Arrowhead Ranch: David Canyon Trail Ride

Earlier this month, I was invited to ride some trails close to my house, here in the Manzanita Mountains of Central New Mexico.
These beautiful trails are only 15 minutes from my house and have quickly become my most favorite area to ride.

One of the aspects I love about this beautiful area, called David Canyon, is the variety of the trail terrain.
(My new friend Leeda, and my friend Paula)

The many trails that are in this area can be flat and sandy, gently rolling and lined with large boulders and ponderosa trees, steep and rocky with views of the surrounding mountains, winding across ridge-tops, or traveling through green meadows filled with wildflowers. There’s even a lovely wildlife pond along one section of trail.

I love it because it’s impossible to get bored on these trails. There is always something to see, maneuver around, over or through, and it’s fun to work through trail challenges and obstacles with your horse.

I also really enjoy riding beneath the tall shady ponderosa pines. They impart a sweet scent of vanilla to air and when the wind blows, the sound of their needles make a mesmerizing whispering sound.

And since the trails are in the National Forest, only hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers are permitted, so the experience is very peaceful and quiet, too.
Although, sometimes a mountain biker or two will zoom up in front of or behind, and Apache will hear them first. She is used to bikes and not bothered by them at all, so we just step off the trail, and wait for them to pass. And so far, every mountain biker we have come across has been very polite, either dismounting and walking past us, or riding by slowly while we greet each other.

This is my new friend Leeda. I met her through my friend Vicki. Vicki was supposed to join us on this ride, but her horse had gotten sick that morning, so we all went ahead and rode while she took her horse to the Vet. Thankfully her horse came through his illness ok and she is back to riding him already.
But I was glad to meet Vicki’s friend Leeda, because we had some things in common, like homeschooling and horses. She also knows David Canyon well since she lives less than 10 minutes away and rides their often. So she was happy to share her favorite trails with Paula and I.

Time to head downhill Apache…..

Apache was excited upon first glance of those beautiful green meadows down below us in David Canyon.

And soon we were riding down among all the green grass.

We made it to the intersection with David Canyon Road, an old 2-track forest service road which is a gorgeous ride right through the middle of the canyon. (More on that, from a more recent ride there, in my next post)

Paula and her handsome mule Tecumseh.

Of course, we stopped to let our horses enjoy a snack.

Apache couldn’t decide if she wanted to eat or just stand and enjoy the beautiful scenery. So, she did both!

Leeda and her mare at the intersection of Turkey Trot Trail and David Canyon.

We continued on Turkey Trot Trail…onwards and upwards.

The trail soon became rocky and steep as we climbed.

The trail traveled through narrow alleyways of mountain mahogany and scrub oak.

We twisted, and wound our way along the side of a mountain, negotiating around knee-knocker and head-banger branches and tree trunks.

We let our equines take frequent rests as we climbed.

At one point along the mountain trail we met a mountain biker, who was so happy to see our horses that he dismounted his bike and shared chunks of his fruit-flavored electrolyte bar with them. Apache thought it was very yummy!

Not long after we said goodbye to the nice mountain biker, we reached a beautiful open section with views stretching south towards the Manzano Mountains.

And then the trail climbed some more. There were also several rock steps and boulders we had to negotiate, too. Apache is a rock star on mountain trails and just travels over this terrain like a 4 x 4.

I also have to mention and thank my farrier again for not allowing me to shoe my mare 4 years ago. He knew I could toughen up my mare’s feet so she would never have to wear shoes. He didn’t want to see her feet become weakened from having nails pounded into her hooves. And he was right. Apache has tough, hard barefoot feet and travels over rocks like they’re not even there.

Apache still likes to stop and gaze out at the views, just like I do. She loves being in the mountains, too.

And upwards we climbed.

We finally made it to the top of the mountain where we enjoyed a brief lunch and rest, while our horses munched the tasty grass in the beautiful meadow.
(Notice the mountain biker coming up the hill, just to the left of Paula’s right elbow)

Then it was time to continue on down the trail.

We were riding a 7 mile loop and our highest point on the trail would be 7,800 ft elevation and our lowest point would be 7, 200 ft elevation.

This next section of trail was lovely as it traveled through the ponderosa pines down a ridgeline as it slowly sloped north.

We did some trotting along this trail, and I dropped my reins and focused on using my legs and seat. This was a lot of fun!

About 3/4 of the way around our loop trail we ran into some friends of mine, Jim and his wife Mary.
We rode together for about a 1/2 mile or so.

Then Paula, Leeda and I broke off the forest service road and traveled into the trees and explored the Turkey Trails.
I loved the names of these trails. Like this one below: Cajun Turkey Trail. So fun!

And this one: Wild Turkey Trail. Too bad I didn’t have any Wild Turkey in my flask! haha!

We had a wonderful trail ride at David Canyon and I know I will be doing lots more riding there in the future. There are many more trails to explore and so much beauty and nature to enjoy there.
But for now……..

The End