Cienega Canyon Ride

I invited a couple of riding companions to join me at Cienega Canyon in the Cibola National Forest. We met up at the equestrian parking trail head and saddled and up and mosied on down the trail.

Apache and I in the lead....

There is nothing I love more than riding my Apache mare in the mountains surrounded by beautiful green trees.

The forest service volunteers had recently rerouted the Armijo trail and I wanted to find the original trail and see if it was still rideable, because that section opens up to the TeePee Trail, once of my favorite trails.

Apache and I searching for the old trailhead.

Aha! I found it! And I found the Tee Pee Trail, too! The TeePee Trail is a fairly secret trail, not on any forest service maps and not on public lands. It was built by the surrounding neighbors and decorated with fun and whimsical TeePees!

Dana and her handsome boy Blaze.

Apache and I beside one of the TeePees.

There are at least 15 TeePees on this beautiful little trail that winds through the forest and travels up and down gentle hills.

The TeePees come in all shapes and sizes.

This is a fun trail to trot up and down the hills!

Judith and her boy Bucket.

Such a fun trail!

Dana and Blaze next to another TeePee.

Trail Selfie!

So beautiful surrounded by tall ponderosa pine trees!

The trail travels mostly through the shade and through a meadow or two.

Apache, the One Eye Wonder Horse and I taking a little rest.

I decided to make a loop riding through the picnic ground in Cienega Canyon, alongside the Cienega Creek.

There were several bridges to cross.

One of the bridges we crossed.

Apache and I crossing another bridge.

Crossing another bridge over Cienega Creek.

Apache and I crossing the bridge.

Riding up through Cienega Canyon, there is this impressive boulder to ride around.

Riding up the boulder steps on Faulty Trail.

Up, up, up we go.

Judith and Dana bringing up the rear.

Narrow, steep trails and my One Eye Wonder Horse rocks it!

Enjoying the jaw-dropping views across Cienega Canyon north towards the Manzano Mountains.

Just enjoying the vistas.

One of my favorite trees, an Alligator Juniper.

Dana and Judith riding down the Horse Bypass Trail.

Trail Selfie!

Post-Ride Corona Beers!

Dana even brought lime juice for our Coronas!

Me and Dana and our awesome horses!




Life is Good!!

Cienega Canyon Ride

First time back in the saddle after a self-imposed 9 week hiatus that I had taken to accomplish some home repair and maintenance work.

Cienega Canyon is probably not the best choice for a first ride after having some substantial time off, but I did it anyway, and yes, I was very sore after the ride for a couple days.

But the group that I rode with was great and it was small, just the way I like it.

Apache was especially happy to be back out on the trails again. I believe she was bored. She had even started tearing the bark of some of the trees in her pasture. She only does that when she's bored or frustrated.

The weather was absolutely beautiful with abundant sunshine and blue skies.

Our ride leader even led us on a reverse route, so I  got to ride Apache on the hop-down boulder, but we instead....hopped up! That boulder can be a bit nerve racking hopping down because you feel like you are stepping out into the wide open air of the canyon over 200 feet below. And then just as you hop down, your horse has to make a sharp left turn to stay on the trail. And since Apache is blind on her right side, I was relieved not to ask her to negotiate that particular obstacle, especially on our first ride after having 2 months off.

I did manage to turn around and capture one photo of the rider behind us, just after Apache and I had hopped up the boulders.

It was definitely a lot less scary hopping up, than hopping down.

I also enjoyed riding with a couple friends on this ride, that I hadn't seen for a while. We chatted and caught each other up while we rode.

Apache was so happy to be out on the trails that she was more forward than her usual slow-poke relaxed pace. We had no problems keeping up with everyone.

And we even led the group for about 20 or 30 minutes.

At one point we had to bushwhack off trail because a tree was blocking our path. Apache was so eager to keep moving that she didn't even want to stand still. Pretty rare for my girl.

I loved riding among the tall ponderosas.

Trail Selfie!

We rode a fun 8 mile loop and were out for almost 3 hours. 

Riding back to the trail head parking area.

Apache enjoying a cool drink of water post-ride at our trailer.

Life is Good!!!

Cienega Ride in December

In Decemeber, my friend and I decided to haul up to Cienega Canyon to ride. 

Dana and I Trail Selfie

Me and Apache the One Eye Wonder Horse!

Trail Selfie!

Dana and Blaze...blazing trail!

It was a bit chilly in the shade, but the leftover Fall colors were beautiful.

Riding on the south facing, exposed trails was warm in the sunshine.

Loving Life Trail Selfie!

I always enjoy riding with my buddy Dana. We like to take turns leading and following.

Up we go!

I'm so grateful that Apache listens to my right leg on narrow trails with steep drop-offs. These kinds of trails can be butt-pucker experiences even without a one-eye horse. haha!

Here we come!

The Forest Service and trail volunteers have been doing a lot of work to maintain these trails so nicely.

When we dropped down into Sulphur Canyon, it was bitter cold! The canyon was almost entirely in the shade of trees and sits down low in between steep hillsides.

It was cold but still very beautiful!

Even without leaves on the trees, these trails are still pretty.

I love riding in the mountains most of all!

Dana and Blaze, practicing a bridge crossing in Doc Long Picnic Grounds.

We really enjoyed our December ride and we we're so grateful that snow hadn't closed the Cienega trails yet.

Apache says, "Let's Go Home....The End!"

Life is Good!