Archive for the ‘Texas Trails’ Category
Description and photos provided by contributor, Lin Sutherland
Website: http://stillwellstore.com/
Contact: 432-376-2244
E-mail: info@stillwellstore.com
Location:
The Ranch is located just north of the Big Bend National State Park.
Map link: Stillwell Ranch – Google Maps
Directions:
The Stillwell Ranch is located on the north-east side of Big Bend National Park about 7 miles from the park’s north entrance known as Persimmon Gap. Drive about 39 miles South of Marathon, turn southeast onto FM 2627 and travel 6 more miles to the Stillwell Ranch.
Camping:
Overnight camping with your horses is allowed.
Facilities:
There are approximately 19 uncovered horse pens.
(approximately 14 horse pens are on one side of the road located by the electric/water/sewer hookups and approximately 4 pens on the other side of the road by the electric/water only hookups)
The Ranch also has shower/bathroom facilities, washer and dryers, and free wi-fi. The old fashioned Stillwell Store offers food, drinks, other supplies, and gas (but no diesel). Diesel can be found at the National Park. Be sure to check out the Hallie Stillwell Hall of Fame Museum.
Fees (rates are subject to change so please call to verify current costs):
Primitive Camping –
$7 adults, $4 children ages 7-11, and free for children ages six and under.
RV hookups –
$19 for rigs under 28 feet
$23 for 29 foot rigs
$26 for rigs over 29 feet
-Stay 6 days and get the 7th free
Pens -
$5 to approximately $10
Map: Call ahead to ask for maps of the ranch area and National Park.
Terrain:
The terrain here is rough with rocks and lots of cacti. Shoes or boots for your horse are essential and long sleeves and long pants (even better, chaps) are recommended for you. You can ride on dirt or gravely roads or on the trails. You can find level ground or steep inclines and canyons to explore. You can gain access to Big Bend National Park from Stillwell Ranch.
Current News:
The Stillwell Ranch is currently for sale with a contract pending. The sale is expected to be closed on in May of 2013. It is believed the perspective new owner wishes to keep the Ranch the same so equestrians may still be able to enjoy the Stillwell Ranch.
Author, Lin Sutherland, riding her Spotted Saddle mare, Jewel.
Description / Trail Tail by LIN SUTHERLAND:
Peggie Kimberlin, aka Redhorse, fearless scout and organizer of the annual Stillwell Ranch ride.
Seventy five riders are camped at Hallie Stillwell’s Outpost, being led by Peggie “Redhorse” Kimberlin – two tough, legendary Texas women. Hallie is here with us in spirit only, having passed away in her 90’s after living in these badlands her whole life. Peggie, a larger than life encyclopedia of information on Big Bend, is leading her 23rd Annual Stillwell Ranch Trail ride.
When you cross this country you wonder how anyone could live here. It is desolate, dry and out to get you. Everything pricks, sticks, stings or strikes you. A tender young bride came here at 19 years old to make a home a few miles from the Rio Grande and the Mexican border – a few years and children later, she lost her husband and was left to do it on her own. She established a store and stopping over place for a lifetime of visitors, taught school and wrote two books, “I’ll Gather My Geese, ” and her posthumously published one, “My Goose is Cooked.” She became the stuff of legends, and her most famous quote is “Trust everyone but brand your cattle.”
Peggie Kimberlin grew up in the shadow of that great tradition. Just like Hallie, she can ride, shoot and tell an exceptionally good story, and does all of those with regularity. She got the nickname Redhorse from the sorrel she rode for years until it recently retired. No doubt it’s odometer had turned over. Now she rides a good looking red and white paint and sits it quite well as she leads us into the Black Gap Wilderness area of Big Bend.
First thing she does is take us “off-roading” up a hill thick with lechugilla, a nasty spiny agave plant with poisonous spikes like daggers, a plant invented by the Devil, no doubt. My sweet magnolia blossom walking mare starts to dance and when I look down I see little ruby droplets on her white legs. Of the many that struck her, one has penetrated her heel bulb and she stops and holds it up to show me. The poison tip stings her flesh, but, there is nothing to do but go on. Like our ancestors who came through here.
Entering River Canyon.
About a third of the way down, we stopped for lunch in a swirl of sand. Others continued on to the Rio Grande river and Mexico. After a ride like that my riding buddy, and I chose to drive up to the Hot Springs and soak our bones. What a fortuitous lagniappe that is! A big contained area with water bubbling out at a perfect 107 degrees. It sat right on the river, which was running heartily after the rains of the winter. After a good hot soak, I climbed down the rocks to wash my hair in the cold Rio Grande. That’ll wake you up!
The Big Bend ride is something I’ve heard about for years, so it was high time I went on it. But you don’t have to come on an organized one to ride here…there are 12 or 13 horse campsites you can stay in to ride the beautiful green Basin or surrounds. However, the Stillwell Ranch ride which Redhorse organizes is a plus for various reasons:
* The National Park campsites are dry. Stillwell ranch sites have water and electric. And that was a major help since the nights dipped to 26 degrees. Days were perfect though – 60 and bright blue skies.
* Everything is done for you! Peggie thinks of all the best trails, gets the best band for the dance, and gets the best caterer for the food. And she’s the only one who can lead people into Maravilla canyon.
*The cast of characters. I’ve never met so many odd, interesting, mule ridin’, guitar pickin’, story tellin’ folks. They came from Houston, Lubbock and all inbetween – and Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Maine and even Canada!
*It’s go great cooking because Wally Roberts and family cater the week. Wally is an expert on dutch oven cooking, and there wasn’t a dish that wasn’t delicious, hot, plentiful and mightily appreciated after a day in the saddle. Wally also does the Billy the Kid ride in New Mexico — I hear that’s something for the not-faint-of-heart. Guess I’ll have to go! Wally Roberts (Dutch Oven Cook) – Billy the Kid Trail Ride …
We camped underneath the uncomparable West Texas black sky with two zillion diamontine stars that led the McDonald Observatory to be here. We listened to the coyotes howl and yip. We laughed and told tall tales and sang and fed the camp poodle. We rode in a wagonette pulled by two elegant, silver-dappled Clydesdales and driven by a Border Patrol agent named Cande, who shared the drover’s seat with two adorable dappled weinie dogs. We made new friends and we saw a unique part of the world from the back of a horse. What better could we wish for in our travels?
The week was so good it even sparked a few romances – after all it was Valentine’s Weekend. Who wouldn’t fall in love with – or in -Big Bend?
Indian Spirt Springs Campground
Indian Spirit Springs Trails entrance located at A&F Farms.
REVIEW AND PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CONTRIBUTOR, STEPHANIE HANSLIK
WEBSITE
http://indianspiritsprings.com
http://www.facebook.com/IndianSpiritSprings
LOCATION / CONTACT
A&F Farms
4342 Dobrovolny Rd
Bryan TX 77807
979-318-2411
info@IndianSpiritSprings.com
Hook ups, picnic table, and horse pens at Indian Spirit Springs Trails.
Indian Spirit Springs Trails is located in Bryan, TX, at A&F Farms, just 15 minutes north of the new TAMU Health Science Center. From Bryan take Hwy 6, then take Hwy 21 West approx 5 miles. Turn right on Pleasant Hill Road, which is just before a railroad overpass. Travel just over 1 mile and take a left into the ranch entrance on Dobrovolny Rd. This is a gravel road. The ranch entrance has a bright red gate and cattle guard. There are directional signs once on the property.
OVERNIGHT CAMPING
Equestrian overnight camping is allowed.
FACILITIES
Facilities include, 3 electric hookups, water, picnic table, and two pens. They also have a port-a-john. There is plenty of parking space.
The camping area is lovely, next to a large lake and groves of beautiful mature trees.
Horse Pens.
RULES, listed on their website
Everyone who enters the property must sign a waiver at check-in
Please check out when leaving for the day
The ranch is not responsible for accidents to people, horses, or damage to trailers or vehicles
Must have negative coggins
No studs
No riding at night
Children under 18 years of age must wear riding helmet. We encourage that everyone wears a helmet
An adult must accompany anyone under 18 years of age
No glass containers
No guns
No hunting
No dogs. Not all horses are used to dogs
No boats with motors
Life jackets required by anyone in boat
Indian Spirit Springs trail.
Fishing is catch and release
Clean up after yourself; use trash cans that are available
Observe all hazard signs and markings
Stay away from all out buildings and equipment
Respect others and their property
HOURS
They are open 7 days a week 8a to 8p.
FEES
Half day ride $10 per horse
Full Day $20, per horse
Overnight tent/trailer camping is $10 but am (unsure if that includes a electric hook up)
*Prices maybe subject to change, please call before you haul
METHOD OF PAYMENT
They accept cash or checks with appropriate identification.
At this time credit/debit cards are not accepted
TRAIL MAP
DESCRIPTION
On the trail.
The trails are mapped, and they are in the process of marking the trails on the 800 acre ranch. The terrain is grassy/sandy so no boots or shoes are required. Trails are a mix of wide open hay fields, pecan orchards, to narrower single file trails through the woods. There are lots of lakes/ponds, a few water crossings (though the crossings were dry when we visited in December), and gentle rolling hills.
We explored the Northwest section of the ranch and covered about five miles. After lunch we then rode the only trail marked so far, the Red Trail. On this trail we covered about three miles, but did not complete the whole trail.
Indian Spirit Springs is a beautiful place to ride. The owners are very nice and friendly with a lot of knowledge regarding the history of the ranch.
Pond, located along the trail.
Hi View Ranch Equestrian Trails
Review and photos provided by Amy Hesselgesser, thank you Amy!
Hi View Ranch has now opened several miles of equestrian trails for bring your own horse trail riding!
Photo provided by Amy Hesselgesser.
Trail Marker
Contact: Ranch Director Casey Bilbrey, 214-564-5573.
Address:420 E. FM 875, Midlothian, TX 76065
Directions: The ranch is located in Midlothian and is about 45 min south of Dallas. Take HWY 287 to Midlothian and exit at FM 663. Head south on FM 663 about 5 miles to where the road ends at the stop sign for FM 875. At the stop sign turn left. You will see the white buildings of the ranch immediately on your right. Take the second gate into the field east of the white houses and park your trailers there.
Terrain:
The terrain is open pasture with rolling hills and trees with a few rocky areas. Shoes are not necessary. There is a small lake on the east side of the blue/green trail.
Mileage: Unknown at this time, however, Casey will be sending in this information soon. The trails are color coded; green, blue, red, and yellow.
Facilities:Overnight camping with your horses is allowed. The camp ground area is primitive (no hook ups or pens) but generators are allowed. You can tie your horse to the trailer, bring your own pen, or picket them. The campground is by the lake and also has volley ball courts, picnic tables, and you can fish at the lake. The Ranch also has rooms available to rent.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed and can even be off lease so long as they are friendly and don’t cause mischief.
From the Parking Pasture next to the trail head, the white houses are Hy View Ranch.
Green Trail
Description: Hi View Ranch is a Christian based facility and working Guest Ranch where you, your family and friends can enjoy a variety of activities such as Horseback Riding, Fishing, Hiking Tennis, Horse Shoes, Volleyball, Walking Trails, Picnic Areas, Camping, Bird Watching, Campfires and more. The ranch has now opened several miles of equestrian trails for bring your own horse trail riding. There is over 2500 acres of excellent trails, which provide a real open range feel!
Contributor: NETASA – Northeast Texas & Surrounding Areas, American Indian Horse riding club
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge – WK Stephenson M.D. Equestrian Trail
Website: Be sure to review the site for park rules and additional informaiton.
Trails info Link: http://www.caddofriends.org/wildlifetrails.asp
Home site: http://www.caddofriends.org/
Location:
Karnack, Harrison County, TX
GPS Coordinates: 32.66795, -94.16782
Contact: Phone Number:
903-679-9144
E-mail:
Mark_Williams@fws.gov
Directions:
From Dallas (2 hours): take I-20 east to Marshall, TX, and get on Hwy. 59 North. Go through town to HWY. 43 North; take 43 North. In ten minutes or so, you will come up on 449 spur. Take a right on 449 (also a post office sign on Hwy. 43). Follow this for about 2 or 3 miles, and you will come to the intersection of 43 and Hwy. 134. There will be a post office on the opposite right corner and the Karnack Community Center on the opposite left corner. Go straight through the intersection and over the train tracks, and you will enter the refuge.
From Shreveport (1/2 to 3/4 hour) – Take I-20 West to Waskom, TX. At David Beard’s Catfish Restaurant, take Hwy. 134 North out of Waskom. Follow Hwy. 134 into Karnack. In Karnack, you will come to the intersection of Hwy. 134 and 43 (T.J. Taylor Avenue). Take a right past the post office and cross the train tracks, and you will enter the refuge.
Camping:There is no overnight camping.
Hours: Open from sun up to sun down.
Alamo River RV Resort in Von Ormy, TX just south of San Antonio
(See trail description below provided by Deb Demers, thanks Deb!)
Lower Campground at Alamo River RV Resort
Riding along the Medina, image provided by Deb Demers.
Website:
http://www.alamoriver.com/
Facebook Page – http://www.facebook.com/alamoriver
Location: 12430 Trawalter Lane, Von Ormy, TX 78073
Latitude: 29 17′ 57″ N
Longitude:98 39′ 11″ W
Directions:
From the North or East: Take I-35 south (toward Laredo) to exit 140, Loop 1604. Turn Right onto Loop 1604 and drive 2/10 mile then turn Left onto Quintana access road. Drive 2/10 mile, cross RR tracks and make an immediate right turn onto Quintana Road. Drive 9/10 mile to first road on left, Trawalter Lane. Make left turn onto Trawalter Lane. Drive 7/10 mile and Alamo River RV Ranch is on your right at the end of Trawalter Lane.
From the West: Take I-35 East to Exit 140, At end of off ramp turn left onto Loop 1604 and drive 3/10 mile then turn Left onto Quintana access road. Drive 2/10 mile, cross RR tracks and make an immediate right turn onto Quintana Road. Drive 9/10 mile to first road on left, Trawalter Lane. Make left turn onto Trawalter Lane. Drive 7/10 mile and Alamo River RV Ranch is on your right at the end of Trawalter Lane.
From the North on Loop 1604: Proceed South on 1604 to 4-Way Stop sign at Old Pearsall Road. Go straight ahead 1 mile and turn right on Quintana Access Road and then an immediate left onto the Access Road. Drive 2/10 mile to next intersection and turn left onto Quintana Road. (Do NOT cross RR tracks). Drive 9/10 mile to first road on left, Trawalter Lane. Make left turn onto Trawalter Lane. Drive 7/10 mile and Alamo River RV Ranch is on your right at the end of Trawalter Lane.
View of the Medina River from the trail. Provided by Deb Demer.
Contact:
1-800-RV-Resort or 1-210-622-5022
Email:
info@alamoriver.com
Camping: Overnight camping with your horse is allowed! Horse camping is allowed on the lower campground which is located at the back of the park. Once you drive to the back of the park you take a right and head down hill on a cement driveway. This area of the park is beautiful, lined with large oaks and pecan trees, and it is just off of the Medina River. There is no lack of shade in this section of the park. The upper campground normally does not allow horse camping.
Cost: $10 for day riding. The rates on top with full hook up (30/50 amp, water and sewer) are $39 per
night and the rate for the full hookup sites down below (at the bottom of the concrete drive) are $45 per night. Water only hookups on the lower campground are $25. All of these include Free WiFi.Rates may change over time so always call before you haul.
Cabin: The park also has a Bedroom Cottage which is $50 per night during the week and $65 per night on the weekend.
Hours: Day use hours are 8am until sunset. If you are tent camping you are asked to be out of the park by sunset on the date of your departure.
Cell Phone Coverage: Cell phone service is very consistent in the park and on the trails. You can get 4G depending on the carrier but 3G and 2G is very reliable.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed but must be on leash at all times and not left unattended. The park asks that you please pick up after your dog. Dogs are not allowed on the trail with horses but you can walk them on leash.