It is that time of the year once again "TRAIL RIDING" and I’m ready to plan 2008 places to ride…What I would like is for everyone to give info on ORGANIZED trail rides. Place, Date, type of riding, age appropriate and what ever else they do for FUN… I'll start with one that is close to where I live.
Where: Huntersville State Forest in Minnesota. Miles and miles of Sandy, Flat, Beautiful Forest trails room for cart/wagons. There has been a ride the 2nd week of may and the 3rd week of sept for the last 25 or so years. This is a large ride tho..Must like other people and colorful conversation. May's about 300 + horse/riders Sept 500 + horse/riders It is rustic camping, no hook ups, No stalls must tie to trailer or put up your own fence, there is running water (1 pump) fire wood, river to water in, cross, or swim. Organized ride on sat and sun but you can ride anywhere anytime. Band sat in shelter or Band fri/sat at the cute little Huntersville Bar. Cost is around $20.00 per person for the weekend. If you want to camp and ride Shell city camp ground is just down the road also rustic camp but nice quite and beautful.. Happy trails everyone MaryM malones@wcta.net
Posted 2007-12-29 11:29 AM (#73470 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by marym on 2007-12-28 4:47 PM
Huntersville State Forest in Minnesota. Miles and miles of Sandy, Flat, Beautiful Forest trails room for cart/wagons. There has been a ride the 2nd week of may and the 3rd week of sept for the last 25 or so years. This is a large ride tho..Must like other people and colorful conversation. May's about 300 + horse/riders Sept 500 + horse/riders
Hi Mary..wow, that is a lot of folks! Are these "no alcohol" rides? Must be...huh, since it's on state land.That's just too many folks for me. HA!
Posted 2007-12-29 12:33 PM (#73472 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Member
Posts: 48 Location: Wadena MN
Oh no alot of them drink. Thats why you gotta like alot of people. That why I tell people to stay at the state camp ground it is pretty quite there and about 2 miles from all the noisy folks. The camping for the organized ride is on private pasture land. I also think people can drink on state land. I've never seen any sign stating you cant. Maybe thats just us rednecks or is that hillbillys in MN? MaryM
Posted 2007-12-29 2:00 PM (#73474 - in reply to #73472) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by marym on 2007-12-29 12:33 PM
Oh no alot of them drink
Well...shoot. I don't like riding and drinking, too many accidents waiting to happen. Drinking is for back at camp. >> I also think people can drink on state land. I've never seen any sign stating you cant. Maybe thats just us rednecks or is that hillbillys in MN? HA!! Mary...ain't nothing red neck about you. BTW...no drinking on state land, there's a law on that. Stay warm!!
Posted 2008-01-01 10:11 AM (#73551 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362 Location: Allegan, Michigan
Yep drinking on horseback is a HUGE no no, not only are you endangering yourself, but your horse as well as others, nothing different than drinking and driving a vehicle, except the horse has a mind of its own and just as dangerous as a vehicle.
I am all for a good time, and I agree drinking does belong at the campsite. I like a cold one just as much as the other person, and nothing beats one after a nice long ride and all the critters are taken care of.
As for colorful conversation I will withhold comment on that. I have my moments...lol...
Posted 2008-01-01 5:27 PM (#73560 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
We are already planning our Memorial weekend trip. We are going to One Horse Gap in the Shawnee Nat'l. Forest of Ill.
The cost is $125 per person for the weekend (Fri. - Mon.). That includes your campsite (w/ elec), a pen for your horse and meals from Sat. breakfast to Mon. breakfast. There are cleanshowers (2 for men and 2 for women). A band on Sat. night. And the food is good.
They have guided rides, one fast and one slow, which leave camp around 9am each morning. We were there 2 years ago and just had the best time. Beautiful scenery. Clean trails.
Posted 2008-01-01 6:58 PM (#73570 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362 Location: Allegan, Michigan
I have never been to Shawnee, hmmm sounds like something I need to plan. Do they have spots for big rigs? Or people who can help me park? lol... Hubby will still be in Afghanistan and I am not the best at parking. I don't think he would appreciate me denting up the new rig..lol..
Do you need reservations for this? If so how would I go about getting them?
Posted 2008-01-01 7:26 PM (#73573 - in reply to #73570) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792 Location: East Tennessee, USA, Planet Earth
Originally written by mrstacticalmedic on 2008-01-01 6:58 PM
I have never been to Shawnee, hmmm sounds like something I need to plan. Do they have spots for big rigs? Or people who can help me park?
There are many private horse resorts in Shawnee National Forest. You just need to google them for more info. I've stayed at Bay Creek, but...they now have new owners and I don't know how much was changed. The trails are awesome! You go around a bend and it takes your breath away, then you say to yourself, it can't get any better than this. Then ...you go around around bend...and the view is even better. The trails are challenging in spots and your horse should be in condition for the terrain.
Posted 2008-01-02 8:39 AM (#73594 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362 Location: Allegan, Michigan
Thank you Icey, will definitely check into that. Trust me my horses will be in shape. I may have had a stroke last month, but it will NOT keep me from riding. (only 41 yrs old...so make sure you ALL get your cholesterol checked).
The only problem I have right now is lifting my saddle. My problem is diminished strength in my right arm. Hoping by May to have most of it back.
I love to trail ride and I told the doc that a stroke will NOT slow me down!!! lol... I am too sassy for that.
So hoping to meet some of you folks out there on the trails!
Posted 2008-01-02 2:10 PM (#73626 - in reply to #73455) Subject: RE: ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 474 Location: White Mills, Ky.
mrstacticalmedic - if you are serious about coming to One Horse Gap for Mem. weekend, please don't let your parking fears stop you! My hubby can park anything anywhere you want it. And we would be happy to help you tack up if your strength has not returned by then.
The folks at OHG are so helpful as well. When we were there 2 years ago, my friend's horse got overheated and they provided electrolytes, helped her walk him, and radioed back to camp for a trailer to come pick them up at the next clearing. I can not say enough about how good they were to us.
You will need reservations. They have a website...I don't know it off the top of my head, but you can just google One Horse Gap, Ill. and it will come up. Then you can call and ask about accomodations for the size of your rig.
ORGANIZED Trail Rides 2008
>> I also think people can drink on state land. I've never seen any sign stating you cant. Maybe thats just us rednecks or is that hillbillys in MN? HA!! Mary...ain't nothing red neck about you. BTW...no drinking on state land, there's a law on that. Stay warm!! 
I don't think he would appreciate me denting up the new rig..lol.. 