Every other year, Tevis has a fun ride. This is on the Tevis trail, but is a casual ride (unlike the Ed Ride, which has mentors, costs a lot, etc). I hadn't done this part of the trail (I've done the first 30 miles, and the end 11 miles, but not much in the middle!), had a free weekend, so why not!
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| hi-tie happy horses |
Taking along a partner in crime (C and Friday), the drive was uneventful, and we found a good spot where both horses could be on their high tie but in sandy footing. (FYI: Love the high ties! Both horses had complete meltdown moments over the weekend, dancing and spinning, no problems!).
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| thunderheads threatened, but stayed away |
Day 1
There were going to be two marked trails, so we decided on the first day to try the shorter one. This is from Foresthill to Michigan Bluff. We'd be riding it as an out-and-back, though Tevis riders just come in on that trail.
Before we started off we heard that two horses were already lost! They had gotten free at the creek crossing, which was very close to camp. We'd be on the lookout for them! Someone (ahem, Major) was a little fired up, so there aren't many pictures. He led a group of three other horses most of the trail. Down down down, cross the rushing and tricky footed Volcano creek, then up, up, up. A little level bit of rusty earth, then Chicken Hawk Staging area (filled with tasty grass). We decided not to continue on, as there isn't much to see in Michigan Bluff (and I've already crewed from there before). So we headed back to do it all again!
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| Paragon mine heading into Volcano canyon |
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| nice trail outside Chicken Hawk |
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| posers |
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| blurry Volcano canyon creek |
This is the smallest canyon on Tevis. Most people will do this in the light. There weren't the drop-offs like in other sections, but some tricky, rolling baby-head rocky areas, steep climbs and descents, and a seriously tough trail!
Heading back we went up one last big climb…and lost the two people with us! We waited a bit, but went back after them. They had found the lost horses! One was catchable, the other followed. Back up the hill, now on Bath Road, their relieved owner found us. Thank goodness!
We went about untacking and cleaning up the horses. Sadly, the taco truck that was going to stay until 7pm (it was only 6pm) had already left! So I snacked on stuff I'd brought, and that's why I always bring too much food!
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| night snacking |
Day 2
The trail wasn't open until 9:30am, which was a bit late, then we waited for all the faster folks to leave. I did not want Major thinking this was any sort of race. And it worked. He was good all day about passing and being passed by others, and since he was with his buddy Friday, it was "just" a trail ride in his mind.
We headed through the town of Foresthill, with people out and about, cars backing onto our path, etc. Two hands firmly on the reins, even in boots I don't like riding on the asphalt road! We turned on California Street and once on the trail I could relax: almost entirely singletrack, much of it green and leafy (not so much in August for Tevis riders).
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| heading into the town of Foresthill |
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| looking out at those canyons we'll be riding! |
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| Dardenelles creek, cool and refreshing area |
After crossing Dardenelles Creek multiple times, the trail hugged the canyon edge, with lots of switchbacks, and even a few unexpectedly big climbs! (I assumed we'd be just descending all the way to the river). There was plenty of small stream crossings, with was good, because it was warming up and both horses drank admirably! This section of trail has a lot of steep cliffs, and switchbacks, and
Tevis riders do it in the dark. And after 60+ miles. Kudos to them, I'll
keep it as a day ride!
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| down in the canyon |
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| blurry twining snake lily, they were everywhere! |
A short detour at Ford's Bar led us down to the river. Where we encountered something the Tevis riders don't have to deal with at night: rafters! A few horses near us did not handle that well, but Major just looked up at the rafts floating by, kept drinking, and even got his picture taken by enthusiastic rafters.
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| hi rafters! |
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| don't bother me, I'm drinking (and playing) |
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| yuck |
Good thing we'd cooled off, because there was a long climb ahead. At least that was a wider trail…the next section got very narrow, rocky and not for the faint of heart. I thought it was awesome. The section called Sandy Bottom was next, which is exactly how it sounds, sandy. After miles of dirt and rocks, it was unexpected and fun. We did encounter two horses having a melt-down as the rafts below whacked their paddles in the water, the rafters just having fun. (It does sound like gun shots.) Major and Friday did not notice it, so we continued. You never know what you'll encounter on the trails!
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| 7+ miles to go |
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| ruck-a-chucky rapids, with guide raft going down! |
After staring down at the treacherous Ruck-A-Chucky rapids (rafters, except the guide's raft, have to portage around this section) we were almost at our final destination. C was getting a bit of sunstroke at this point, I'd almost run out of
water (forgot the my lifestraw for river water, damn!). I was glad that
the previous day I'd consciously decided to drink lots and lots extra
(even if that getting-up-in-the-night thing isn't so fun). We stopped at
a creek crossing the trail, where I declared that C had to use the
horse scoop to cool herself off. Ice cold water helped for her for sure!
What I didn't realize was that the ride photographer was just
ahead…looking a bit disheveled after 18 hot miles, I smiled for the
camera anyway.
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| coming up the trail (used with purchase) |
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| still happy ears! (used with purchase) |
We did detour from the Tevis trail here, and instead of going into the Francisco's Staging area, we headed up the long, dirt road to Driver's Flat. Major lost all hope at one point, but as we neared the top the horses somehow knew the finish was close! At the top we were greeted with alfalfa and water troughs, both of which the horses enjoyed! We all got a ride back to Foresthill, a long, hot ride complete.
I think one of the hardest things about horses, but a good thing too, is that their care comes first. As hot and tired as I was, Major got sponged and cleaned and a delicious mash before I had even taken off my sweaty chaps. Then I could sit with a lemonade and can of Pringles (guilty pleasure ride food), and relax. Until I had to shovel some poop, or fill a water bucket! C was feeling better after cooling off, we spent a quiet night where we went to bed extra early!
Going Home
People could ride Sunday, but the camp was clearing out quickly, And so did Major's brain. Both Major and Friday danced around, calling to unknown friends, while they were each on either side of the trailer. Sigh. At least they looked good and sound after that tough trail!
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| ridiculous horse is miffed at something |
Credit to Tevis riders even more, that is one hard trail. In the dark, or in the daylight, it's still tough. This did not increase my interest to ride it, I'll stick with crewing and sweep riding, to support those out to compete in their dream.
