Gutierrez Canyon Ride

One day this past summer I invited my friends, Gin and Ginny to join me for a ride at Gutierrez Canyon.

One of my friends took a photo of me pointing out where the radio towers are located up on Sandia Crest.

Just about every time I ride in Gutierrez Canyon I discover a new trail that has been recently completed. It's like receiving a new Christmas gift!

This beautiful stone bridge was built mostly by volunteers. It's sturdy enough for horses to walk across it.

Most of the trails are narrow, but are wide enough for good trail horses to travel on.

I have enjoyed riding and hiking at Gutierrez Canyon Open Space for over 8 years now. It's close to my house and has easy access with a huge parking lot of horse trailers.

Trail Selfie!

Apache and I leading the way! My friend Gin taking the photo from behind us.

The trail planner/designer/builder, Jim Sattler has done an impressive job at making them truly enjoyable to explore, with gorgeous views and beautiful nature all around.

I always enjoy seeing the "green-side" of the Sandia Mountains, Many people living in Albuquerque, on the west side, rarely, if ever get to see this beautiful green side of the Sandias.

Some of the trees were left a little too close to the edges of the trails when the trails were built, which creates knee-knockers. A patient, obedient, trail savvy horse is best when winding through these sections of trail.

My friend Ginny leading the way up ahead.

We stopped for lunch at my favorite lunch location in the canyon. Apache knows our spot well and she expects for us to stop here every time we ride Gutierrez Canyon OS.

Me and Ginny enjoying a relaxing picnic lunch beneath the tall ponderosa pines. Gin was taking the photo.

And then we mounted back up again and headed down the trail.

Trail Selfie!

My friend Ginny's Friesian cross gelding and my Apache mare.

Beautiful views of South Mountain from the trail.

A couple of the trails, my son has helped build. This trail, in the photo below, was one of them, and was just completed this past summer. Notice the tree trunk on the left. The cuts were still fresh enough to have sap dripping from them.

Apache and I, with Gin behind us.

I love having new trails to ride in one of my most favorite local places to ride. I am so lucky to have such awesome trails to ride just minutes from my house.

In the photo below, we are enjoying the views to the south of Cedro Peak, the Manzanita Mountains and in the far distance, the Manzano Mountains.

On the way back we crossed the little stone bridge again.

Apache and I on the stone bridge.

Beautiful trails!

This section of trail in the photo below, is actually part of the John a Milne Open Space, which is connected to the Gutierrez Canyon Open Space.

 

Not very far from the trail head and parking area, there is a deep arroyo to ride through.

And then we're back at the parking area and our horse trailers.

Another fantastic day out on the trails with good riding partners and terrific horses!

Life is Good!