Swallow Rock to Seneca Creek: A Lovely Scenic Loop

This past weekend, my long-time horse mentor Sonya and I met to ride in the Seneca Creek backcountry. This weekend's adventure would start 3.5 miles up the road from the Horton trailhead at the Johnny Meadows equestrian and group campsite. I've camped and ridden out of this location numerous times in the past. However, it's been several years since I did! And the last time I was there, I rode different trails than the ones Sonya and I planned to ride.

Nettles at the start of Swallow Rock trail

Q has concerns. Stan's just bee-boppin'

Originally, Sonya was going to bring her mare and her rig, but she ran into some unexpected issues with the trailer in the week leading up to the ride. Instead of cancelling completely, I told her she could just show up and I'd provide the horse and tack. This ended up being perfect because it guaranteed that all three of my horses could get exercise, and Sonya could enjoy a day with less responsibility for once. She's given so much of her time and her resources to so many of us when it comes to horses through the decades. I was thrilled to be able to give back in a way that made her life a little simpler while still enjoying something she loves. 

Kinda like a super highway compared to Horton!

Allegheny Mtn trail

We didn't have a big plan for our day beyond heading up Swallow Rock trail to the top of the ridge where it meets Allegheny Mtn trail (the point where I turned around on my Horton trail adventure in June). When all was said and done, we ended up riding 9+ miles from Swallow Rock → Allegheny Mtn → Bear Hunter → Seneca Creek → Swallow Rock. 

Descending Bear Hunter

Lovely trail on Bear Hunter

I hadn't ridden Swallow Rock trail in over a decade. I was happy to have a more-experienced buddy for it on this day to refresh my memory on the equestrian access point. The hiker's trailhead for Swallow Rock is further downstream from the equestrian trailhead; it takes you up a steep embankment that traverses above a cliff line that gives way to Gandy Creek. The equestrian access crosses Gandy Creek above the bridge and skips this climb and traverse. Why skip it on horses? Because the footing isn't great and horses can lose traction and fall over the cliff. There was a fatality just last year. 

This bit of Bear Hunter made me think of a piece of the OD 100 / No Frills 55

The end of Bear Hunter looking at Seneca Creek

We crossed Gandy Creek and headed up Swallow Rock trail with little fanfare. There was a thick, tall patch of stinging nettle right off the bat that gave poor Q pause, but I took the lead with Grif and Stan and she followed suit without issue. It didn't take long for Stan to pass Q and Sonya, settling in between us where he'd stay most of the ride. 

Swallow Rock was like a super highway compared to Horton. The nettles were far fewer, too! We trimmed a few branches, but there weren't any major obstacles. The downed tree both Sonya and I had heard was near the top was already cut out, too! I will 100% be frequenting this trail more in the future. 

Seneca Creek and one of the many campsites

A great spot to backcountry camp with ponies

Q was very relaxed

We made a left onto Allegheny Mtn trail at the top of the ridge and followed it for about 1.5 miles to its junction with Bear Hunter trail. As we traveled Allegheny Mtn, Stan's sass escalated as he trotted to and fro grazing, cutting both Sonya and I off repeatedly and then refusing to get out of the way. Many exclamations of, "Damnit, Stan! Why?!" could be heard. He's living his best sassy senior life - no one told him he's 24. 

Bear Hunter is another trail I've ridden before, but it's been ages. It was my favorite trail we did the whole day! I heard several of my favorite birds, saw numerous plants that are near and dear to my heart, the footing was great, and the forest understory was gorgeous. Such a delight. 

The stretch along Seneca Creek was also beautiful - it always is! There's a reason it's the most popular trail in this backcountry area. However, the novelty of Bear Hunter won out for me. 

Seneca Creek trail

Native brook trout can be caught in this stream, a big draw for many

The only people we saw all day were on Seneca Creek, a duo of young men and then a duo of locals that knew Sonya. Stan took a moment to terrify the young woman in this group by walking up to her while she was cooing at Gidget. When she raised her head to look at Sonya, who was speaking to the other person, Stan's giant schnozz was RIGHT in her face. I heard her squeak but was facing the other way and didn't realize what had happened. Sonya got a good giggle out of it though!

After a mile or so on Seneca Creek, we came to the junction with the second half of Swallow Rock trail. We headed up that, crossed Allegheny Mtn trail on the ridge, and continued down Swallow Rock back to Gandy Creek and the trailer. This stretch was just as smooth as the rest of the ride had been, minus Stan not paying mind to the trail about a third of a mile from the end. He startled himself and chose to jump down a 6-8 foot slope into the creek while Sonya and I laughed and chastised him for his choices. He even looked surprised by his choices. It was hilarious. 

Stan kept cutting Sonya and Q off. It was kind of hilarious.

Climbing up Swallow Rock trail

As we crossed Gandy Creek on our way back to the trailer, the sounds and sights of numerous bikers became apparent. The final stretch of our ride along the short section of one-lane road would turn into a small adventure of its own as we navigated a steady stream of bikers and cars. The big GRUSK (Gravel Race Up Spruce Knob) was in full swing that day, featuring race distances ranging from 19 to 318 miles. (I’ve participated in the 36- and 54-mile rides in past years.)

Grif and I led the way, followed by Stan, the dogs, and Sonya on Q. As more bikers and vehicles appeared behind us, I decided to pick up a big trot for the last hundred yards, figuring it was safer to quickly reach the campsite/trailer and get everyone well off the road rather than try to let a steady stream of bikes and vehicles squeeze past us in such a narrow spot. One particularly bold biker passed Stan, while another held back to ask Sonya if it would be safe to pass the freely trotting horse. Ultimately, that biker waited patiently behind until we all pulled off the road and into the campsite.

The clearing where Swallow Rock trail crosses Allegheny Mtn trail

Almost to the end!

We reached the campsite with no issues, and I turned to see Sonya with a HUGE grin on her face after enjoying Q's giant trot. She was smitten. And rightly so, that little mare moves much bigger than you'd expect a 14.1hh animal to!

All in all, it was a great day. Sonya had an absolute BLAST on Q (going so far as to offer to buy her and/or just let Q live with her anytime Q wanted lol). Bonus? Grif's shoes performed beautifully and of the 6 boots we had on horses (4 on Q and 2 on Grif), none had a single issue! And Stan didn't seem too bothered by his bare feet at all if his sassy little shenanigans during the ride were any indication. 

I have a sneaking suspicion Sonya and I will repeat this riding arrangement this summer. It served everyone so well and was a ton of fun. I'm already plotting which trails I'd like to travel next time!