June 18, 2020

Last Sunday Carol Ann and I headed back over to Laurel Run and we tried a new loop.

Using the map in the image below (this is the map that is posted frequently throughout the trail network) we parked at the P on 691 toward center right in the image. From the parking we rode down and then left onto Laurel Run Rd (yellow) to the next P. From there we made a hard left onto North Mountain Trail (orange). We followed this to Stack Rock Trail (purple), to a left on Laurel Run Spur (blue) and then right back onto Laurel Run Rd.

Laurel run was gorgeous. The Laurel was in bloom and we both kept commenting how amazing it was.

North Mountain Trail was also gorgeous and boasted lots of amazing overlook views. But it did start out very bouldery. Not rocky, but boulders to navigate through. It was also covered in lush green grass so the boulders were somewhat hidden. This was a lot of work for the ponies to navigate. I spent this whole several mile section constantly yanking Simon’s head up, every, stride. I repeat, every stride.

Stack Rock Trail was a very well put in trail with cleared areas through bouldery areas, but it was a grade downhill, switching back and forth, and quite narrow in some places. We also ran into two downed trees that were quite a chore to navigate around (unmounted).

The whole ride ended up being a bit long for my taste. Much of it required a slow pace and work navigating boulders and narrow passes. My butt was a bit tired by the end. I attempted to lead Simon for a portion of the climb down but he was a bit of a challenge with all the things to eat and scratch on and the obnoxiousness was too much. Carol Ann got in a nice hike with her puppy dog style Puck marching along like a well mannered beast.

All in all a good day but probably not a return path we would be eager to take again.

June 11, 2020

A few weeks ago Carol Ann and I hit up Laurel Run. It’s been a while since I have been there so I checked in with some STRHA friends for some info. Very handy and helpful.

We parked at the nice round parking loop, and headed out to the right, making another right over the creek and up the road. We both really enjoyed this part of the ride. It continues past a closed gate with a bit of an incline.

This area is well marked with maps posted frequently.

Eventually we turned and headed up a trail up and up. It was a humid day and Simon was feeling it. After some time it pops out onto the fire road, making a right onto it, and heads back down to the parking area. This part pretty much sucks.

It was a fun ride but I would like to try other directions. I really disliked all the road back. But luckily there is plenty to explore up there still.

June 10, 2020

I have been on quite a few trail rides lately, mostly with Carol Ann. And I have not been efficient at recording them here. You might wonder why I do record them here, and I do have a reason. I use them later when I can’t remember something about a trail, and I can look back and find be reminded. Stuff like “where was that loop?” Or “what was the footing like” or “was the parking efficient for two rigs?” I actually look back a lot.

Most of these rides have been at Slate Lick so I’m not as worried about recording them. But there was a fun Sunday ride at Laurel Run, which I could not remember well as it was. Luckily I reached out to some amazing STRHA friends and they helped me out. I do need to try to record that ride in its own post.

There was also a STRHA ride at Uncle Tom’s. Again it was a pretty basic loop that be documented on here previously so we will leave that I t his mash up as well.

Otherwise, this post commemorates quite a few lovely rides at Slate Lick over the recent weeks.

May 29, 2020

I drove up to Sky Meadow near Paris, Virginia, and met Jenny and her horse King for a ride.

We did what appeared to be a nice big loop but it turned out to be shorter than we anticipated. It was a nice ride through well marked fields and mountain-like trails.

We went to the left onto the loop, but we think going right would have been better. There was a lot of down hill compared to the up hill. Or so it seemed.

It was right about $11 to get in and park. The park provides a money drop box and self serve envelopes with hang tags at the entrance. There were quite a few trailers there and plenty of cars. We ran into tons of hikers and all stepped off trail to allow us to pass.

It was a good ride with a variety of terrain and lots of directions to go and explore.

May 4, 2020

Continuing our Friday afternoon trail rides, Carol Ann and I hit up Slate Lick with Puck and Simon. It was a quite day there, only one other trailer and limited sightings of other people coming in and out.

We headed left on hogpen fire road and did the loop at the end of the fire road. It is such a nice ride with plenty of creek crossings and varying trail.

Simon was strong on our past few rides so I put a bit in for this ride. I am glad I did too. He was again, strong, and cracking to move out. At one point we were trotting along a trail in the woods and I am not sure if he got stung by something or what because he leaped forward and sideways and let out several furious bucks before trying to bolt forward through Carol Ann and Puck. I did not find any marks on him later to indicate.

It was an excellent ride. I do like this loop quite a bit. I’m looking forward to meeting Carol Ann next week for another ride. I think we have a standing date now.