Golden Open Space Ride

On a gorgeous, sunny, warm January day, myself and 3 of my riding companions convoyed out to Golden Open Space for a ride under bright blue skies.

Apache and I led the ride since none of my riding companions had ridden there before.

Golden OS Trail Selfie!

Dana, Teresa and Judith

Riding down into the canyon.

Dana, Judith and Teresa enjoying the ride on red rock.

Narrow trails and drop-offs? Apache the One Eye Wonder Horse says, "No problem!"

Onwards and upwards!

We rode down into the lower canyon and then rode through the arroyo lined with tall red rock walls.

Beautiful red rock walls!

Judith likes to touch the rock walls, just like I do.

I was captured taking photos......

Teresa impressed by the beautiful high rock walls. There was even a bit of snow in shady spots.

Apache and I riding beside an impressive high rock wall...so high, only part of it could fit into the camera photo.

Lots of interesting trail obstacles to maneuver around, under, over and through.

Judith having fun with her boy Bucket.

A lot of great photo opportunities in Golden OS.

Fascinating slanted rock walls make for an awesome backdrop.

Time for a lunch stop surrounded by rock walls.

Exploring a side canyon in the BLM lands.

Unfortunately it ended at a high rock step-up...just a bit too high for our horses to jump.

Back the way we came...

Looking out and down into the little side canyon we had just ridden through.

Just sitting and enjoying the beautiful views, while our horses visit.

Amazing vistas!

Back at the trailer, unsaddling and a cool drink of water.

A special treat for my Apache mare.....

Nom, nom, nom....

Such a fantastic all-day ride!





Life is Good!!

Golden Open Space Ride

One beautiful Fall day a group of us decided to go ride at Golden Open Space. Since Apache and I have ridden there countless times, we were the trail guides.

Beautiful Sandia Mountains in the distance. 




The rugged Ortiz Mountains in the distance.



Trail Selfie, of course!

The views are always spectacular in Golden Canyon and the red rock is stunning.

The rock formations are very fascinating.

The trail twists and turns and hugs the edges of the rolling hills. They are a blast to ride!

We rode down here from up there.

We rode beside and above an arroyo.

The rocky cliffs are just spectacular!

We rode to a lunch spot and tied up our ponies.

Apache looked like she was posing. She was incredibly beautiful!

Our lunch spot in the red rock grotto. I was sprawled out with my back to the rock...nice and comfy.

After lunch......my good girl is always exactly where I left her.

I decided we would ride some of the BLM land attached to the Open Space.

The entryway into the BLM land....

There was still some gorgeous Fall color in the form of cottonwood trees.

Apache and I surrounded by yellow. 

Even though Apache and I were guiding the ride, we prefer to mosey and enjoy ourselves. Four of the members of our group had very excitable, high energy horses and they kept allowing their horses to dictate the pace and speed of our ride. So they were trotting and cantering out ahead.

It was rather annoying.

 I also prefer to ride with smaller groups, usually 3-4 riders, not 6 or more.

My trail selfie face looks annoyed, doesn't it?

On of my riding companions was riding behind Apache and I to keep her QH mare calm and eventually another rider fell in behind us, too, because her Arab mare was getting hotter and out of control trying to keep up with the other 3 riders allowing their horses to run back towards the trailhead.

Apache was a bit forward and eager, too, but I kept her rated down and under control and allowed her to only walk with a steady brisk pace. I was still able to enjoy the golden cottonwood leaves.

I love the way the trail designer and builders created the trail to meander through many groves of trees.

Looking down into the arroyo filled with undulating, twisting, turning rock formations.

Almost back the the trailhead.

Apache enjoying a drink of water beside her horse trailer.

Life is Good!!