Juan Tomas/ Oak Flats Trail Clearing Adventure

After discovering a brand new secret trail last year, not listed on any maps, in the Oak Flats/Juan Tomas area, my friend Yvonne and I decided that we wanted to go back this year, to clear the overgrown branches off this trail, when the weather was nice.

We didn't see any trees we would need to cut down, so we only needed to pack trimmers, loppers and a folding saw.

For Christmas I had ordered some custom made saddle bags from a work-at-home Mom on Facebook, including a custom made scabbard for my folding saw. The woman's business is called "The Bag Hag Horn and Saddle Bags", and I totally recommend ordering some saddle bags from her. She makes very well-made, quality saddle bags, is very easy to work with, and has a super quick turn-around.

After using my old saddle bags to carry my trimmers and folding saw last year, I realized that wasn't going to work for a long-term solution because sliding them into and out of my saddle bags while working on clearing a trail, was already causing a lot of abrasion and even created a small tear.
They were also not easy to access that way at all because other stuff inside my saddle bags would get into the way and my saddle bags weren't deep enough to securely carry my folding saw.
This is my custom made folding saw scabbard, which she made to match my saddle bags. I also love the different connection points, so I can not only attach it to my saddle, but also attach it to a belt or even to my leg, using the rings and tying with leather strings. The velcro is also heavy duty and strong.




I bought a leather scabbard from Home Depot to carry my trimmers and I am very pleased with it. There are two connections for attachments, one loop for a belt and one wide opening hole. It worked great to attach to my saddle horn because I use my trimmers frequently and it's quick and easy access right up front.

And these are my entire set of matching, custom made saddle bags: cantle bags, horn bags and folding saw scabbard. I could not be more pleased with the color, size, quality and durability of these awesome saddle bags.

Well onto the ride and work project then....

I gave my friend and her horse a ride to the trail head and after tacking up we headed down the beautiful trails.

This is one end of the secret trail we were going to work on this day. It's easy to ride or hike right past this because it just looks like an eroded game trail and, of course, there aren't any signs and it's not listed on any maps. And I have done my research.

We quickly got to work trimming overgrown branches growing across the trail. Apache has gotten used to me dropping a lot of debris on her head and neck. She is very tolerant and patient. And sometimes, the debris even make for a fun photo op and pretty decoration.

Yvonne brought her loppers, which fit perfectly inside of a leather rifle scabbard.

I'm so grateful to have a friend that likes to work on trails and not only ride them. I feel it's so important to give back sometimes for the privilege of being able to have the opportunity to ride all of the beautiful trails we have access to. I feel that everyone that uses our public trails should contribute to their maintenance, so we can all enjoy them for many years to come.

We had quite the well-oiled system going this day. After Yvonne cut away any large branches with her loppers, I would come along behind and trim away all of the smaller branches with my trimmers. For the thicker branches, I would use my folding saw, and then use my trimmers to clean up all of the small branches.

And while waiting for Yvonne to lop away a branch, I took a trail selfie!

I wish I would have thought of taking a before-photo of this old tree. This tree was very overgrown and it was impossible to ride beneath it without hanging sideways off your horse. Some of the branches not only stretched across the trail very low, some of them dangerously pointed straight out onto oncoming riders' faces, with sharp points! We dismounted for this project as there were a lot of branches to remove. I also cut down a small sapling that had grown into the middle of trail and prevented riders from riding into that open area to the left of that lower branch. 

But I want to come back with my larger saddle saw and remove that low hanging branch. It was a bit too thick to cut through it with my folding saw

We worked steadily for almost 2 hours on this 1 1/2 mile section of trail, but the weather was absolutely glorious. We were just happy to be out riding our amazing horses and working together as a team.

At the other end of the trail, after we had completed our trail clearing work project, we were ready for a relaxing lunch break. We searched for the perfect spot and Yvonne found us a comfy log surrounded by ponderosa trees.

We tied up our horses as they had earned a nice, long rest.

And then we enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the shade of the tall ponderosas, along with a peaceful siesta.

I think Apache was slightly worried that I had died. haha!

But I was just fine.

More than fine actually!

We had earned a nice long rest, too. And I was happy when Yvonne suggested a siesta. We both stretched out on the soft pine needles for at least 20 minutes.

Both of our horses were seen with their eyes closed during our little nap.

The sound of the gentle wind blowing through the tops of the ponderosas reminded me of the ocean waves. Watching them sway back and forth was so calming and mesmerizing. 

We kept saying how lucky we were to be able to do what we were doing this day. A day spent out on the trails, riding our horses, surrounded by beautiful nature is just pure joy.

After lunch, we mounted back up and rode down the trail, with our only purpose to explore and enjoy the rest of the day.

Yvonne and I and our horses are perfectly matched in many ways. We travel at the same pace, relaxing and enjoying the trails. Our horses are best friends and at one point, her mare even lived at my house for a short time while I considered buying her. We both enjoy the silence of nature and only talk when necessary. No pointless and irritating chatting. And we like to explore, even bushwhack sometimes, and discover new areas and trails. We are also very positive and happy.

While bushwhacking and exploring this day, we discovered some new lunch spots with beautiful views and scenery, like this lovely rock grotto.

And we also discovered this incredible view spot! Those are the Manzano Mountains far off in the distance.

I've been horse riding, mountain biking and hiking this area for 7 years and this was my first time at this location. My mind was blown because I never knew that the Oak Flats/Juan Tomas area had any amazing views like this one. We literally felt like we were on top of the world!

And this is my joyfully happy pose!

The views are so expansive and so beautiful! We could see all the way down to the mountain range near Corona, NM and down to the Wind Farm near Willard, NM. And, of course, those beautiful views of the Manzano Mountains, too!

Yvonne and I were absolutely thrilled!

Even our horses were content to just stand there and take in all those beautiful views.

Between-the-Ears of my Apache mare

And a trail selfie with gorgeous views, of course!

And a zoomed in shot of those lovely Manzano Mountains.

After enjoying the vistas and scenery, we climbed down from our secret view-spot and continued our ride. The trees were starting to cast long shadows across the trail. 

We bushwhacked a bit off the trail and discovered a single patch of ice/melting snow, the first we had seen all day.

Apache quickly used her teeth to take a few bites out of the cold, refreshing ice.

Yvonne's mare licked the ice and then she too, took a few bites.

After we got back to the trailer, untacked our horses and gave them each a drink of water, they stood by my trailer and snuggled up together. Awwww.

And then it was time to load up and drive home.

Apache enjoyed one last look around before I pulled up the mesh window cover. Etta Bay was in the "back seat". haha!

Oh yeah baby!

Life is Good!!

David Canyon Trail Maintenance Ride

The weather reports were telling us that we were going to have a really nice 3 day weekend, so I made plans to ride all 3 days!
My friend Yvonne agreed to join me on two of those days and she even helped me plan and organize a Trail Maintenance Work Project Ride. What a good friend!

Yep! That's right. We weren't just going to mosy on down the trail relaxing and enjoying nature. We were riding with a mission to clear low-hanging branches and overgrown trees and brush from one of my favorite back country trails in the Cibola National Forest of David Canyon.

My friend Yvonne drove over to my house and we loaded her mare into my horse trailer with Apache, because the David Canyon parking area isn't very big.
And it was a good thing we carpooled in just one trailer, my smaller 2 horse trailer, instead of her 4 horse gooseneck stock trailer, because the parking lot was full when we arrived, with 3 other horse trailers and the cars and SUVs of hikers and mountain bikers.
We could have still parked in the parking lot if those cars and SUVs would have parked closer together in one area. But instead they spread out and parked like folks do when sitting in a movie theater or church....with spaces or gaps in between. And these spaces were not big enough to park a horse trailer. 

So, I drove out of the parking area and parked alongside the entrance road, leaving plenty of room for cars, trucks and trailers to enter and exit.

Although when we were saddling up, our horses kind of blocked the road...haha!




We loaded up our horses with trimmers, clippers, loppers, folding saws and pack saws...a couple extra layers of clothes and lunch!

And then we headed out onto the trail.

Yvonne and Etta Bay bringing up the rear.

Along the way, we occasionally pulled out our trimmers or folding saws to cut a few low-hanging branches.

We rode through one of the tree thinning/ prescription burn areas.

And then we headed out into the back country of David Canyon.

A few tiny rock steps for our experienced trail horses to navigate over.

We continued riding in a northwesterly direction into the beautiful forest.

My Happy Trail Selfie!

And the sign perfectly matches the trail's location: West Boundary. You cannot ride any further west in this area of the Cibola National Forest. If you do, you will be trespassing on Kirtland Air Force Base property. And there are plenty of warning signs spread out along the West Boundary Trail, about specifically not doing that.

West Boundary Trail is one of my most favorite trails in David Canyon. And it's so beautiful, especially when there is still Fall color!

The trail is a mix of rocks and smooth dirt and the terrain is varied between flat and hills. It's a fun trail to ride and never boring.

As can be seen by the piles of branches and logs, there has been a lot of tree thinning along this trail as well. Eventually the Forest Service will do a prescription burn and that makes me a little sad, even though I am aware that it will be a good thing in the long run to clean up these piles of branches.

When we first started out on the West Boundary Trail, we ran into a group of 4-5 horseback riders riding towards us in the opposite direction we were heading. When we told them what our plans were that day to clear trail, they were so thrilled and thankful.

It didn't take us long before we found branches to cut and brush to trim back.

We, of course did all of it from horseback, because we needed to be able to reach the branches that are at the face level of horseback riders. And the best way to do that is from the back of a horse!

Both of our horses did amazingly well with having to stand still and be patient, while pine needles, leaves and branches fell on their heads and necks.

We worked non-stop for about 2 1/2 hours, until we found the perfect log for lunch and a rest.

Our horses were grateful for our 30 minute lunch break, too.

This may very well be, the best trail horse and trail clearing pony in the entire world. I just adore her!

And she looks great in red!

I really like my 10 foot long loop reins and my 11 foot long lead rope. I can tie that lead rope around the widest tree in the forest and my horse still has plenty of room to hang her head, relax and look around.

After lunch, we got to work on a lengthy section just past our lunch log, clearing overgrown brush, trimming branches and even cutting down 2 knee-knocker trees, which is where my awesome Corona pack saw came in handy! 

Yvonne doesn't use a camera or her cell phone to take photos, and I never thought to give her my camera, so I don't have any photos of me clearing trail. But believe me, I was working. We both got a lot of work done that day.

We continued working on foot for another 45 minutes, and that was after our 30 minute lunch. So our horses enjoyed a very long rest. 

After we cleared that section by foot, we backtracked to our resting ponies and mounted back up to continue working from horseback. 

It was nice to ride through our previously cleared section. We appreciated not having our knees knocked by trees and our faces scratched by branches. 

We rode to the south end of West Boundary Trail and then we turned around and rode the trail in reverse, so we could enjoy all the work we did and catch anything we missed on the way in.

I cannot even begin to express how proud I am of my amazing Apache mare! She went above and beyond my expectations and gave me her heart and soul that day.

There were times that I swear she read my mind when I wanted her to get into a good position for me to trim a high branch. I wouldn't even have to use my reins, just my voice, or sometimes, nothing at all. Perhaps just my body was telling her where to move and I didn't even realize it. But it was like we were as one and totally working in sync. It was a truly awesome experience.

At one point, I was using my folding saw to remove a 5 foot long branch about 5" around. When I almost had the branch cut through, I tried to hold the branch up but it was too heavy and awkward. So, the branch dropped down over Apache's neck, literally pinning her against the tree. 

Apache never even moved one step. I told her to stand and I kept praising her, while I completed sawing the remainder of the branch. And then I lifted the 5' long branch up and over her neck and tossed it into the forest, off of the trail.

My mare was a rock star and she had the most amazing work ethic! Apache is such an awesome trail horse and equine partner. I am so lucky and blessed to have her in my life!

Me and my Apache mare selfie!

Since we weren't doing much trimming work on the way back, we made good time. But we had been out on the trails for over 5 hours, and by the time we made it back to the trail head parking area, the sun was already dropping behind the trees and the shadows were long.

We had such a productive and satisfying day riding among beautiful nature and making our contribution towards improving trails that we can all enjoy.

Life is Amazingly Good!!