We spent the weekend riding up north. Friday we rode up North Leigh creek into Granite Basin and down through Green Lakes. It was a 20-22 mile ride. You start out at 7000 foot elevation and climb to over 10200. some incredible views and vistas. It's a pretty steep climb up and steep descent. The wild flowers were past their prime, But the leaves on the flowers were turning and we had lots of color.
Greg likes to teach his horses to mind by climbing on rocks
Looking back at where we came from. See all the grain fields
Entering into Granite Basin. We are on a very steep side hill as we drop down into this basin
This is not a ride I'd take somebody who was not comforatable on a horse. It's steep and has lots of natural obsticles on the trails
Some nice meadows when we got into the basin
We stopped and had lunch by a small lake. Most of us hobbled our horses and let them graze while we enjoyed lunch in the sun.
Back on the trail again. Lots of switch backs as we climb over the pass
The view from on top. We are 10,220 My horse got a little fiesty up here. The wind was blowing pretty strong and he freaked and we had a minor rodeo. Calmed down when we got down a little lower and out of the strong winds.
Here we are heading down into Green Lakes
Again lots of challenging obsticles for the horses.
Finally we got to Green Lakes. There were a number of lakes we passed as we dropped down hill. Saw some black bear tracks in this area.
Climbing the switchbacks up and over Dead Horse Pass
Posted 2008-09-15 11:30 PM (#91546 - in reply to #91492) Subject: RE: Granite Basin
Expert
Posts: 2828 Location: Southern New Mexico
Absolutely beautiful. Some of the trails you take..... beautiful but I don't know that I could ride them. I'd have to get off and let my horse lead me down while I closed my eyes.
Posted 2008-09-16 8:18 PM (#91605 - in reply to #91492) Subject: RE: Granite Basin
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 522 Location: Tucumcari NM
Awesome pictures! I am green with envy! Your horses are amazingly sure-footed. I really appreciate you being willing to share your adventures with the rest of us. Thanks!
Posted 2008-09-17 2:25 AM (#91626 - in reply to #91492) Subject: RE: Granite Basin
Elite Veteran
Posts: 681 Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
paintedhorse,
please never stop sending your photos.. It's like a mini-vacation for me! You ride out alot, seems like. What a lovely photo collection you must have.. I am also pea-green with jealousy, and hope that I get to ride some of these areas before I die..LOL!!
Granite Basin
.jpg)
