Monday, July 21, 2025

Trail Log: 7-16-2025


Dry Creek Ranch


  • Trail: Dry Creek Ranch
  • Miles: 5
  • Riders: Self - Darrell
  • Horses: Drifter - Jewel

Notes: Well - the cows are back. We hauled up to the DC Ranch and commenced to gather them back up and move them into the forest. For some reason, Darrell's normally solid little mare, Jewel, was a pain in the butt. It appears she fell in love with the ranches grey gelding. We had just gathered them into a group when Darrell took off up the mountain out of site. I didn't know if I was supposed to hold them and wait or keep going. I waited for a while...then kept going. I pushed the group to where you turn up and head toward the forest and the cows split up...some went across the ditch - the others into the brush all over the place. Still no sign of Darrell. I was about to go in search for him in case he got dumped when the ranch owner pulled in. He said not to worry about Darrell...he'd be fine. He saddled his grey gelding and we proceeded to re-gather the cows when Darrell came walking in, leading his mare. She never did calm down much. Darrell was pooped from the day before so we pushed the cattle just through the gate into FS and left them - knowing full well they would be back. Darrell went back later in the week and repaired the guys fence where the cattle were sneaking through. Drifter did great. I think he likes gathering cows and could not care less if we get abandoned to figure it out on our own. 



Trail Log: 7-15-2025

  • Trail: HNR - Halfway - The Loop
  • Miles: 3.55
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hike and Ride around the loop. Didn't take any pictures other than this beautiful colt born to the neighbors up the road. I managed to NOT get a picture of the half naked hippy that scared the bejesus out of Jack and me. He was lurking across the fence in the thicket. Possibly irrigating? All I could see was upper and lower body as his mid-section was obstructed from view by brush. I assume he was wearing shorts...He was really tall with long, wild white hair and made a weird noise. Jack about jumped out of his skin. I was on foot at the time. Once I realized it was a human (of sorts) I said "GOOD MORNING" to try and get him to speak so Jack would recognize him as human (of sorts). He did not respond other than a weird glutaral sound.  Heck - could have been a hairless abominable snowman for all I know. I didn't tally - Jack and I picked up the pace and made it to the top of Steele Hill in record time. It's never an uneventful trek around that loop. 

Neighborhood newbie


Sunday, July 13, 2025

Dry Creek Cattle Drive - Fire-breathing Dragon and The Black Hellion

 

Dry Creek Cattle Drive

Fire-breathing Dragon and The Black Hellion




  • Trail: Dry Creek - Densen Ranch - NF

  • Miles: 7

  • Riders: Self - Darrell Martin

  • Horses: Jack - Jewel

  • Dogs: None

Notes: Darrell M. asked if I'd help move cows Saturday morning. I explained that I know very little about cattle management but if he was willing to tell me what to do without yelling - I'd love to help. He picked me and Jack up at my place by 6:30AM. The Pine Valley Ranch cattle had come out of the hills and were mixed in with The Densen Ranch cattle on their property.

We were to separate the PV pairs and drive them up into the forest. I don't know how Darrell could tell the difference in whose cows were whose....but he sorted them out and got the PV cattle moving toward the FS.

Jack was a fire-breathing pain in the butt for the most part. He hasn't been wound that tight since he was 6. He seems to want to get right in the middle of them and eat them for lunch. Come to think of it - most times I've helped people  move cattle - it's been whipping,  spurring, hollering and chasing bovine all over the place. I image he expected this experience to be no different. Frankly, neither did I. On the contrary – Darrell grew up on a ranch and takes great exception to being called a “cowboy.” What I've seen take a half dozen or more cowboys/girls to do – Darrell managed to do with one horse and no dogs. I like to think Jack and I were helping...but it was obvious he could have done it without us.

With the PV cattle separated from the Densen cattle and headed into the forest – Jack finally calmed down and got into his groove. He was much happier to be bush-whacking up and down hillsides, crossing creeks and going after stragglers. I'm just happy he feels good enough to be on the muscle and snorting flames again – thank you Scoot Boots.

We got back late morning in time to pick up my sister and head up to Duck Lake to get out of the heat. A great day.



  • Trail Log: 7-13-2025

  • Trail: Dry Creek – Densen Ranch

  • Miles: 7

  • Riders: Self – Darrel

  • Horses: Drifter – Jewel

  • Dogs: None

Notes: Well, that was unexpected – Darrell got a call from the Densen Ranch saying more of the PV cattle were mixed in with theirs. The text read: Hey you wanna go back to Dry Creek and chase cows again. There was no punctuation so I can only assume it was a request and not a statement. Regardless, it was accurate either way. It took little for me to forego Groots Sunday Morning waffles and saddle up Drifter. It was too hot for waffles anyway. I made a smoothie instead. This would be an experience for the Black Hellion I did not want to pass up.

This time we drove all the cattle into a pen and sorted out the Densen cattle and left them on the ranch. Darrell operated the gate while Drifter and I cut out the ones he pointed out. I'm so proud of Drifter – he's never done anything like that. He dove right in the middle of them and we somehow managed to almost look like we knew what we were doing.

We then commenced to push the PV cattle into the forest. We started out with a small handful but picked up 30 pair or so along the way. The only fault I had with Drifter was his refusal to cross water. That boy is a desert pony and DOES NOT like to get his feet wet. That made crossing back and forth across the creek to eek cattle out of the brush a challenge but we made it work. I can get him to cross with another horse – but that wasn't happening when the only other horse and rider are across the draw eeking out their own bunch of stragglers.

We pushed the pairs as far up as Darrell thought necessary before heading back to the trailer. I took the opportunity to cross the creek by following Jewel across. Drifter didn't hesitate but wasn't about to get his hooves wet and leapt across like a black Lipizzaner. For a little dude...he can get some air!

Apparently – we missed a few and will be going back the middle of the week to push up the rest.


Trail Log: 7-13-2025

 

Into the forest we go

  • Trail Log: 7-13-2025
  • Trail: Dry Creek – Densen Ranch
  • Miles: 7
  • Riders: Self – Darrel
  • Horses: Drifter – Jewel
  • Dogs: None

Notes: Well, that was unexpected – Darrell got a call from the Densen Ranch saying more of the PV cattle were mixed in with theirs. The text read: Hey you wanna go back to Dry Creek and chase cows again. There was no punctuation so I can only assume it was a request and not a statement. Regardless, it was accurate either way. It took little for me to forego Groots Sunday Morning waffles and saddle up Drifter. It was too hot for waffles anyway. I made a smoothie instead. This would be an experience for the Black Hellion I did not want to pass up.

This time we drove all the cattle into a pen and sorted out the Densen cattle and left them on the ranch. Darrell operated the gate while Drifter and I cut out the ones he pointed out. I'm so proud of Drifter – he's never done anything like that. He dove right in the middle of them and we somehow managed to almost look like we knew what we were doing.

We then commenced to push the PV cattle into the forest. We started out with a small handful but picked up 30 pair or so along the way. The only fault I had with Drifter was his refusal to cross water. That boy is a desert pony and DOES NOT like to get his feet wet. That made crossing back and forth across the creek to eek cattle out of the brush a challenge but we made it work. I can get him to cross with another horse – but that wasn't happening when the only other horse and rider are across the draw eeking out their own bunch of stragglers.

We pushed the pairs as far up as Darrell thought necessary before heading back to the trailer. I took the opportunity to cross the creek by following Jewel across. Drifter didn't hesitate but wasn't about to get his hooves wet and leapt across like a black Lipizzaner. For a little dude...he can get some air!

We missed a few and will be going back the middle of the week to push up the rest.



Trail Log: 7-12-2025

Densen Ranch Cabin


  • Trail: Dry Creek - Densen Ranch - NF
  • Miles: 7
  • Riders: Self - Darrell Martin
  • Horses: Jack - Jewel
  • Dogs: None

Notes: Darrell M. asked if I'd help him move cows Saturday morning. I explained that I know very little about cattle management but if he was willing to tell me what to do without yelling - I'd love to help. He picked me and Jack up at my place by 6:30AM. The Pine Valley Ranch cattle had come out of the hills and were mixed in with The Densen Ranch cattle on their property.

We were to separate the PV pairs and drive them up into the forest. I don't know how Darrell could tell the difference in whose cows were whose....but he sorted them out and got the PV cattle moving toward the FS.

Jack was a fire-breathing pain in the butt for the most part. He hasn't been wound that tight since he was 6. He seems to want to get right in the middle of them and eat them for lunch. Come to think of it - most times I've helped people  move cattle - it's been whipping,  spurring, hollering and chasing bovine all over the place. I image he expected this experience to be no different. Frankly, so did I. On the contrary – Darrell grew up on a ranch and takes great exception to being called a “cowboy.” What I've seen take a half dozen or more cowboys/girls to do – Darrell managed to do with one horse and no dogs. I like to think Jack and I were helping...but it was obvious he could have done it without us.

With the PV cattle separated from the Densen cattle and headed into the forest – Jack finally calmed down and got into his groove. He was much happier to be bush-whacking up and down hillsides, crossing creeks and going after stragglers. I'm just happy he feels good enough to be on the muscle and snorting flames again – thank you Scoot Boots.


We got back late morning in time to pick up my sister and head up to Duck Lake to get out of the heat. A great day.


Friday, July 11, 2025

Trail Log: 7-11-2025


Snow Park

  • Trail: Halfway - Clear Creek - FS6605 - HNR
  • Miles: 5.2
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Great Hike and Ride. I parked/unloaded at the Snow Park and road up toward "Dead End Point." I veered left at a T away from the road that continues on to DEP. Looking at my previous Avenza tracks - I was headed straight toward Holbrook Creek and a trail I've ridden numerous times. After looking at several maps - it doesn't look like the two trails connect - rather each ends near the top of a ridgeline - similar to the old road leading to DEP. There are a lot of smaller roads that jut off FS6605 that are marked but also not on a map anymore. The ones I took have been blocked off to vehicle travel. We rode down one until a big tree prevented us from going any farther. Drifter navigated up/down moguls and picked his way through down-fall like an old pro. 




Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Trail Log: 7-9-2025

Looking down on Meadow Creek

 

  • Trail: Clear Creek - FS 6605 -HNR
  • Miles: 6
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hauled to the snow park and rode up an old logging road that is no longer on any of the maps/apps that I have. I rode up this last year and wanted to do it again and see if I can figure out exactly where I was. The road takes off from the snow park up an old logging road that eventually fades out and ends at a rock outcropping. If you could safely get around the rock bluff - you could eventually drop down onto Clear Creek Rd. I wouldn't do it on horseback unless I had to or didn't really like my horse. It's a neat area...it looks down on Meadow Creek - Snyder Meadows and Trail Creek. There are a bunch of little roads that shoot off of 6605 to explore later.  

Parked Jack and walked the rest of the way to the rock bluff


Trail Log: 7-3-2025



  • Trail: The Loop - Halfway - HNR
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: I should probably consolidate these HNR logs weekly but whatever.  My LQ is hooked up to the truck so I can pull out in the morning to Pendleton for a USMS shoot. So...it's back to HNR around the loop instead of hauling somewhere. Thankfully, it is a pretty ride and maybe by the time we leave for home this fall, my horses will no longer be terrified of llamas. 





Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Trail Log: 7-2-2025

The ground sucks...but the view is awesome. 

  • Trail: Halfway - The Loop HNR
  • Miles: 3.7
  •  Riders: Self
  • Horses: Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Well, not sure you can call this an official Hike n Ride - I did hike...without a horse....and I did ride...once I got back. I set up my arena for a balloon killing practice. It's pretty rocky so I put Drifters front boots on and he did great. I didn't let him run as fast as he wanted to. I worry about him getting stone bruised. He did fine with the boots on. We shot 30 out of 30. 

At the writing of the blog entry - I discover I have officially filled up my log book I've been keeping since 2016. I think I started logging my trail miles before that and have another filled log book floating around somewhere. This will be the first entry in my new log book. 

Out with the old...in with the new


Trail Log: 6-30-2025

Guard Llama on duty

  • Trail: Halfway - The Loop
  • Miles: 3.77
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hike and ride around the loop. I walk up Steel Hill and around since it is the steepest. I must be getting back in some semblance of shape as it doesn't feel long enough anymore. The Guard Llama was a little scary for Jack still but we got closer to it. The goat horde came out to greet us. Jack loves goats so was happy about that. 

Three Amigos...aka, The Horde


Trail Log: 6-24-2025



  • Trail: Halfway - Cornucopia Highway - Dixie Creek
  • Miles: 4
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: Parked at the wide spot and hiked/road up toward Dixie Creek. When I got back - I found the Garbage guys had left me a sweet new official garbage can. It's the weird little things that make my day. \



Trail Log: 6-23-2025



  • Trail: Halfway - Clear Creek - Snow Park
  • Miles: 2.78
  • Riders: Self
  • Horses: Jack and Drifter
  • Dogs: Groot

Notes: More of a hike than ride - I did saddle Drifter but ended up hiking in and out for no particular reason. I did try to tie a can of 50:1 fuel mix on him that I found on the road. That didn't go well. He did not appreciate the sloshing around and weird popping noise it made. I left my panniers at home or I would be packing him and getting him more use to it.