Fourth of July Canyon Trail Ride

 

Just 5 days after my last visit to ride in the Manzano Mountains at Fourth of July Canyon from the Albuquerque Trailhead, I went back again.

This time I was guiding the ride for my friends Paula, Colleen, Loeta and my sweet friend Latana, who had driven up from Las Cruces, NM. 

Getting tacked up…..

 

 Latana drove up with her lovely mule, Lilly, to stay at my house for the weekend so I could share some of my favorite trails with her.

 

 I was excited that my dear friend Colleen was able to join us, as she is rarely ever able to get away from her duties managing 4 Winds Equestrian Center.

Colleen and her beautiful mare, Pepper. 

 

Once we got out onto the trail, I was most amazed at how much brighter, colorful and vibrant the Fall colors had become in just 5 days.

 

                           Paula, Loeta, Colleen, and Latana. 

 

In guiding our ride, and remembering the steepness of the counter-clockwise route, I made the decision to travel the route in a clockwise direction instead. I had hiked about half of the route, the previous year, in that same direction, and I remembered that it was not too steep.

                   Latana and Lilly heading uphill.

 

The two marvelous mule ladies, Latana and Paula, and their awesome mules, Lilly and Tecumseh. 

 

Loeta, Colleen and I (and my pretty girl Apache mare)

Another big change from the previous week’s ride on these same trails, was the temperature. It was about 15 degrees cooler with a chilly breeze. So we bundled up to stay warm.

Loeta all bundled up, riding her Paso Fino gelding Profe. 

 

When we found a patch of sunlight, we were happy to leave behind the cool shade of the tall ponderosas to warm up.

 

                         Paula and Latana 

 

                       Colleen says, “Brrrrrr” 

 

Even though I was riding the same trail, just 5 days after I rode it last, traveling in the opposite direction made it feel like a different trail. 

 

We met a hiker on the trail who offered to take a group photo of us.

                Latana, Me, Paula, Loeta, and Colleen

 

Between the vibrant Fall color and the glorious sunshine, it was truly a terrific day…..

                              Loeta and Colleen

Apache was her perfect wonderful self, like usual. I think she was grateful we took the trails in reverse, too, as she didn’t have to work as hard hauling me up steep trails.

I think she was enjoying the beauty of the trail and Fall colors, too.

 

I’m pretty sure all of us were enjoying the beautiful Fall colors.

Colleen and I, and our wonderful ponies, surrounded by vibrant colors!

 

Another really nice thing about riding the trail in reverse was that we reached the lunch spot in about an hour and half. From the other direction, it took us about 2 1/2 hours to reach our lunch spot, and my friends were ravenously hungry and ready to just stop anywhere to eat.

Dismounted and digging our lunches out of our saddlebags, ready to chow down! Me, Paula, Colleen, and Loeta.

But this special, hidden lunch spot that I had discovered last year is too awesome not to hold out for. The views out to the east are incredible, and the meadow is below the Crest of the Manzano Mountains, out of the cold wind.

Paula taking photos, enjoying the views.   

 

Latana and Lilly enjoying our lunch stop beneath Mosca Peak. 

 

Apparently a bear thought that our hidden lunch spot  was pretty special, too. He left behind a pile of scat. 

 

Thankfully we never saw any big furry beasts so we were able to relax and enjoy our lunch.

 

Latana and Miss Lilly with west side of Mosca Peak behind them.

 

Apache and I on top of the Manzano Mountains, above 9, 000 ft elevation.

Beautiful views surround friends, Loeta and Colleen.

 

Latana and Lilly lead the way uphill.

Letting the horses enjoy a snack while surrounded by beautiful views.

 

Apache and I with the east side of Mosca Peak behind us.

 

                    Funny horse butt photo………

 

Paula and Latana waiting for me at the bottom of a hill.

 

Another group photo, taken by Latana.

                 

Paula, me, Colleen (and her laughing horse Pepper), and Loeta (Apache looks like she was asking Pepper, “What’s so funny?” 

 

This was one of my most favorite sections, a mostly flat, tree covered, colorful trail. At time it felt like we were riding through a beautiful tree tunnel. Even though we were only about 1/4 mile from the trailhead and trailer parking area, Apache slowed down and seemed to be soaking in all the beauty of this section. 

 

And this is one of my favorite photos from our ride. (And yes, I was singing, “The Hills are Alive…..with the Sound of Music!….lol!)

 

 

                                          Life is Good!