Friday, April 24, 2009

Pagosa Springs 2008

In July 2008 a group of us gals planned a trip to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, an area in which we had not yet explored by horseback. We planned a stay at the Fireside Cabins, easy location but a bit long on the hauling to the Piedre River and Weminuche trailheads. The horse facility was nice, with pens, pasture and a round pen and the owners kept the grounds and cabins immaculate. We spent an afternoon sitting by the river and had a group dinner at the tent down by the river. This area of Colorado is gorgeous and Pagosa Springs is horse country.

The Trails
Our first ride was Piedre River, the trail started out gradually then dropped down to the river. We then climbed switch backs, crossed bridges and explored lovely meadows where we stopped for lunch. Later the horses took a roll before loading up for the ride back to our lodging.
The next day we headed back to the same area. A few miles past the Piedre River trailhead is the Weminuche Horse Camping area. We tacked up and climbed through a beautiful old growth forest, with spanish moss, wildflowers and water crossings. After returning to our trailers we took some time to explore the horse campground near the Wimenuche trail head for a future trip.


Negatives: Lodging road noise and travel time to trailheads.