Trail Log: 8-13-2025

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

Trail Log: 8-11-2025

The Butlers filly gets more adorable by the day. The momma is pretty sweet too. 

• Trail: The Loop - HNR
• Miles: 3.5
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Drifter
• Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hike and Ride around the loop with the Black Hellion. 

Festus out moving rocks around. I'm keeping the big-ass round one! Actually...I have to keep them all since nobody seems to want free rocks. Lots and lots of free rocks. 

Trail Log: 8-8-2025 and Quad ride: 8-9-2025

Massive chestnut tree atop Steele Hill lost a limb due to wind

1. Trail: The Loop - HNR
2. Miles: 3.5
3. Riders: Self
4. Horses: Jack
5. Dogs: Groot

Notes: Hike N Ride around The Loop. Jack can now make it all the way barefoot. Sweet! Later that morning - I drove up to Olokott Campground to see where My Neighbor (Kort) and buddies were camped for the weekend. I'll head back up in the morning to join them for an ATV ride. 

8-9-2025: The day doesn't really belong on a trail log but what the heck. Met Kort and friends at Olokott campground. I borrowed a quad from them and we rode to Hat Point and back. 120 miles on a quad felt like 1200 miles on a horse! Good grief...it about vibrates the fillings out of your head. It was worth it though. Beautiful views - great people. 

Looking across Hells Canyon to the 7 Devils

Trail Log: 8-6-2025

• Trail: Boulder Flat Rd. - Shoot and Ride
• Miles: 3
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Drifter
• Dogs: Groot

Notes: I can finally work up my arena so got in a little shooting practice. Drifter was a bit of a punk and was humpy the first run but decided it was not in his best interest and mellowed out some. When we were done in the arena, we headed out for a short ride around the corner down Boulder Flat Rd. 

Trail Log: 8-2-2025

• Trail: HNR - The Loop
• Miles: 3.5
• Riders: Self
• Horses: Jack
• Dogs: Groot

Notes: Back to the daily hike N ride routine after a week off. I figured I'd fallen far enough behind I'd have a heart attack climbing Steele Hill. I did not and neither did Jack. He went the entire way barefoot. When I first started walking him around the loop on a gravel road - I had to boot him up. I eventually got to where I booted just the fronts...then the fronts half way/barefoot half the way. It bothers him a little going down steep hills. The butcher shoer that crippled him a couple years ago cut into the pedal/coffin bone. Keeping him barefoot and using Scoot Boots seems to be helping him back on the road to recovery....slowly. 

I didn't take any pictures other than this one of the adorable little filly born just up the road at Butlers. 

Trail Log: 7-29-2025

Nearing the top

• Trail: Fisk Creek - Little Eagle Meadow
• Miles: 9.55
• Riders: Self - Darrell - (Blake - Landon - Nick)
• Horses: Drifter - Jewel - Spartacus - saddle-pack - Captain
• Dogs: Groot - Yottee (?)

Back down the Jim Fisk

Notes: Fabulous ride. Blake and his friends packed into Pine Lakes for an overnighter. They went in via the Pack Station. I thought it would be fun to show them how to come out the top of PL and down the Jim Fisk trail so they could make a loop instead of up/back. Coordinating that could have been more difficult than it turned out. Blake and I lucked out and got enough cell service at the right time to meet up at Little Eagle Meadows about the same time. Going up/down the Jim Fisk is a tad gnarly but everyone did pretty well. Landon's saddle and pack horse had the most difficult time as they were not in the greatest shape. It was Drifters most technical trail yet. He did so good and was a trooper climbing up/down a 2k+ elevation gain with little to no switchbacks and a trail littered with granite boulders. 

Met the boys near Little Eagle Meadows

Made it to town - only one rider down. He had all he could do in the saddle and opted to walk down the steep JF. Pretty sure he won't forget a pair of walking shoes next time. 

Trail Log; 7-27-2025

• Trail: Fish Creek - Bucks Crossing - Horse Lake Cabin
• Miles: 7.38
• Riders: Self - Darrell - Lou Ann
• Horses: Jack - Jewel - River
• Dogs: Groot

Notes: Much better day of riding. We shamed Darrell (Professor D) into taking us into Horse Lake via a trail I had not been on. It was a much easier way to get into the cabin than the previous ways I'd been. We hauled to the Fish Creek Trail Head by way of Dry Creek. The trail follows Fish Creek - crosses "Bucks Crossing" and drops into Horse Lake Cabin. The lake is more of a meadow as it does not retain water for long for some reason. The Cabin is my favorite of the Cabins I've seen in this area - very remote and has a stable to horses. 

Trail Log: 7-25-2025

• Trail: Fish Lake - Meadow Camp
• Miles: 4
• Riders: Self - Lou Ann
• Horses: Jack - River
• Dogs: Groot

Notes: Lou came up for a weekend vacation. We planned to camp at Fish Lake in the meadow but the mosquitos pretty much ran us out. We went on a short ride and pulled camp and headed back to the valley. We will go on a nice day ride tomorrow!