Saturday morning for whatever reason, I awoke with tangled thoughts and foggy eyes.. but Zoe and I had planned a trip up Mount Ephraim, so I knew that would clear my senses in the best way. The day- again- was perfect for a trot out so after lessons we tacked up our dynamic duo and headed out with grand anticipation. Here is a photo from my backyard of our goal, the roof in the trees in about one quarter of the way there-- to the TOP :) (barely visible, it's almost mid-center, just about at the treeline)
The road leads all the way over the mountain to (obviously) the other side-- in Rockingham. There are many great offshoot trails, but today- our goal is the top. The mud road turns back into snow, ice and water past the Observatory. On the start of the trip, this ice over water was quite firm- but on the way home-- the horses were breaking through quite often. Trotting on the ice road made a hollow echoing sound-- fun.
Along the way- there were many others who had the same idea as we had-- to get out on such a beautiful day.. no horses though -- but lots of ATV riders. Some of them leisurely quiet riders who slowed down for us, Some of them large groups of young fast daring boys- who just revved up their engines and whipped by.
About mid way- there is a hayfield, which is mowed every summer believe it or not.. because it's a rough road to get here. We turn right to start the real upward climb. The sun is stronger as the trees begin to thin out for awhile.
Just ahead, Keri and I stop to snap some views.
we meet more water for Keri to stop, splash and pretend water deprivation. We wind our way steadily climbing through the woods and snow- and reach the last part - at the last treeline. It gets brushy and warm again.
I took many photo's- the woods were beautiful, almost even more so than they are in the summer. The sound of water running was constant, with steadily melting snow and rushing brooks and streams. One of our best rides to date ! For the most part, this will be a photo journey-- too beautiful to choose just a few photo's.
Starting out, we have to cross the highway on the snowmobile trail. We find alternately snowy cover and bare ground as we travel. After crossing the highway, we get on what we call the Snow's trail (because people by the name of Snow used to live on the corner of the trail opening)
We can head straight on the official snowmobile trail, but we turn right into the woods on a lesser used trail, following the brook where we like to take green horses for a taste of brook walking.
Everytime Keri comes to a stream crossing, she likes to play a bit and pretend she's thirsty. When she was much younger, this was a game of sorts-- she'd try to drink so I would loosen the reins-- then she'd JUMP the water. After a lot of practice-- now she just walks very mannerly through the water without fail.
We trot back onto the main snowmobile trail.
We get out onto the road again, extreme mud.
This old road leads past the Stellafane Observatory where people come from all over the world at the end of the summer to view the night skies.
This old road leads past the Stellafane Observatory where people come from all over the world at the end of the summer to view the night skies.
The road leads all the way over the mountain to (obviously) the other side-- in Rockingham. There are many great offshoot trails, but today- our goal is the top. The mud road turns back into snow, ice and water past the Observatory. On the start of the trip, this ice over water was quite firm- but on the way home-- the horses were breaking through quite often. Trotting on the ice road made a hollow echoing sound-- fun.
Along the way- there were many others who had the same idea as we had-- to get out on such a beautiful day.. no horses though -- but lots of ATV riders. Some of them leisurely quiet riders who slowed down for us, Some of them large groups of young fast daring boys- who just revved up their engines and whipped by.
One rider stopped to chat and give us an update of what was ahead.
About mid way- there is a hayfield, which is mowed every summer believe it or not.. because it's a rough road to get here. We turn right to start the real upward climb. The sun is stronger as the trees begin to thin out for awhile.
Just ahead, Keri and I stop to snap some views.
The trail becomes woods again-
we meet more water for Keri to stop, splash and pretend water deprivation. We wind our way steadily climbing through the woods and snow- and reach the last part - at the last treeline. It gets brushy and warm again.
The last steep climb.
Seconds to the top now. A few views from Mount Ephraim -
I am not sure which is more visually satisfying-- the trip up or the views from the top. At any rate-- a super trot out, lots of fun-- and as usual.. Zoe and I had some ideas for our next trip out. We'll climb to the top, head out the opposite side down into Dutton District, and loop onto another lower mountain trail that will bring us back home.
Till next time -- Enjoy your day ~
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