Posted 2008-07-05 1:21 PM (#86894) Subject: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 140
Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Trip planned to Iron Mtn. Horse Camp in Southwest Va. the end of the month....how did you like it?(Trails, camp, etc.) I've been to High Country and Hungry Horse East and liked both of them. The riding is really nice in this part of Virginia. Just want a little feedback from anyone who has been in the last year.
Posted 2008-07-07 12:00 PM (#86990 - in reply to #86894) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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We go thre several times a year. It is beautiful, the campground is immaculate, the barn stalls clean and the entire area well kept. Shelia is a wonderful hostess. They have a well stocked tack shop, plenty hot water for the showers and shavings for the stalls. The trails are nice and there are maps that are easy to read. You would have to stay for a week to ride all the trails. it is one of our favorite places to ride. Also, the New River Trial head is short drive from the camp. Have you looked at the website(www.ironmountainhorsecamp.com) it is truly as beautiful as it looks.
Posted 2008-07-07 7:15 PM (#87018 - in reply to #86894) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 140
Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Thank you! Yes, have looked a website and have actually been there...we rode to it (by car) when we stayed at Hungry Horse East. ..to check it out. My horses go barefoot, but we use Easy Boots when needed. Does it have sufficent water? I guess in this drought we have been having around the Southeast, I like to be sure there is water on the trails. The mountains have gotten alot more than we have in the Piedmont of S.C., so maybe alot better up there. Hungry Horse is about 6-7 miles from Iron Mtn. on the same road.You should try it ...Thanks again..Happy trails!
Posted 2008-07-07 8:06 PM (#87025 - in reply to #86894) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 2953
Location: North Carolina
Just got back from the IM area. We got several heavy rain storms over the 7/4 week-end. The trails were a bit slippery Sunday and the streams were flowing.
Posted 2008-07-13 7:36 AM (#87368 - in reply to #86894) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 41
Location: Lexington, SC
Friends from SC & I camp at Iron Mtn for a week every summer. I live just 25 miles from it. Sheila is just great as are all the employees. They alway check on you to make sure everything is okay at your camp site. Some of the trails are extreme and some are easy, you just have to remember you are in the mountains and yes there is watering spots on the trails. You will also need shoes or somekind of hoof protection because the trails are rocky. All in all it is one of the best places I have every been. Have already planned next June's trip. Camping sites and barns are clean with full hookups or you can go primative. We have made a lot friendships there and hope to continue for many years to come.
Posted 2008-08-08 5:11 AM (#89258 - in reply to #87368) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 140
Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Back from Iron Mtn. and I can't wait to get back this fall!!!! We had a great time and just love Danny, Sheila, Linda, her Danny, David, Susan and everyone else there!!People were coming in from Vermont and Indiana! Great riding and great camping. What can I say....ask Sheila about 'ole Willie (the donkey)...my gelding is STILL in therapy! (Ha...funny incident!) Ya'll should go...you'll love it.
Posted 2008-08-08 10:52 PM (#89346 - in reply to #86894) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Location: Blue Ridge, VA
Is that the donk who lives just a short way up Arrowhead? We've been riding that area for 7+ years and LOVE it. Before diesel prices went thru the roof, we would trailer down all the time for day rides and we usually spend a week of vacation camping during the summer (just there in July). That donk up the road I call the "attack donkey"! He was so sweet looking as he came over to the fence line, then he put it in high gear, braying at the top of his lungs and gave my gelding a heart attack...LOL! I don't know what he was saying, but my gelding has never gotten over it. He's not too trusting of "livestock" anymore. Have you seen the little black goat tied near the trailer up Snowbird? Watch out!
Posted 2008-08-10 9:37 AM (#89420 - in reply to #86894) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 140
Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
MtnMax.......yep....that would be ole' Willi all right!! We "met" hime at the fence one ride going up Arrowhead to do Sawmill and he did the same thing to us! He busted out the next night (someone left his gate open) and came tearing up to camp and straight up to our horses who were grazing by us.....chased them up to Sheila's house and bit my gelding on the nose in the process!! He thought my horse was a "she" and you can guess the rest!! It was wild..funny now,though! Haven't encountered the goat yet...maybe next trip!
Posted 2008-08-10 6:31 PM (#89434 - in reply to #89427) Subject: RE: Iron Mountain Horse Camp in Va.
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Posts: 140
Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Awsome,D-newt! We spent a week there and rode almost every trail!! Stayed away from the River Ride...EVERYONE we asked said it might be a bit much...tedious and extreme in parts. Since we had such wonderful rides each day, we decided not to push our luck or our horses'! Sure was a long pull...8 hrs. I would probably go back, though...The Virginia camps are a good bit closer for me and I really do love them. Is it not FALL yet???!!!! My favorite time.