Just couldn't stand it anymore. Had to try and get into the high country. The snow line has retreated to about 9500 foot elevation. We found a lot of elk hanging out in the 8000 to 9000 foot elevation. The grass was only a few day old. It was only inch or two tall. Above the 9000 foot mark the snow hasn't been gone long enough for the grass to get any growth.
Even the quakie trees have not gotten leaves yet.
My horses getting a drink and trying to find some grass to graze on after a ride. We turned them loose and just watch them frolic and run around. Collected them after about an hour when the starting looking for trouble.
You can see the snow line we rode up to. It will be July before we can cross the higher passes.
Too many of the trails had dead falls, mud and snow drifts that prevented us from following the trails. So we mostly just bushwacked through the forest.
Posted 2010-06-01 3:43 PM (#120804 - in reply to #120778) Subject: RE: Snowline
Elite Veteran
Posts: 648
Location: Coconut Creek, FL
Thanks as always for sharing. I spent the weekend at Doe Lake in the Ocala National forest camping with about 150 other people. Itwas pretty much 88-90 everyday, we stopped to water and let them cool off in pretty much every lake we rode by, and had afternoon showers. And after each ride, stripped the saddles off and swam them in Doe Lake.
Posted 2010-06-01 10:04 PM (#120823 - in reply to #120778) Subject: RE: Snowline
Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah
You deal with heat and humidity in Florida.
We deal with colder temps. very dry humidity, and altitude. I've seen snow in July at 11,000 foot elevation. My horses standing around at home in 99* temps one day, then ride to the top of a mountain the next and have stand tied on a highline while it snows. Their summer hair coat is never enough and you often don't have room to pack blankets.
So yes we all deal with different challenges.
My horses did enjoy a good roll after their Sunday ride.