La Tierra Trails Ride

In February, I decided to go on a road trip and explore the trails at La Tierra Trails in Santa Fe. It had been on my list-of-places-to-ride for about a year, and the weather had been pretty great, so, with maps in hand, I decided to head up there. I invited my riding companion, Judith to join me and we met in Santa Fe at a gas station and she followed me to the trailhead.

The Frijoles Trailhead horse trailer parking area was pretty nice. 

Below, you can see Apache waiting behind my horse trailer as there wasn't much space in between trailers to saddle up. Judith even pulled over past the railroad tie that delineated the actual parking space, just to give me some more room.

There is a lot of helpful signage and thoughtfully built horse gates at La Tierra Trails.

Just beyond the horse gate, was a very nice gazebo that would make a great lunch spot after a ride.

Apache and I led all day since we had maps and had a good idea of where we were going since I had done a lot of research before coming to the park. But there were signs at almost every intersection.
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains were beautiful with the snow dusting their crests.

Apache and I happy to be out exploring new trails together!

Gorgeous vistas towards the west.

Me reading the map and navigating, while Apache drives. I'm Apache's co-pilot.

I'm in love with trails that don't travel straight....notice the Sandia Mountains in the distance.....over 50 miles away.

Judith and her horse, Pinturo. Today we were both riding our pintos.

Between the ears views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Trail Selfie!

I always love curvy, winding trails. It's easier to take photos of folks I'm riding with.

Apache and I leading the way.

Taking a rest along the trail...I have no idea what I was thinking about. I think Apache my One Eye Wonder Horse was thinking about finding some grass to eat.

Pretty cool arroyo beside the trail.

And inside that arroyo was a very old, abandoned car.

Apache and I checking out the old rusted car.

Like I said, the trails are well marked and there are signs at every intersection.

A couple times, Judith took turns out in front, even though I was still the navigator/map reader. It's good for the horses to take turns leading and following.

Like I said, I love trails that don't travel straight. The trail builders did a great job at La Tierra making the trails fun to ride.

Even traveling through a long meadow, the trail still has a bit of bend to it.

Soon, we were back at the trailer parking area and I didn't get us lost!



What an awesome day we had!



The End........



Oh yeah!!!




Life is Good!!

Ojito Wilderness January Ride

My riding companion Judith invited to me ride with her at Ojito Wilderness. I had never ridden there before so I was looking forward to riding someplace new.

The day started off sunny and just slightly breezy. After saddling up, just a short distance from the trailer parking area, we had a water crossing.

Judith had ridden at Ojito several times so she led the way and showed us some of the sights.

She took just as many photos as I did that day!

There were photo opportunities everywhere!

Apache and I posing in front of a great rock wall.

 

That is a very tenacious tree to grow straight out of that rock wall!

Like I said, everywhere we looked there were photo opportunities!

 

We rode up to an old working windmill/

And in the rocks just beyond the windmill were three crosses tucked in little rock alcoves.

 

Apache and I standing in front of the three crosses.

We had climbed up a small hill to have a closer look.

Judith's horse was a little concerned about the very loud squeaking windmill, so they hung out close by so he could used to it. It didn't take long before he was cocking a back foot and relaxing.

Apache and I beneath the windmill.

 

The hills behind Judith were so colorful, I just had to take a photo.

Ojito Wilderness doesn't really have trails, just a bunch of old ranch roads.Ojito is the type of place that begs you to explore...which we did.

We found a bunch of bright white rock formations just protruding up from the ground.

 

One of the dirt ranch roads.

Some crazy impressive white rock formations that resembled a partially buried spaceship or the bow of a ship.

Judith and her horse in front of some more protruding rock formations.

 

By this time, we had ridden for several hours and the wind started to kick up strong. The wind was bitter cold, so I was grateful to have worn five layers, a fleece ear wrap and a bandana to cover most of my exposed face.

It was getting so windy and cold that we didn't pose for any more photos after this one.

 

There are a lot of deep arroyos and fairly steep hills in Ojito Wilderness.

I looked like a bandito!

 

Back across the water...

This photo called out for a sepia tint...

And back we arrived at the corrals and horse trailer parking.  She was glad to be back as the wind was wearing on all of us. I wished I could have put a bandana over Apache's face as she was tired of riding face first into the wind

.

Apache could see our horse trailer.

Even with the cold and wind, it was an awesome way to spend the day....horseback in beautiful scenery!

Life is Good!!