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| Under Garnet Butte. Left is East Pine drainage- right is Clear Creek drainage. |
- Trail: East Pine - Garnet Butte - Clear Creek Trail
- Miles: 13
- Riders: Self - The D
- Horses: Jack - Jewel
- Dogs: Groot
Notes: Wow...this ride warrants more of a full blog than a trail log. Maybe later.
We went in search of the remnants of an old cabin that is supposed to exists somewhere in the general area of Clear Creek and Garnet Butte. The lost cabin is supposed to be associated by a mine that appears to also be lost to time. You climb straight up a ridge littered with boulders, downfall, bogs and hillsides of soft ground that gives way under your horse as he claws his way up the steep mountain side. I took my feet out of the stirrups and closed my eyes half the time.
We didn't find evidence of the cabin site. It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. However - with more research and a now better understanding of the area - I feel it is possible. We rode in places I doubt many people have ventured on foot - let alone horseback. I was glad to be on Jack for sure. It could be a leg-breaker getting through that dead-fall. I'm sure Drifter could do it some day - but he hasn't carried my weight long enough that I fear he would tip over on some of the side-hilling we did. He's also lighter boned than Jack. I worried enough about Jack snapping a leg.
The D's horse, Jewel, is a 21 year old mare. Her age did not slow her down. She's been ridden in this country her entire life and did amazing. Jack is 17 and barefoot for the most part. I started off with his front boots only - then put on his hind boots once we got to a spot level enough to do so. We reached an area that we felt was safer to lead them though. Somewhere in that mess, Jack lost a hind boot. I made a quick search for it but was unable to find it and didn't want to spend a lot of time in that spot. I will order him a replacement. Even replacing one now and then, I'm still ahead money wise by not paying a farrier. Plus - his hooves improving vastly. He's still tender in the soles but is improving since keeping him barefoot. It got super boggy the rest of the way down so I took his boots off to prevent losing another one. I would put them back on if the terrain warranted. He was a little tender, but managed to make it out the last 7 miles barefoot.
The views are breathtaking. The D knows the area like the back of his hand. He's worked cattle in the area his entire life and spent time tracking wolves for the FS. I'm slowly learning the area and it gets "smaller" each time I get the chance to explore it.
Back at home - I've talked with the folks from Scoot Boots and they recommended mud straps. I ordered a replacement boot - 2 sets of mud straps and 2 sets of pastern locks.
I expected Jack to be gimping along for a couple of days but as of this morning - he's trucking round like nothing happened. I was able to better examine his hooves after yesterday's ordeal and they came out of it with barely a chip. I am a happy camper.
A link to some pictures:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/WH3uH81MqN7a9y6N9
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