Galisteo Basin Preserve Ride

On a beautiful, although windy and cold, January day, a small group of us convoyed up to Galisteo Basin Preserve to enjoy a ride under bright blue skies.

Me, Abby and Sandy

Sandy, Abby and Sandy. Bob was riding his mountain bike.

I was grateful for my fleece lined bandana! It kept my chin and lower face warm in the cold wind.

The trails are mostly flat and very easy at Galisteo Basin Preserve.

The trails are well-marked with signage.

GBP finally made the signs big enough to read from horseback.

Bob had ridden his mountain bike from the opposite direction, so at one point along the trail,we got to visit. Bob dismounted and laid his bike down and walked over to say hello.

Bundled up nice and warm, trail selfie!

Personally I find Galisteo Basin Preserve rather boring because horse back riders have been relegated to all of the flat trails and deep sand arroyos. Although the scenery is pretty and the trail is well-groomed, Apache and I prefer riding the high ridgeline trails that horses used to be allowed to ride. Unfortunately, the mountain bikers that helped build the GBP trail system decided that horses should be outlawed from any of the high ridge, view trails.

But there are a few sections of trail that have some small hills that provide some nice views.

And the contrast between red dirt and blue sky is pretty stunning.

And the abrupt transition from white sand to red sand is quite surprising. It kind of reminds me of Navajo Sand Paintings.

And I especially like trails that don't travel in a boring straight line.

We did have to ride through a very deep sand filled arroyo and that wasn't much fun. But I can't wait to come back when these cottonwood trees at the trailhead have some leaves on them.

Life is Good!

Galisteo Basin Preserve Trail Ride with Review

I rode Galisteo Basin Preserve on November 20, 2015 and I decided to write a review based on horseback rider's personal review. Mine.


Before riding at GBP, I was given a printable trail map from Karen Dennison, highlighted to show the approved horse trails, and I made sure to bring that with me because I was warned that mountain bikers have been complaining about seeing horses on certain trails that they designed and built only for hikers and mountain bikers.

But the map is also one of the issues that probably needs to be looked into.

1)Since none of the posted trail signs show any trail names, only numbers, the map should have the numbers printed much larger than they are, with less emphasis on the names.
Personally, I believe it would be much easier for trail users if the names of the trails are used and not the numbers.


As horseback riders we kept having to pull out the map and squint trying to locate and read the tiny, blurry numbers all while keeping our horses standing still and dealing with wind blowing the map around.
Trail names are just easier to read and remember than numbers are.

2)Trail Signage. There were a few small, faded, paper maps posted on short posts, but again, for horseback riders the signs are too low for us to see in detail without dismounting at every junction. And again, the numbers are just too tiny to read even for those of us old timers that don't need reading glasses.



In addition, we saw only one post that had a 'No Horses Allowed' sign at a trail junction, just below one of those small maps. And quite a few posts had no numbers, maps or signs on them at all. I am sure we ended up riding on a couple 'No Horses Allowed' trails, but we had no way of knowing without any signage and with the numbers on our map being too tiny to decipher.



As for our ride experience, we began our ride from the Cowboy Shack and rode to Trenza Overlook. But we had to turn around and ride back because, even though the map shows a loop trail, we rode around at the Trenza Overlook and could not find where the southern section of the loop picked up from the Trenza Overlook. We were disappointed that we had to do an out- and-back, especially on a basically uninspiring, dusty dirt road type of trail.






After we rode back to the Cowboy Shack we picked up the trail that travels southeast beside the arroyo. Again, no idea what trail it was because it had no number or name on the post.
This trail was pleasant and crossed the arroyo several times, but it eventually dumped us out onto the gravel covered Thornton Rd.



Not wanting to backtrack yet again, we traveled the road south for a bit, then we bushwhacked through the trees above the road until we finally arrived at Cottonwood Trail head, where we picked up a trail heading south and through an arroyo. We had given up trying to match the sign numbers to the numbers on the map by this time. We just wanted to enjoy our ride.




We turned off on a brand new trail and we all loved the single track and how it snaked it's way through the juniper and pinon trees with expansive views south and east. But we soon decided it was time for lunch and tied up our horses.



We were able to find a place behind some trees to get out of the wind so we could enjoy our lunch.



Afterwards we decided to turn around and head back to the Cowboy Shack because it was getting late in the day. We were all a bit disappointed because that new trail looked promising and we could see it beckoning to us far in the distance. But we had wasted so much time trying to follow a map that led us astray so many times, that we had to head home before we had even ridden more than a few miles.


I'm pretty sure we rode Annie's Amble back to the Cowboy Shack, and we all enjoyed it. The trail surface was smooth, the views were great and there were interesting things to look at, like large white boulders.....



a pond....



and an eroded arroyo leading to a small canyon.




We saw a few sign posts with numbers, but again, we didn't bother trying to match up post numbers to the tiny numbers on our map.
Looking at the map, I could see that all trails that branched off of Annie's Amble were off limits to horses so we didn't even bother. We could see the bike tracks on these trails, so we knew they were expressly for bicyclists, which was a shame because those side trails looked like fun and beautiful adventures compared to the flat, road-like trails we horseback riders have been delegated to.



I was aching to get up onto those high ridges like I had ridden in the past, but horseback riders are denied that opportunity in GBP now. Such a shame, too because up on the high ridges are where all the amazing views are.



Quite frankly, my horse and I soon grew bored with the flat, road-like trails, and the arroyos were too much sweat effort to ride in, with the deep sand. In fact, my riding partners' horses kept trying to lie down and roll in the deep sand, so we avoided riding in the arroyos as much as possible.



Ultimately we enjoyed riding at Galisteo Basin Preserve and look forward to riding there again, but we would much rather park at Cottonwood Trail head, even though Cowboy Shack parking area has been improved for trailers. There are more horse-friendly trail options from Cottonwood Trail head, and the parking area has an easy to navigate access loop so rigs don't get blocked in by other non-horse vehicles.

On Friday, we were the only two horse trailers parked at Cowboy Shack trail head, with only a few cars sharing the parking lot. But, on a busy weekend, with a few more horse trailers and more cars, there would probably be parking and access issues.










Also, while riding, we stopped and spoke with a hiker, who lives nearby and hikes Galisteo Basin Preserve often, and we asked him for directions on the Trenza Overlook trail. We mentioned that we wished that there were trails that we could ride up onto the ridges above us. And he answered, "You should just go ahead and ride up there. I see horses on all of the the trails every time I hike here. (So apparently, many horseback riders aren't following the GBP rules or trying to stay on the horse approved trails on the map and they just riding wherever they want).

In his opinion, "Horses should be allowed to ride everywhere in this preserve. This is old historic ranch land afterall. Horses and cattle were here long before hikers and mountain bikers."



I told him I agreed 100%.

But I also told him that after riding in Galisteo Basin Preserve with all of the changes with user access, I now understand how mountain bikers feel when they are denied riding on wilderness trails.
Even though I also mountain bike, I'm not skilled enough to bike the rugged, steep, narrow mountain trails that my horse navigates with ease, so I have never thought much about it.
But now that we horseback riders are the ones being denied access to the fun, challenging, more interesting trails up on the high ridges of the preserve, I understand how mountain bikers must feel. And it's not good.

Trail Ride at Galisteo Basin Nature Preserve

 

This past weekend, I was off on a grand horse riding adventure to southern New Mexico, so I’ve not been home to update my blog from last weekend’s trail ride at Galisteo Basin Nature Preserve. So, before I post photos and stories from this past weekend, I’ll go ahead and get caught up first.

Galisteo Basin Nature Preserve is a true treasure! It is over 13, 000 acres of protected public open space with over 50 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. I could not be happier that this beautiful place with it’s expansive views, varied terrain with easy as well as interesting and challenging trails is less than an hour north from my house. Because it is located in the high desert, and not in the mountains, these trails are perfect to ride during the winter.

Galisteo Basin Nature Preserve Trail Information and Trail Map 

 

 

Apache was very happy to be out on such beautiful trails. She seemed to enjoy the varied terrain, the relaxed pace, the warm weather, and being with her fellow horse friends, like my friend Kendra’s horse, Bailey Boy. 

 

My dear longtime friend, Loeta was with us, too, with her wonderful Paso Fino gelding, Profe.

 

These trails were just so fun to explore. There was something new and interesting to see around every bend and dip in the trail.

 

There were rocky, steep sections, and narrow, heavily treed sections, as well as flat, sandy areas perfect for trotting and cantering.

 

Because it was a Sunday and it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day, there were also many dog walkers and bicyclists, too. Many of the bicyclists also had dogs, and most were not on leashes. 

 

But all of the dog walkers and bicyclists we met on the trail were polite, friendly, and well-behaved. And we had no problems with anyone at all.

 

Everyone spoke to us as we rode past and most dismounted their bikes, too.

 

 

This bicyclist had two young cattle dogs and I was impressed with how he praised them as his dogs sat or stood calmly as we rode by.  

 

There was only one bicyclist that we encountered, that didn’t stop or dismount as we passed one another. (You can see him in the photo below, just above my right shoulder, up on the hill). To give him credit, he did speak to us has he rode by, but he did end up riding right through the middle of Loeta, Kendra and myself…and our horses. But all of our horses are trail savvy and are comfortable with sharing the trails with bicycles, and they didn’t even miss a step.     

 

I can’t even begin to explain how proud I am of my Apache mare. She took such good care of me all day, and it was easy to see that she was enjoying herself as much as I was. We did quite a bit of trotting, a lot of relaxing walking, and even a couple long stretches of cantering…and Apache was just wonderful.

Have I mentioned how much I love my horse? 

 

The five of us spread out along the trail and enjoyed the peace, quiet and beauty of the nature preserve.  

 

There were many areas that had some interesting terrain challenges that allowed you and your horse to work together in moving over or through them.

 

The trails have some unique natural features to enjoy, too.

 

I can’t even explain just how fun it was to ride these trails!

 

Most of the trails have been groomed perfectly with wide paths and no eye-gouging or knee-knocking trees. But there were still a few trees that seemed out to get us. (And one tree even grabbed and ripped a hole in my brand new, only-worn-twice, fleece breeches! More on that later)

 

Awwww! My Apache mare is so pretty! 

 

I really dislike nose-to-tail riding, so these trails were just so perfect! You can still enjoy your own ride, while riding with friends, and spread out along the trail. But you can still see one another, even with the varied and interesting terrain.

 

Apache enjoys the high places just as much as I do. We love to stop and stand while taking in the vast vistas that go on for miles and miles on all directions.

 

It was also fun to just hang out, talk and visit while up high on the ridges. The horses enjoyed it, too.

 

I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful horse and special friends to share all these amazing trails with.

 

 I’m also very thankful for a horse that is happy riding in the back, middle or leading out in front.

 

 

And I can’t even begin to explain how thankful I am to have a horse that I trust and feel safe with, and who takes such good care of me when I am on her back. 

 

Kendra feels the same way about her Bailey Boy, too!

 

 I’m also thankful to have a horse who has tough, strong, barefoot hooves that can travel across any terrain without becoming gimpy, sore, or chipped. I had Apache barefoot trimmed just two days before this Galisteo trail ride, and she rode over everything that those rugged trails had to give, without any discomfort.

Of course, my experienced and talented farrier, who has been my farrier for 6 years now, knows not to trim a horse so short that they are tender or sore. He says that when a farrier finishes trimming your horse, you should be able to ride as soon as he goes home. And I agree.  

 

 About five miles into our trail ride, we realized we were ravenously hungry for some lunch, so we found a comfortable location out of the wind, and tied up our ponies. It was great to sit and visit while eating the lunches we had packed in our saddle bags.

(Notice the huge, gaping hole on the left knee of my new fleece breeches. That was caused by a tree branch that grabbed my pants as we trotted through a narrow section of trail. Thankfully, the company that made my riding breeches, Saddlebums, has offered to repair them for me. Yay!) 

But I’m thinking, I need to look into getting me pair of chinks…what do you think? 

 

After lunch we headed back up to the high ridge trails. Even though we were riding with Marek and Marcella, they rode way out in front of us. They seemed to enjoy the feeling of having the trail to themselves, just as much as we did.

 

Apache seemed to enjoy having a bicyclist riding out in front of us for a while. She really picked up her pace as if she was chasing and working a cow.

 

Loeta’s Profe is the most amazing, laid-back, calm, trail-savvy, paso fino gelding. He takes such good care of his Loeta. He’s very sweet, too.

 

 And Kendra’s boy Bailey is a wonderful, level-headed horse, that likes to please and take care of everyone in his group, rider and horse alike. He loves my Apache mare.

 

I love being able to ride my horse with friends, while still feeling like it’s just me and my horse out in nature. These trails at Galisteo Nature Preserve are perfect for that kind of experience.

 

I know most people will think I’m crazy when I say that my horse loves the expansive views we get from being on high places, but I know she does. She literally will ask to stop when there are views. And we just sit and take it all in together. Even when our friends are still moving forward, Apache wants to stop and gaze out at the miles of terrain stretched out before us. I love that about my mare. I truly do.

And I must admit that I lost count of the number of times that we stopped just to enjoy the views that day. 

 

 See?? Just look at her ears while she’s looking out over the views. She loves it!

 

Kendra is my most favorite riding buddy. She and I and our horses all get along well and we travel at the same pace. We have similar goals while riding, and both of us like to have fun and be out in nature together on our horses.

 

See?? I told you she was a lot of fun! *grin* 

 

 See what I mean? I totally lost count of the number of time that Apache and I stopped to enjoy the views.

 

Gosh! It sure was pretty there! I don’t think either of us could stop smiling.

 

 Kendra and I both enjoyed the challenging sections of trail. I think I like them so much because they require you to be living in the moment, totally working with and focused on your horse and the terrain you’re working through.

 

You gotta watch out for those branches that try to grab you as you ride by.

 

Sometimes Apache tries to sneak in a scratch on these juniper trees as we ride past. I really discourage that because not only are there often sharp branches hiding within the softer bristles, but we often end up with broken pieces of tree stuck in the saddle or in my clothes.

 

We were steadily heading downhill as the sun dropped lower in the sky.

 

As we neared the flats, we trotted to catch up to our friends, Loeta, Marek and Marcella.

 

We still had a few hills to traverse around.

 

But soon we were down on the open, gently sloping trails. 

 

And with only about a mile left to go to reach the trailhead and parking area, we stopped to water our horses in one of several windmill tanks located around the nature preserve. This entire preserve used to belong to a ranching family, who donated it so their land would always be protected.

(Do you see the large school of orange goldfish in the water tank?) 

 

As we rode away from the water tank, I looked over my shoulder and took one last photo. I love windmills!

 

The last part of our ride was through a wide, sandy arroyo.

 

The section of arroyo we rode in twisted and turned for over a 1/2 mile.  We cantered almost the entire time, so I didn’t get anymore photos of the beautiful arroyo after this photo below.

 

Cantering through the arroyo with 4 other friends and their horses was very fun and exhilarating! A few times, Apache hinted that she would like to gallop, but I held her back.

At one time, she was very naughty and did a full, double barrel kick at Marcella’s horse because they ran up a little too close behind us. Marcella said that Apache’s hoof got terrifyingly close to her chin, and she thought that Apache made contact with her horse’s chest. But thankfully no one was seriously hurt.

Even though it was Marcella’s fault for allowing her horse to ride up so close to Apache’s butt, and I’m pretty sure Apache was in heat, I still don’t want my horse kicking out at anyone we ride with, especially while I am on her back. That’s just disrespectful of me and could hurt me, too. So, she got in trouble for that, and she knew I was unhappy with her. So for the remainder of our ride, she was on her best behavior.

Almost back to the trailhead parking area and windmill water tank.

 

                                         I love Windmills!

 

                           Kendra loves Windmills, too!

 

                                I untacked my pony………….

 

                                 And we loaded up

 

It was a great day and I can’t wait to go back again soon!

And here’s my GPS Map of our trail ride. We rode an 8.5 mile loop.  

Galisteo Basin Preserve Trail Ride

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