Cienega Canyon Ride

Since I am very familiar with the trails in and around Cienega Canyon, I was asked to lead a ride in Cienega Canyon on July 4th for another New Mexico Chapter of Back Country Horsemen.
I didn't organize the ride, so I had no idea how many people would be showing up or what style of riding everyone wanted to do. So, I had a bit of trepidation about the day. But that didn't stop me from decorating Apache and I for the holiday!

We all met up at the Cienega Canyon Equestrian parking area.
Apache and I ready to head out on the trails.

There was an old married couple in the group who were misinformed and believed that I was going to lead them up to the Crest Trail, since they had never been up there and had no idea to get there. But that route from Cienega is a very challenging ride, with steep drop offs and narrow trails, not for beginners. And I was not sure how many novice riders we had in the group. And I follow the rule that a ride's difficulty and speed should always be based on the least skilled rider.
Well, come to find out we did have two novice riders, in fact, one of them was on her very first trail ride ever.
So, I made the right choice, but the sour grapes old married couple in the group weren't happy. Oh well, if they want to know how to reach Sandia Crest, they can do their own trail research and figure it out themselves. Or leach onto someone else to guide them up the mountain!

I decided to share one of my favorite trails in Cienega: The TeePee Trail.  

So named, for obvious reasons!

Unfortunately, the majority of riders didn't seem all that impressed with the magic and uniqueness of this special trail, and just raced on through. So sad. And one of the reasons, I try to avoid doing group rides.

Apache and I weren't going to let anyone rain on our Fourth of July parade! We just did our own thing, way in the back and enjoyed the nature, peace and quiet and beauty all around us.....while everyone else raced along, seemingly oblivious to where they were.

We did jump down the stone steps into Cienega Canyon. Some people are intimidated by these steps, because there is a steep drop-off on one side and the trail is very narrow.

It was a good thing, I didn't take that old grouchy married couple up to the Crest Trail after all, because two riders in the group were nervous enough about those stone steps and narrow trail with steep drop off, that they decided to dismount and walk their horses down that section.

There were enough trail challenges for the novice riders as well as the more seasoned riders, on the trails around Cienega Canyon.

   

   Someone suggested taking a group photo, so here we are. Apache and I second from the end on the left. There were ten of us: two guys and eight gals, including the photographer.

One of my favorite trails in the Cienega Canyon area, is Sulphur Canyon. It's so lush and green with dense tree tunnels to ride through.

Sadly no one except the beginner rider commented on how pretty that trail was. Such a shame, too, because over the next year, the Forest Service will be doing a major tree thinning project in that area and the canyon will be greatly changed.

When we got down to Doc Long Picnic Grounds, I invited everyone to ride across the wooden bridge...for no other reason except that it's a fun trail challenge that not every horse gets to do very often, or at all.

 

We stopped for lunch and a rest in the picnic grounds.

The organizer of this ride and one of the leaders of the other BCHM Chapter.

After we stopped for lunch, we waited for everyone to get back in the saddle so we could continue our ride. Apache and I look tiny next to that big black and white mare.

 

     

Apache was eager to get going.

 

 My Fourth of July trail selfie

Apache was awesome that day and we had a nice time, even though I'm not fond of riding in big groups, especially when they seem more interested in getting somewhere in a hurry, but they don't appreciate nor enjoy the journey. Riding with them felt more like riding a roller coaster thrill ride. For me, trail riding gives me the opportunity to be out in nature. And nature refreshes and lifts my soul and gives me peace and joy. The experience is something to be savored and enjoyed, not rushed through. 

I love my mare and the most important part of trail riding for me is spending time with my trail partner, Apache.