Fall Trail Ride at Mingo Creek

Valerie62 · 10-23-2009, 10:35 AM

DH and I have been watching the weather forecasts for two to three weeks waiting for the perfect day to load up the horses and go to Mingo Creek County Park for a trail ride. Yesterday was that day -- a beautiful, sunny, crisp Fall day.

We arrived at Mingo around 12:30 p.m. There were already two horse trailers in the parking area....hmmmm ... someone else stole our idea. When we got back from the ride, there were five more trailers in the lot.

Before unloading...

Getting saddled up....

View from the top of the first hill....

Hubby riding Katie. Sorry it's a little blurry and I cut half of Katie's head off ... It's kind of hard to take a picture turned around backwards on a walking horse.

Another one of DH and Katie. When the sun shone on the leaves they just seemed to glow. It was really pretty.

Here's me on Dakota -- just enjoying the ride.

We sorta lost the trail at one point but I'm glad we did because we were able to get this shot of the covered bridge (there's two of them at this park).

Found a picnic table along the way and stopped for a few minutes. Next time we'll know to pack a lunch.

Nice head shot of Katie.

The horses did great on the trail, except for a few places where it got pretty mucky. They were sinking almost to there knees in the mud. We rode for almost four hours and only did half of the park. Dakota didn't even freak out at the squirrel -- I was so proud of him. No spinning and bolting at all. And he was in the lead most of the way because Katie walks to fast. Every time she would lead, Dakota and I had to trot to keep up.

Only one time did we come across other riders - five. Of course, it couldn't have been in a worse place -- on a bend with no where to get off the trail. I found out quickly that Dakota does not like strange horses -- I had to get off and lead him into a briar patch to let the other riders pass us. The bugger kept threatening to kick the other horses.

Our only major trouble was once we got back to the trailer and tried to load up. My once easy to load gelding decided he wasn't getting on the trailer. Took us an hour and some ace paste to finally get him on. Luckily, Katie (the one that usually gives me troubles loading) walked right on. Looks like Dakota has some trailer training in his future.

Horselady44 · 10-23-2009, 10:41 AM

Looks like a fun place to ride! I wish the fall leaves were still around here

They all fell off! Looks beautiful there

I love Dakota...hes so handsome! Looks like a fun day overall

Thanks for sharing!

Valerie62 · 10-23-2009, 10:49 AM

Thanks horselady....the leaves are just past peak right now and will probably be all gone in the next week or two. We're getting rain today and tomorrow so they'll be dropping fast. Mingo is a great place to ride. The trails are well kept and for the most part easy to follow. And they are a mix of deep woods, meadows, creeks and up and down hills for a little bit of challenge.

MurphysHorseGirl · 10-23-2009, 11:06 AM

Thanks for sharing the great pictures. Beautiful horses. Lucky you got to get out! Our weather's been so crappy and I have a new Soft Saddle to try out! Maybe this Sunday. I've been wanting to go to Mingo Creek. What are your opinions on it?

Valerie62 · 10-23-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MurphysHorseGirl

Thanks for sharing the great pictures. Beautiful horses. Lucky you got to get out! Our weather's been so crappy and I have a new Soft Saddle to try out! Maybe this Sunday. I've been wanting to go to Mingo Creek. What are your opinions on it?

Yesterday was my third time riding at Mingo this year (the first two were on judged trail rides) I really enjoyed each time. You are required to have a permit. It's free (send for it by mail), but I also don't think anyone would know if you had one or not. You don't have to "check-in" or anything and no one was policing the area.

The trails are, for the most part, very nice. There are a few spots where it can get pretty swampy though as you cross a lot of small streams and a few larger creeks and there are some steep hills that can be slick too. I definitely would not go after it has rained a few days. Probably mid summer during a drought would be best.

You do have to pay attention to the markers (orange or blue dots painted on the trees). I think they need to respray the dots as some of them are fading pretty badly.

Here is a link to the trail map if you're interested. http://www.co.washington.pa.us/downl...go%20creek.pdf We started at the west entrance (very big horse trailer parking area) and rode the orange trail to the blue "cut across" loop and it took us almost four hours. I can't imagine how long the entire orange loop would take. I could do it but I doubt my hubby could ride that long.

Next year, we might head to Beaver Creek State Park in Ohio ... that way I can have something to compare to.

mingiz · 10-24-2009, 07:36 AM

Nice pics and horses....It was suppose to be raining here so we cancelled our weekend trip... Arrrgggghhh no rain yet....Oh well guess I'll havve to do those ugly domesticated jobs. We're planning on next weekend.....

Oran'sMom · 10-24-2009, 04:56 PM

Great pictures...i dont have any scenery like that over here in Southern California! im jealous!

singing tree · 10-24-2009, 10:27 PM

Well Oran, you might be jealous of the scenery, but there is something to be said for being able to ride comfortably all year!!

I am interested in the Mingo Creek place also. We are your neighbors to the west in Ohio. Have ridden at Beaver Creek and love it. Mingo sounds a little bit like it actually. The trails as Beaver can be as rough or as mild as you choose. The river is a neat feature. And if you do get to go to Beaver, and find two easy boots size 3 in almost brand new condition, don't think that the Lord just dropped down a gift from heaven...

You will know where to send them....

duns4ever91 · 10-25-2009, 10:24 PM

what a beautiful area. I am wondering why you ride both horses in a hackamore i do to i am just curious why?

Stormy's Human · 11-22-2009, 03:32 PM

It's raining here today (something we haven't had in a long time so I'm not complaining) so I have been spending alot of time here on HT

Having to go back into the Web Forum and look at old posts. Your riding pictures are really beautiful - love the scenery and your horses!

Valerie62 · Yesterday, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duns4ever91

what a beautiful area. I am wondering why you ride both horses in a hackamore i do to i am just curious why?

I mainly ride with the hacks because I prefer bitless, especially while trail riding. Just seems more natural to me.

I also use a hack on Katie (the bay) because I have yet to find a bit that she likes. Every bit I've tried she chomps on continuously which drives me crazy and makes the trail ride not so relaxing.

I started riding Dakota in a hack this summer because he started misbehaving while riding and I narrowed the problem down to his mouth. Had the vet out to check his mouth/teeth and all she could tell me was his gums looked a little swollen. So I switched him to the hack so I could continue to ride him and he worked so well in it that I just haven't switched back yet -- and probably won't.

Valerie62 · Yesterday, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stormy's Human

It's raining here today (something we haven't had in a long time so I'm not complaining) so I have been spending alot of time here on HT

Having to go back into the Web Forum and look at old posts. Your riding pictures are really beautiful - love the scenery and your horses!

Thanks! Now that it's November, I'm glad I have those pictures to look back to and remember a great day. Hopefully, they'll get me through the long cold winter.

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10-23-2009, 10:35 AM
Valerie62 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington, PA Posts: 786	Fall Trail Ride at Mingo Creek DH and I have been watching the weather forecasts for two to three weeks waiting for the perfect day to load up the horses and go to Mingo Creek County Park for a trail ride. Yesterday was that day -- a beautiful, sunny, crisp Fall day. We arrived at Mingo around 12:30 p.m. There were already two horse trailers in the parking area....hmmmm ... someone else stole our idea. When we got back from the ride, there were five more trailers in the lot. Before unloading... Getting saddled up.... View from the top of the first hill.... Hubby riding Katie. Sorry it's a little blurry and I cut half of Katie's head off ... It's kind of hard to take a picture turned around backwards on a walking horse. Another one of DH and Katie. When the sun shone on the leaves they just seemed to glow. It was really pretty. Here's me on Dakota -- just enjoying the ride. We sorta lost the trail at one point but I'm glad we did because we were able to get this shot of the covered bridge (there's two of them at this park). Found a picnic table along the way and stopped for a few minutes. Next time we'll know to pack a lunch. Nice head shot of Katie. The horses did great on the trail, except for a few places where it got pretty mucky. They were sinking almost to there knees in the mud. We rode for almost four hours and only did half of the park. Dakota didn't even freak out at the squirrel -- I was so proud of him. No spinning and bolting at all. And he was in the lead most of the way because Katie walks to fast. Every time she would lead, Dakota and I had to trot to keep up. Only one time did we come across other riders - five. Of course, it couldn't have been in a worse place -- on a bend with no where to get off the trail. I found out quickly that Dakota does not like strange horses -- I had to get off and lead him into a briar patch to let the other riders pass us. The bugger kept threatening to kick the other horses. Our only major trouble was once we got back to the trailer and tried to load up. My once easy to load gelding decided he wasn't getting on the trailer. Took us an hour and some ace paste to finally get him on. Luckily, Katie (the one that usually gives me troubles loading) walked right on. Looks like Dakota has some trailer training in his future. __________________ *There's more to life than horses ----- but NOT much!*

10-23-2009, 10:41 AM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,437	Looks like a fun place to ride! I wish the fall leaves were still around here They all fell off! Looks beautiful there I love Dakota...hes so handsome! Looks like a fun day overall Thanks for sharing! __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

10-23-2009, 10:49 AM
Valerie62 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington, PA Posts: 786	Thanks horselady....the leaves are just past peak right now and will probably be all gone in the next week or two. We're getting rain today and tomorrow so they'll be dropping fast. Mingo is a great place to ride. The trails are well kept and for the most part easy to follow. And they are a mix of deep woods, meadows, creeks and up and down hills for a little bit of challenge. __________________ *There's more to life than horses ----- but NOT much!*

10-23-2009, 11:06 AM
MurphysHorseGirl Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Boyers, PA Posts: 72	Thanks for sharing the great pictures. Beautiful horses. Lucky you got to get out! Our weather's been so crappy and I have a new Soft Saddle to try out! Maybe this Sunday. I've been wanting to go to Mingo Creek. What are your opinions on it?

10-24-2009, 07:36 AM
mingiz Weanling Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern MD Posts: 421	Nice pics and horses....It was suppose to be raining here so we cancelled our weekend trip... Arrrgggghhh no rain yet....Oh well guess I'll havve to do those ugly domesticated jobs. We're planning on next weekend..... __________________ Never Ride Faster Than Your Guardian Angel Can Fly **Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.... 1 TWHBEA, 1 Missouri Fox Trotter 03 Exiss Event 3H ,06 F250 extcab 6.0**

10-24-2009, 04:56 PM
Oran'sMom Yearling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 823	Great pictures...i dont have any scenery like that over here in Southern California! im jealous! __________________ Oran

10-24-2009, 10:27 PM
singing tree Long Yearling Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hartville, Ohio Posts: 1,045	Well Oran, you might be jealous of the scenery, but there is something to be said for being able to ride comfortably all year!! I am interested in the Mingo Creek place also. We are your neighbors to the west in Ohio. Have ridden at Beaver Creek and love it. Mingo sounds a little bit like it actually. The trails as Beaver can be as rough or as mild as you choose. The river is a neat feature. And if you do get to go to Beaver, and find two easy boots size 3 in almost brand new condition, don't think that the Lord just dropped down a gift from heaven... You will know where to send them....

10-25-2009, 10:24 PM
duns4ever91 Newborn Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: yorba linda Posts: 12	what a beautiful area. I am wondering why you ride both horses in a hackamore i do to i am just curious why?

11-22-2009, 03:32 PM
Stormy's Human Coming two Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Seville, Florida Posts: 1,762	It's raining here today (something we haven't had in a long time so I'm not complaining) so I have been spending alot of time here on HT Having to go back into the Web Forum and look at old posts. Your riding pictures are really beautiful - love the scenery and your horses!