A few weeks ago, my riding buddy Paula and I decided to ride in the Cibola National Forest of the Sandia Mountains, just 20 minutes from my house. We chose La Cienega Trail because the equestrian trailhead has a huge parking lot, restrooms and is easy to access.
We normally ride down into the La Cienega Picnic Grounds and access the trails there, but we decided to try out the Cienega Horse Bypass Trail this time, even though we had been told by friends that it was very steep and rocky in places.
The trail was pretty rocky.
But the views were beautiful as we rode down into the canyon on the steep trail.
I didn’t take many photos from that trail because it was very steep, rocky, and narrow with many knee knockers and face scratchers, so it was important to pay attention.
But when we arrived at the bottom of the canyon, we soon found the secret path that leads to the Tee Pee Trail…one of my favorite local trails!
Along this trail that stretches only about a mile and a half, there are over 20 tee pees built of branches, alongside the trail.
I love my Apache mare!
Soon we began climbing into the mountains, where the ponderosas provided welcome shade and cooler temps.
For the most part the trail had been cleared of fallen trees and logs across the path. But in some sections, there was a a tree or two that required those who were riding taller equines to dismount to fit underneath……….
Apache and I had no trouble riding beneath this tree.
I was thrilled when we finally arrived at The Thong Tree!!!
Thong Trees were created by Native Americans, with a piece of leather thong or strap tied to a young sapling and pulled down to the ground, so it would grow in a specific direction, pointing to an important location in the area, usually water.
And this Thong Tree points to Cienega Springs!
We were happy to arrive at the Springs so we could water our equines and settle in for a rest and some lunch.
Apache knows the drill and always relaxes and takes a nap when she is tied up during a trail ride.
I brought mini-bottles of wine and set them in the creek to chill.
I packed us a lunch of turkey wraps, cookies and wine. It was wonderful sitting beside the spring-fed creek, listening to it gurgle and babble as we ate.
Wine with lunch on a trail ride? You betcha! Life is Good!!
Just being silly!
Time to mount up…and share a cookie!
Before heading back the way we came, we decided to explore a different trail.
It was very green and lush because it traveled below the springs.
It got very thick and became impassable after about 500 feet.
So we had to turn around and climb back up.
And then continue on our way………………….yep…………..life is good!
Riding back past The Thong Tree again….from a different angle. The trail travels right beside it.
A fork in the trail….which way do we go?
Gorgeous views below us. These are the South Mountains, which I can see from my house.
We do this a lot! I take a picture of her while she takes a picture of me. Pretty funny!
Riding back along the Tee Pee Trail…………………
We returned through the Cienega Picnic Grounds instead of the Horse Bypass Trail, as it would have been a very steep and tiring trail for our already tired equines. This route is still very pretty and we rarely ever see cars on this road.
When we got back, we watered our equines and let them munch some grass while we untacked.
My new batwing chaps got a real workout this day and I was grateful to have them to protect my pants and legs from all the branches and knee knocker trees.
It was a great day! Life is Good!!!!
The End!!!!!
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