Arizona in the Saddle

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Copper State Trail Riders January Ride Report By Jodie Franklin We started out the year with a ride back in history. On January 23rd we all meet at a favorite place to host a ride from, the Triangle Y Ranch in Oracle. We had the barn area reserved which had wonderful large turn outs that the horses loved. The people that run the ranch are very accommodating and always make sure we have everything we need. On Friday we had our usual happy hour and I was thrilled to see so many new faces gathered around the fire. As the sun set over the foothills of Mt. Lemon so did the temperature. The breeze that had blowing all day also calmed down with the sun. It wasn’t long before everyone starting retreating to the warmth of their trailers in anticipation of a great day of riding. Through the night I could hear the wind picking up again and thought we were going to be in for a windy day and set the ride time back 30 minutes. However we were blessed in the morning and by the time we left the wind had calmed down. With an extra layer on and the sun out it was perfect for riding. The horses were anxious to get out on the trail too and by 10 am fourteen riders were headed out the gate. Our destination was the historic High Jinks Ranch located in the foothills of Mt Lemon along the Arizona Trail. We rode a combination of a cross country trail and forest road to the American Flag Trailhead. The American Flag Ranch is on the National Register of Historic Places having a post office established there in 1880. The first postmaster received an annual compensation of $3.77! It is believed to be the oldest existing Territorial post office in the state that is still standing. From this first glimpse into history we started out on the Arizona Trail. I have to give a shout out to the trail steward and all the volunteers that maintain this passage of the Arizona Trail for it is a joy to ride. We start winding up hill taking in the scenery as we ride finding even the switchbacks placed so that they made the passage easy to ride. As we turn on the switchbacks we get incredible views of the San Pedro River Valley and the Galiuro Mountains rising up behind it. In the distance through a saddle in the mountains you could catch a glimpse of snow capped Mt Graham. Nearing Oracle Ridge a trail shoots off to the left leading up to High Jinks Ranch. This cluster of stone buildings clinging to the side of the mountain immersed in history captivates your imagination. We tied up our horses as Dan, the now owner of this historic treasure, greeted us in the courtyard. He gave us a history lesson of the ranch once owned by Wild Bill Cody with a tour through the buildings. Everywhere you turn is a piece of history with a story to go with it. A hammock stretches between two trees beckoning you to relax and enjoy the view. Since it was noon when we finished touring the ranch it seemed like a great place to have lunch. Back in the saddle we rode up on to Oracle Ridge and followed the Arizona Trail until the junction with the trail that took us into Campo Bonito Creek. This is a beautiful ride through here with two springs to water your horses and both spots are good lunch stops. A perfect loop completed we tended our horses and got ready for the potluck. A campfire was lit and the table groaned under the weight of all the delicious dishes that were placed on it. This club has not only incredible riders but they are also fantastic cooks! There is nothing like sharing good food and friendship in the warmth of a fire after a wonderful day of riding. Sunday dawned a perfect riding day, after saying goodbye to a few members who had to leave we rode out to the American Flag Trailhead again. This time we went north on the Arizona Trail our destination Oracle State Park. This section of the Arizona Trail menders peacefully through the high desert, perfect for a Sunday ride. We came up to the Kannally Ranch House from the back where we could tie up our horses in the trees next to the old corrals. This beautiful Mediterranean Revival style ranch house is on the National Register of Historic Places. A ranger graciously took us on a tour of the home telling us the history of the family that lived there. A very eccentric and private family their history leaves more questions than answers. Once again everywhere you look is history, a story to be told. A pleasant afternoon ride took us back to camp where goodbyes were said until we meet again on the trail. A ride back in history, a perfect start to a year full of promising rides on the Arizona Trail. To join us on any of our adventures email for a schedule to: copperstatetrailriders@gmail.com 18 March 2015 AZintheSaddle.com
AZintheSaddle.com March 2015 19
Page 1 and 2: www.AZintheSaddle.com March 2015
Page 3 and 4: Visit us at the 60th Annual Scottsd
Page 5 and 6: MDBARNMASTER SHOW SPECIAL 10% OFF A
Page 7 and 8: www.BishopsTrailerSales.com We want
Page 9 and 10: Recipients Honored at Arizona Natio
Page 11 and 12: AZintheSaddle.com March 2015 11
Page 13 and 14: Clearly Your Best Choice Simply vis
Page 15 and 16: “Life without ACTHA, I Don’t Th
Page 17: FOR SALE FOR SALE Corral West Adven
Page 21 and 22: “Life without ACTHA, I Don’t Th
Page 23 and 24: cleaning and drying horses With a D
Page 25 and 26: ENROLLING NOW FOR SUMMER CAMPS May
Page 27 and 28: UPCOMING CONCERTS: DON WILLIAMS Sat
Page 29 and 30: We are offering a participation cli
Page 31 and 32: AAAA WESTWOOD Pumping Service Resid
Page 33 and 34: of course, “The Apache Prisoner G
Page 35 and 36: in season what to plant in March St
Page 37 and 38: Rugged. Reliable. Real. Whether you
Page 39 and 40: 57th arizona national Livestock Sho
Page 41 and 42: For the Ranch, Family and Recreatio
Page 43 and 44: HANG YOUR HAT HERE! H O R S E P R O
Page 45 and 46: Saddle Bronc Rider, Spencer Wright,
Page 47 and 48: Recipes courtesy of chow.com and my
Page 49 and 50: South Buckeye Equestrain Center 103
Page 51 and 52: grab your hats and boots And Let’
Page 53 and 54: Arizona’s Premier Fence and Weldi
Page 55 and 56: Food Storage recipe Chocolate lava
Page 57 and 58: 51st Annual Lost Dutchman Days Apac
Page 59 and 60: Bar Cross Outfit Hand-tied Rope Hal
Page 61 and 62: Nada Ripple Ranch 480-424-0222 East
Page 63 and 64: thursday friday saturday RP- P&M Ar

Arizona in the Saddle

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?