East Fork Durbin Trails

Our BCHA chapter, where I serve as the VP, held one big organized ride this summer in early August. It presented a great opportunity for me to finally head south to a county I've recreated in, but not often on a horse and never on the trails we'd be riding. It was also a great time to visit with riders from across the state that I rarely see. 

We met at the East Fork Campground in Durbin, WV. This campground is run and owned by one of our members and is a fabulous spot for equestrians seeking to trail ride. They're located along a river right by a rail trail. The rail trail provides access to countless other trails on the Monongahela Nat'l Forest. The campground boasts several dozen stalls, a few small paddocks, a wash rack, camping spots with hook ups, and a few small "cabins" (read: fancified sheds). The small town of Durbin is easy walking distance and has several small coffee shops and restaurants. If you and yours are looking for an equestrian weekend getaway location in the West Virginia mountains, I recommend considering East Fork Campground!

Once everyone was tacked and mounted, our group of 17 headed out for a 4+ hour ride that covered about 14 miles. It was a gorgeous ride through mountainous forest areas. We traversed through mature mesic and xeric forests and spent some time along a section of the Greenbrier River. We began on the rail trail and then took a connector trail to access several other trails in the system. I paid attention in the moment, but largely just enjoyed being present. It's not often I ride as a participant and not a leader these past few years; I really enjoyed not having any responsibility! As a result, I can't really tell you which trails we went on. However, if anyone is curious, leave a comment and I'll find out!

The beginning of this ride is when I met K, whom I mentioned in my last post. We struck up easy conversation from the get-go. We rode in close proximity to one another the whole day and became fast friends by the end, making plans for more riding adventures into the autumn months. 

The final miles of this ride traversed a trail that BCHA and USFS folks put a lot of work into this past spring. They turned a single track trail barely scratched into the slope of the mountain into trail that was level and switchbacked all the way from top to bottom. It's glorious. I wish it was reasonable (and feasible) to do that kind of trailwork elsewhere on the Mon! 

The very last mile or two of this ride were back on the rail trail. K and I took this opportunity to part from the group for a lovely hand gallop. Gah, it's been forever since I enjoyed a pace like that on trail! What a delight. Grif was so game and happy zooming alongside K's little RMH mare. 

All in all, it was a perfect day of riding. I haven't ridden in a large group in a number of years; riding with these folks made for an easy going day. Everyone is familiar with traveling over that kind of terrain with their animals, was very polite, and all of the equines were calm and well-behaved.

Mounted and ready to go

Crossing the railroad tracks into "downtown" Durbin. We'd traverse along the back streets to the rail trail. 

Leaving the rail trial to head onto single track trails.

Gorgeous mature forest with open, ferny understory

We had some rain for about 10 minutes

My disgusting grey animal. I miss having a hose/wash rack at home. 

Look at this super highway of a trail thanks to the work in the spring!

I couldn't get over how much work they'd done on this

So glorious

K and Josie in the river. And a dragonfly cameo.

This little mare is still learning to like water

My very good 16 year old boy. Cannot believe he's so old now! We've spent 14½ of those years together. 

Summertime Rides in the Northern Monongahela

I've been pretty consistent about trailering out for a ride every weekend this summer. As much as I'd like to head out more often, horses are just one of my passions, and I'm happiest when I can balance my interests. Besides, with diesel prices where they are, I'm not as keen on venturing hither, thither, and yon.

I've enjoyed a number of miles in the Seneca Creek trail system since the trail clearing day with USFS in May. Unfortunately, storms have dropped a number of trees on trails that were "clear" a few months ago. The first half mile of Swallow Rock has been particularly hard hit, but hopefully our BCHA folks will get it cleared soon. What's wildest about the summer storms is that between my house and the trailheads I frequent, an EF-1 tornado touched down! Not a common occurrence in WV and even more uncommon over in these parts. Yikes.  

Trail obstructions or no, we've made the best out of the summer and enjoyed our time on trail up there. I'm so fortunate to live so close to this trail system!

I also ventured to the trails on CVNWR once to introduce a new equestrian friend to them. We had a BLAST. K's riding style is a lot like my own, and it's so fun to have found a new friend who likes to both walk and move out on trail. She rides over 1000 miles a year across many states and all four of her horses (two RMH and two gypsies) are incredibly fit. Meeting her in August has been such a bright spot in my summer. 

I told K to lead on this ride in CVNWR because it was her first time there. I wanted her to enjoy the glory of the trails with an unencumbered between the ears view. 

This bridge stood above the water, but one later on was partially under water. Beavers have really shifted the hydrology through here! It's also been nice to have a wet summer after two years of severe drought.

The last few feet of the climb up Cabin Mtn

 Pictures at the top for all!

Gidget sits for a few photos but then always has to come check on me. 

And back down again.

Love riding with someone who takes as many photos as I do!

Grif hates bridges. He always has and we'd worked on it for years, but then he had a very scary experience last summer(ish) and will never forgive bridges again.

I'm grateful he'll follow other horses over. Otherwise, I have to lead him or ford streams.

Tired girls!

After a year of being so chill with minimal to zero sass, Grif was spun up this morning. He was the only short-ears at Johnny Meadows. Sonya has a mule now. When we arrived though, there were three other mules on the high ties. Grif was Very Uncertain about this.

Sonya's mule likes to move OUT at the walk. Standing still is DUMB. 

These dogs are so good!

Excellent summer for foraging. Between this day and another, I foraged over 5# of lionsmane mushrooms. 

Day 1 haul, which I shared with Sonya. 

It makes fabulous "crab" cakes. I also dried a ton to use in various ways later.

Summer Photos

Earlier this summer, my brother's girlfriend wanted to "take photos one evening". The plan was loose, but it essentially was just going to give each of us an opportunity to have photos taken. Each of us spends more time behind the lens vs. in front of it. As a result, we both feel absurdly awkward in front of the lens. 

In a grand effort to be less awkward, I opted to pose with my horses as much as possible for my 15 minutes of time in front of the lens. I still felt really awkward, but focusing on them vs. the camera gave me something to do that wasn't just fussing internally about what I should do with my body. 

The resulting photos that M captured are really lovely. And the experience showed me that I really need to force myself in front of the lens more; something that makes me that uncomfortable is worth poking at and improving upon.