17 Miles in Seneca Backcountry: A Photo Story

The morning dawned misty after several days of rain. The colors in our little river valley were peak. Gidget was psyched for an adventure.

At 8a, I looked out to see Grif beautifully crisp white and clean from the rain. I thought, "Yay! Love it. It's cold enough he shouldn't roll before I need to get him from the pasture in 45 minutes." 

Famous last words. 

He did a very thorough job. He did end up getting his third bath in three weeks after this. Not as thorough, but enough so that I could put tack on in clean areas.

A pretty drive on small mountain roads to the trailhead.

Still a lot of green from the Rich Mtn overlook.

I was amused with the "oreo" effect from two dark horses and my grey horse. 

A happy corgi. The husky is already far away in the front.

Green understory, golden canopy. 

Today's circuit would be Swallow Rock to Allegheny to Leading Ridge to Elza to North Prong to Allegheny to Tom Lick to Seneca Creek to Judy Springs to Seneca Creek to Bear Hunter to Allegheny to Swallow Rock. A total of 17 miles or so. 

Finally on top on Leading Ridge trail after climbing Seneca Creek. 

My favorite section along North Prong showing off her autumn splendor

K giving her signature pose

Grif and I. 

Jessie, who drove over from east of Fort Valley for today's ride. She'd messaged me on Instagram earlier in the summer saying she'd be interested in joining for a ride if I ever wanted to. Before my autumn took off with travel and various weekend obligations for weeks on end, I gave her a shout about a free October day. She was in. I let K know, too, and this ride day was a go. 

Taiga wanting to be included. 

I always encourage those who have never been on these trails to lead and enjoy a view unencumbered by anyone else. Jessie and Stevie enjoyed several miles in the lead before Stevie said, "No more, thanks."

Such a lovely day. 

Into the spruce thicket we go!

Love these red spruce mono-stands. 

I wish I could share the sweet smell of the red spruce forest through this blog. 

Just a girl and her horse in the mountains. 

Riding along Seneca Creek trail, the superhighway of this trail system. 

The trail is pretty, but I dislike how many people I run into every time I traverse it. 

Gold and green abound, the theme of the day. 

Yes, this little corgi hangs the whole time. This was her biggest trail ride to date at 17 miles and she still had go-go-go at the end. She's 19lbs of pure muscle and spunk. 

So peaceful. 

<3

One of the numerous stream crossings along this section of trail. 

The best ponies drinking. 

K taking a moment. I cannot remember if she was on Josie or Ellie for this ride. I think it may have been Ellie though. 

Cuties. 

Grif, Gidget, and I

Autumn makes me happy

Still enjoying the pause at the stream. 

Yes, glitter on my cheeks. It's my fun new addition to every trail ride. Icelandic sweater and chaps are on, too. And the wetness on the helmet is from branches and mist, not actual raindrops, fortunately!

K leading along the most beautiful section of Seneca Creek. 

My favorite capture of the entire day. The view from here is perfection. I always bring friends up to this point for a snacks/lunch break before heading back over the mountain in the background to the trailer. To continue up this trail behind my POV for this photo would go to the summit of Spruce Knob. 

The very best boy. 

We loved the tree left of center and talked about it a lot during our pause. 

Just before peak color, but in my opinion, the colors jump all the more when there's still greens in the mix. The misty day made them all the more vibrant. 

Posing in Seneca Creek before climbing up out of this stream valley.

Stevie tanking up once more before we climbed up and headed back to the trailers.

 

All in all, it was such a lovely outing. The horses were super stars and the dogs were psyched. The humans enjoyed themselves greatly. We shared some drinks and conversation at the trailers while the horses grazed on green grass at Johnny Meadows before we parted ways.