Cienega Canyon Ride

This was our first time riding at Cienega Canyon since last summer and it was also the first time riding Cienega Canyon since Apache had her right eye removed in April of this year. There are many sections of trail in the Cienega Canyon Trail System that are narrow with steep drop-offs, so I wanted to hold off on riding these trails until I had worked with Apache on moving off of my leg...especially my right leg, her blind side.
Apache and I met our riding companions, Ginny and Gin, at the Cienega Canyon trail head parking area.

I led the ride, although Ginny and her horse rode in front since they move out faster.

It was a beautiful day and Apache and I enjoyed ourselves.

The trails are rarely ever flat in the Cienega Canyon area. But it's an interesting and sometimes challenging trail system. Horses have to pay attention to terrain changes, along with rocks and roots beneath their feet.

Whenever I ride Cienega Canyon, I always take the detour to the aptly named Tee Pee Trail, which was created by neighbors that live beside the National Forest.

Ginny and her mare beside one of the many "tee pees" alongside the trail.

It's a fun little trail with lots of tiny hills and a smooth surface which make it perfect for trotting.

And of course, all the whimsical tee pees.

One of my favorite trails in the Sandia Mountains.

Part of the Armijo Trail travels through tall pine trees and is mostly smooth and flat.

It's incredibly beautiful with wildflowers and butterflies and the sun leaving dapples through the trees.

And there are a few sections perfect for trotting or cantering.

My happy-to-be-out-in-nature-riding-my-horse selfie!

This is a pretty steep, rocky section to climb up or down.

I really like this connector trail, but there are a lot of dead and dying trees that will need to be removed soon.

I am always enchanted by unusual, sculptural trees like this one.

But I especially enjoy riding through the thick, lush green of Sulphur Canyon.

It's like riding through a green tunnel.

So beautiful!

 

Then there is a lovely, little, shade-covered asphalt pathway that leads to the picnic area.

Where we tied up our horses so we could enjoy a leisurely lunch break. Apache enjoyed a green snack as well.

Our horses enjoying a rest while the humans enjoy lunch.

Gin and my Apache mare.

Ginny and I chose a tree to lean against for back support instead of a picnic table. 

 

After lunch, we rode up the forest service road to our horse trailers.

I didn't take any photos while riding on the steep, narrow sections of trails because I needed to stay focused on communicating with Apache and keeping her away from the edge of the trail using my right leg. Apache did great even though I got a little nervous a few times. She moved off my right leg perfectly and we never fell off the trail..haha!

What a great day!

NOTE: It was a good thing we rode Cienega when we did, because just a month later, the Forest Service closed Cienega and all the trails and Picnic grounds in that area due to bear activity. Cienega will remain closed until late Fall.