A few of my friends from my local riding club asked me if I would guide a ride at Golden Open Space, another wonderful local riding location that I've not only ridden many times, but also helped build trails with my son while volunteering with the Albuquerque Open Space.
And speaking of the Albuquerque Open Space.....check out the brand new upgrades and expansion project of the Golden Open Space!
That's my truck over on the right, with my Apache mare tied up beside it. I led our convoy to the trail head, but my friend Penny offered to haul Apache for me, so I didn't have to hook up my gooseneck horse trailer or load and unload all my tack into someone else's trailer. I had dinner plans that night and would have had to disconnect my trailer as soon as I got back home. Penny hauling my mare saved me a lot of time and extra work, so I really appreciated it. And she appreciated me guiding our ride that day, too.
So, that's Penny's horse trailer on the far left. That area where my truck and Penny's rig are parked is the designated horse trailer parking area, and permanent signage will be installed.
The area in the foreground will be the designated car parking area, and will have signage installed as well.
In addition, sometime in 2017, asphalt fines will be hauled in and laid out on the dirt parking lot, which will eventually compress and prevent the parking area from becoming muddy and covered in ruts when it rains or snow melts.
I had spoke with Jim Sattler, the Open Space director and trail planner/builder over a year ago, about enlarging the previous parking area, which was basically just a narrow berm that barely fit 2 small horse trailers, and none, if any cars were parked there. And trying to turn around was a challenge as well.
But now, as you can see, the parking area has been expanded, the fences pushed back about 30 feet into the Open Space property, and the Open Space gate and sign moved back, too.
When we arrived, we actually got to see Jim Sattler and a group of volunteers at work rebuilding new trail from the Open Space gate entrance, because the old trail had disappeared when the fences were pushed back. Jim Sattler told me that the parking area had just been enlarged less than a week prior! I could not have been more thrilled! And I made sure to thank Mr. Sattler for finally completing this much needed and appreciated project, which benefits all visitors, but especially horseback riders.
When we arrived there were about 10 cars already parked in the new parking lot, all trail volunteers and Open Space employees, so my friend Cynthia decided to park across the road from the Open Space parking area, so she wouldn't block anyone in, although there was still plenty of room for her to park in the lot as well.
Cynthia hauled my friend Margaret's horse that day. So, there were 4 of us in all.
After tacking up, we headed down the trail into the Golden Open Space.
My trail selfie with the Sandia Mountains silhouetted in the distance.
The trail travels along the edge of the canyon with jaw dropping views.
Oh! And the weather was perfect! When I left my house, it was windy and chilly. But at Golden Open Space, there wasn't any wind and there was only a slight chill in the air. Perfect for wearing layers.
Notice how far back Apache and I are from our riding companions. One of
the things I love about my mare is that she doesn't need to stick her
head in another horse's tail during an entire ride. She is independent
and brave and seems to prefer riding separated from other horses. Which
is great for me, because I have always disliked nose-to-tail riding.
We stopped for a photo op.
Margaret, on the far left, Penny, in the middle, and Cynthia on the far right.
And Margaret snuck a photo of me and Apache with her cell phone. (which explains the poor quality)
Soon after, we dropped down into the canyon and were surrounded by beautiful red rock and red dirt.
The trails in the canyon are not for everyone. They are very narrow and hug the edges of hillsides. For folks afraid of heights, and inexperienced horses, these trails might not be the best choice.
But I love them, and they are such fun trails to ride and explore. And my friends agreed!
And once you ride all the way down into the lower canyon, the trail is basically a rocky arroyo lined with tall red rock walls. It's truly spectacular!
Lots of rocks in this arroyo. I was glad that Apache was wearing her Cavallo hoof boots.
A lot of great photo opportunities in Golden Open Space!
I just love all the red rock walls in the lower canyon. Makes you feel like you are riding in Utah!
There are even puddles of water and sometimes even a flowing stream, as well as a few old cottonwood trees and some lush green grass, too.
We rode and explored for about an hour and a half and then stopped for a lunch break down in the lower canyon.
Apache always knows just what to do the minute I tie her to a tree. She takes advantage of our lunch break and takes a nap.
The ladies and their ponies.
Cynthia, Penny, and Margaret. (from left to right)
Cynthia brought lunch to share with everyone...and dessert, too!
We had chocolate cake and carrot cake!
And she even brought carrots for all of our horses!
Her pony wanted to try a bite of the carrot cake. haha!
After lunch, we turned around and headed back the way we came.
I am always mesmerized at all of the rock layers in these walls.
How lucky we are to live so close to this amazing area to do an easy day ride here!
Margaret took a photo of Apache and I with her cell phone. (which explains the poor quality)
Can't get enough of those beautiful red rock canyon walls!
Rock Wall Canyon Selfie!
We left behind the lower canyon, and twisted our way through the upper canyon as we continued to climb up towards the ridge.
Once we left the canyon behind and below us, we were rewarded with more breathtaking vistas.
By the end of the day, we rode for about 3 hours with a half hour lunch break.
After unsaddling our ponies, we loaded everyone up and started for home.
But along the way, a large, very impressive buck crossed the road right in front of me, as I was leading our convoy.
He literally, just mosied and took his time as if he owned the road.
I was in awe and wasn't able to grab my camera quick enough, until he had already crossed the road to the other side.
Check out that rack!
He seemed to think that if he couldn't see me, that I wasn't able to see him..haha!
But I went in for the ZOOM!
What a handsome fella! And what a fantastic gift after a fabulous trail ride!
Life is awesomely good!
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