On request of some riding buddies, I organized a trail ride in Guiterrez Canyon/ John A. Milne Open Space. We all met up at the trail head parking lot in Cedar Crest.
Apache waiting beside my horse trailer, ready to go.
I led everyone up the section that my son and I had helped build two summers ago.
The trail travels alongside of the west side of a mountain.
The views are incredible!
My riding partners were a little nervous riding along the edge of the mountain, but couldn't stop oohing and ahhing over the impressive views.
We could even see our trucks and horse trailers parked down below!
The trail is one of my favorites because of the views and also because of the how the single track twists and turns through the forest.
When we got up to the ridge top, we rode along the ridge for a short distance and then dropped down into the canyon on a beautiful trail that was just completed by Open Space volunteers 3 years ago.
They really did a great job building this section of trail with the way it hugs the side of the mountains while providing views into the canyon and towards the far south Manzano Mountains.
My riding partners seemed to be enjoying themselves, too.
While Apache and I led the way.
The trail travels all the way down to the bottom of Guiterrez Canyon.
Once we were in the bottom of the canyon, we were riding among a carpet of beautiful wildflowers.
The trail just continues to be beautiful in every direction you look.
A gorgeous white carpet of beautiful wildflowers spread out all around us!
Apache and I took a moment to enjoy the flowers and have our photo taken.
Once we had ridden through the bottom of the canyon, we continued to climb up to the top of the ridge again, and then rode along the ridge to the "Rock Climb" as I call it. It's a steep, very rocky section with a couple of rock steps for your horse to hop up.
One of my riding buddies climbing up the steep rock steps behind me.
Continuing up the steep section.
The views at the very top are magnificent!
Once we reached the top, we rode down the northern side of the ridge and down into the John A. Milne section of Gutierrez Canyon Open Space. In that smaller canyon there are several small meadows to ride through.
There are also several deep arroyos to ride across, down and back up.
Isn't the red ear bonnet on my riding buddy's Morgan gelding cute?
And one especially deep arroyo to ride through.
A happy, smiling riding buddy and her handsome Friesian gelding.
Another happy, smiling riding buddy and her beautiful Arabian mare.
And my beautiful, happy Mustang mare after an absolutely wonderful trail ride!
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