the Centennial Trail, but I believed the weather report - saying that the day was going to warm up - shaded trails sounded nice!

Thistle in the clear-cut

We left going south out from the parking area.  There were three other ladies saddling up for a ride as we left.  Between Lynn & me - we can do a pretty good job of finding our way around now & ended up on one of my favorite trotting trails.  The sun finally broke through the overcast & the minute it did - the temperature went right up!

On the Whitehorse~

We decided to head over to the green valley for lunch, so started across Tin Bridge.  We were about 2/3rds of the way across when Farah made a weird move & it almost felt like she was going down.  Then she stomped & stomped again!  I heard Lynn say;  "Bees!"  Sure enough - the vibration of the horses crossing the bridge stirred them up from where they must be trying to build a hive under the wood planking - right in the middle!   Lynn & Sophie hustled across behind us - Sophie too did some stomping! I now have the phone number for the Centennial Trail Park Ranger - so plan to call him in the morning to see if we can get someone out to spray.

The trail was so beautiful - with the leaves blowing off the Big Leaf Maples right in front of us - it certainly smelled like fall - though the temperatures don't feel like it.

Green Valley

All was quiet at Cloverdale.  The mares grazed while we had our snack.  We turned back & crossed the bridge carefully - going along the edge - rather than in the middle & we could see the bees buzzing as we passed!

Lynn & the ever moving Sophie :-)

Back on the forested trails, we took a few that are getting overgrown again.  Farah was full of energy & at one point elevated her front end off the ground before breaking into a short gallop :-)  These days are so beautiful - but I think our Fall color won't be as brilliant as I'd hoped - since most of the trees have already lost a lot of leaves!

An Even Grand!

Farah & Connie

One horse, One rider, One Thousand Miles to date!  February of this year - when I joined the Distance Derby & started logging our miles - it seemed like a very lofty goal.  With the companionship & support of my long-time riding partner Joyce - Farah & I attained that goal on today's ride!  What a thrill!

The blue hole!

I've managed to maintain our position of fifth place on the leaderboard for a few weeks now, but can't help but be impressed with the riders who've been nipping at our heels!   There are only a couple of us riding one horse in the race & it's a real commitment to keep any horse sound as the miles continue to add up.  Shoeing has been a real issue for me, even at five week intervals, I didn't think we'd get through today's ride with all four shoes still on!   Justin is coming tomorrow & it's sure not soon enough!  

Between heaven & earth~

Yesterday, I was looking for some distance.  I knew how close we were & wanted to be riding with Joyce when the Garmin locked down those last few miles.  With a ride planned for today - even though it was raining, even though we had to start early & even though Farah's shoes were literally held on with a wing & a prayer - we were determined to get the deed done!  Before the end of the month, before the end of Summer & before my closest competition!  :-)

It was such an incredible day!  Which just goes to show that even if you start out with a purpose, you can be surprised at the beauty nature can throw your way!  It was Really Something to see!  The video above shows a little of how we felt somehow suspended both in space & in time...

Kitt's Trail + some exploring!

Now, back home - Farah gets a much deserved warm bath & tomorrow new shoes.  She's opinionated, bossy & classy too - but what means the most to me is her grit & determination.  Nothing phases her, she does her best to keep me topside & she's always eager to trot on! 

No, it's not AERC miles, nor Limited Distance miles, but they're Our miles & we've enjoyed each & every one!  I'm sure this is the most I've ever ridden in any given year & with the year far from over,  we both love heading back out to see what's over that next mountain!