poverty bar

Poverty Bar to Auburn, the last 11 miles of the Tevis. I'd done sections, but Saturday got to do a fun, round-trip ride. Our riding buddy was S and her horse Cisco. He is a big arab/saddlebred, and a gorgeous mover, very fancy. And a bit of a handful. So no matter what, we wanted the day to be fun and safe for everyone.

A little bit later start than usual, but the weather was mild and overcast. No real rain expected, and we headed out of Auburn, taking it pretty slow going down the hill (not much choice). I was obsessed about my boots, leaning over and checking constantly. (Last ride out this way was when I lost one!). I warned S about my boot troubles. Cisco is shod, but she rides with other booted riders, and understands. I hate to be an inconvenience, but wanted to warn her.

obligatory no hands bridge photo

We picked up some nice trots, both horses lead or follow no problem. Major still doesn't like to be in the front for too long with a "strange" horse (not his buddy Friday). I think when the horse gets close he just gets scared, like they'll beat him up. Poor guy, though I make him deal with it anyway! Crossed No Hands bridge, then Highway 49, which is nasty crossing, where you dash across hoping no logging truck is barreling down the hill.

Then comes Quarry Road. It is gravel and flat and hard, might as well be asphalt. Heading out, I like to keep Major on the side, and the footing is better. And we picked up a nice canter and continued. The road becomes more dirt, with stream crossings and overhanging oaks, it was absolutely perfect out. S is an endurance rider, and we both said the weather should be like this for all rides! Both horses were happy, we cantered a lot (checking boots, all OK). When the horses were head-to-head, then they thought they were racing, which led to some pulling and dropping back. But keep one behind a bit, and all was better.

trail left Poverty Bar, trail right, up to more trails

not much sand on these rivers, but plenty of rocks!

Poverty Bar crossing, middle fork American River, south shore

Before we knew it we were at Poverty Bar crossing, not passable now though! We were able to wade into the shallows, but midstream the river is really moving. At Tevis they control the water (upstream dams) because even in summer the water is cold and pretty fast. We all took a short break, the horses didn't want water, but Major was happy with an apple and most of my peanut-butter sandwich (I wasn't that hungry). He did not however, get any candy orange slices, still my new favorite dose of sugar on the trail.

goofy apple face

looking down at poverty bar crossing, far right of photo

And we headed back, quickly (oh no, wet boots now, checking constantly). The horses were in fine form, and we just kept cantering. Major would drop down to a trot to take a corner, and quick kiss would get him back into canter. Cisco is a bit quicker than Major, so sometimes we pushed it a bit. I wouldn't do that often, but I think it is good to really make him move out and see what he can do.

old quarrying with river in the background

We were flying, but before we knew it we were back at Quarry Road. And we walked it. This direction the soft side is on the river drop off, because the other side is the wrong direction for traffic, and there are many walkers and hikers on the trail. It seems pretty far when you just walk, but soon we crossed the scary highway again, and headed back up to Auburn.

Quarry Road, a long walk back

Most of this we let the horses pick their speed. So we'd trot and canter along the flat, power up the hills, then slow when they remembered how steep it really is. Major finally drank out of the tiny creek trough, at 20 miles, wish he'd drink sooner. Coming into the staging area, S asked if we should walk in, I figured they were still full of it, so we trotted in. Both horses drank good from the big water trough, then all Major wanted to do was eat. And he did, with both boots still intact, yeah!

we're back, with boots on!

The clouds were increasing, the temp was dropping, but still close to 70 degrees. Major got a quick bath, but then was shivering a bit. We had gone in S's trailer, so I didn't have a cooler, but we loaded up the horses, and on the 20 minute drive home Major was already almost dry, not shivering any longer. He was happy to prance and roll in his own pasture, and start looking for dinner. I was putting stuff away, when the first rumbles of thunder were heard, and then it just started dumping rain! Just in time! We don't get many late season rain showers, so it was fun, though a bit crazy. Probably the last rain for more than 5 months, so we'll take it!

I was so happy my boots stayed on. I refitted them the day before, and tightened them more than usual (and more than recommended). Every horse is different, and I'll just have to make sure that tightness didn't cause any issues. No rubs, but I'll have to check for any bruising on his heel bulbs. My saddle didn't cause any issues, I think the new foam is helping, though I know it is just a stop-gap measure for now. I also checked Major's legs the next day, and did a trot out. All looked good, tiny bit of stocking up in back, but that is typical for him after any long ride. It goes away with five minutes of walking. I was just a little concerned with all that cantering being different.

A fun adventure I'd love to repeat, before the weather gets too unbearably hot. Which it is set to do later this week. In a few weeks 97 degrees will seem cool, but the first hot days are brutal. But Major and I will enjoy our cooler jaunts in the forest, because really, any ride is a good ride.