Our 2009 trail rides were: June 13, August 1, and August 29-30.
Green Lakes Trail Ride – Saturday August 1st 2009
The August 1 RRR Trail Ride for Green Lakes is shaping up nicely. A
friend and I rode this trail on Tuesday, July 14th and it is totally
passable. A few small patches of snow and wonderful wildflowers along
the way. This is an intermediate ride on a very busy trail. Be prepared
for some hills, lots and lots of stream crossings, stepping over a few
downed trees, many dogs, hikers and bicycle riders on the trail. We will
be moving out some, including trotting and gaiting if you ride a gaited
horse. Likely 4-6 miles per hour will be our average. If we need to
split into two groups to accommodate slower riders, we will do so IF we
have enough volunteers to lead/drag both rides. The ride is five miles
to Green Lakes for lunch and then seven miles return on the Soda Creek
Loop. Lots of up and down on single track trail. You will want to load
up on mosquito repellent, although if we keep moving, it's only in a few
spots that they are really swarming. The ride is totally worth it,
though. Spectacular views including the stratified layers on the west
side of Broken Top. Bring your camera.
In order to participate, please notify Linda Nolte, Trail Chair, by
emailing JuniperCrest@att.net on or before Thursday, July 30 of your
intent to join the group. If you are a family, please list all family
members and ages of children. There are a few duties that you can help
with to earn your volunteer hours: registration/liability waiver,
putting up signs, and riding lead/drag for a second group. If you are
willing to earn some volunteer hours this way, notify me to see which
roles are still available. Plenty of roles for all.
Bring a picnic lunch as we will stop at the fabulous green lakes to
eat. You may want to bring a camera also as the terrain is interesting
and varied, including a lava flow and a river/stream along the way.
Prepare for bugs and protect both your horse and yourself with
repellent, fly masks, etc. as the mosquitoes are reported as fairly
aggressive.
Be at the Green Lakes Trail Head by 8:45 AM to sign the waiver and
for us to get organized into groups. The ride will begin moving down the
trail promptly at 9:30 AM. If you need extra time to tack up and pack
your saddle bags, you may wish to arrive earlier. The parking lot is not
very large, so if you can share a ride, it's recommended.
DIRECTIONS TO GREEN LAKES TRAIL HEAD: Ride description and driving
directions on pages 116-117 of Riding Central Oregon Horse Trails by Kim
McCarrel. Take Hwy 46 west from Bend past Mt. Bachelor about 26 miles.
You will pass the several other trailheads along the way. The sign for
Green Lakes is on the right and comes up very quickly and is difficult
to see. Slow down to prepare for the right-hand turn into the trail head
parking lot after you pass the sign for Sparks Lake. It is a mile or so
past that, but you do not want to overshoot this right hand turn.
Looking forward to another wonderful ride with great RRR friends.
Linda Nolte,
Trail Chair
JuniperCrest@att.net
P.S. Be thinking about the Quinn Camp and Ride and let me know your
camp site number as soon as you have completed your reservations. Visit Recreation.gov
to make your reservations online, or walk in to 1230 NE 3rd Street,
Suite A262 in Bend to make your reservations.
August 29th-30th 2009 Trail Ride and Optional Camp Over
Quinn Meadows Camp Over Friday August 28 and Saturday August 29th,
2009. (Linda will be at the camp Friday August 28th and Saturday August
29th)
Ride on Saturday August 28th – Quinn Meadows Campground to Todd Lake
and back. Pot Luck and campfire Saturday evening after the ride – you may
participate in the pot luck whether or not you choose to camp over
Ride on Sunday August 30th - Quinn Meadows Campground to Mirror Lake
and back. All meals on your own plus bring your own meat to grill and a side to
share for the Saturday night pot luck.
Campers are responsible for their own reservations at Quinn Meadows.
Visit Recreation.gov to make your reservations on line. Or walk in to
1230 NE 3rd Street, Suite A262 in Bend to make your reservations. I have
found that calling on the phone is a waste of time. More ride details to
follow. This is a beautiful camp with a water pump, corrals, toilets, a
creek, and some shade. As of today, June 9th a number of good sites are
still available to reserve. Prices vary by campsite and this information
is on line. There are a occasionally few walk-in sites, to guarantee
your spot, reserve ahead of time. Please notify the Trail Chair, Linda
Nolte, as soon as you have confirmed your reservation at Quinn Meadows
and let her know the campsite number that you have selected. Some sites
can be shared, details on the website. Contact Linda at JuniperCrest@att.net
All trail rides will be posted in the Newsletter and on the
Calendar prior to the date, with times and meeting place listed.
When possible, a brief description of ride, length, degree of
difficulty, shoes required, water crossings and water
availability will be given.
RRR Trail Riding Guidelines and Trail Riding Etiquette and Leave No
Trace practices will be observed on all RRR Trail Rides. This
information is available on the RRR website as well as from the
Trail Chair. These guidelines will be presented in the annual spring
Getting Ready to Trail Ride workshop each April. These
guidelines help support appropriate risk management for RRR as an
organization as well as foster the safety and fun for all riders.
No dogs on RRR trail rides. Many trails now require dogs on leash
and some are posted no dogs on trail. In fairness to all, please
don't ask for an exception and please leave dogs at home.
Meeting times will vary based on weather, distance to trail head,
and length of days. Please meet one hour before the ride start time
so that you can complete the ride waiver, tack up and be in the
saddle at the R2R (ready to ride) time for that ride. Please email
or call the day ahead if you are planning to ride.
Each rider will be responsible for their own horse, tack, and
transportation. All ages are welcome, but children under 16
cannot be dropped off, or sent out without a parent or other
responsible adult accompanying the child for the duration of the
ride.
Riders are responsible for their own lunches, human & horse
water, first aid supplies, GPS or navigation devices, and feed
when applicable.
Same riding helmet rules apply on trails as at the arena;
however, helmets are recommended for all riders.
Know your horse's abilities: water crossings, bridges, kicker,
herd-bound, "chargey" -- be able to keep your horse under control
for the safety of other riders. No stallions. Prior to the
ride, inform the trail ride leader of any special situations or
needs.
Some rides may include optional
overnight camping, and camping is not required to participate in the
rides.
Trail
Rides 2010
