| Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
Preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina Foothills Hunting Country |
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FETA Newsletter
Winter 2009 |
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From The President |
 Hooray for the much needed rain! Let's hope that it keeps up and rainfall returns to normal. Rain often requires trail closings to avoid property damage or unsafe footing. Before you ride, check trail status or the phone message at 828-894-0496. We apologize for the recent problems with the FETA voicemail service. It has been repaired. In the event of communication malfunctions and trail status is unclear, call Trailmaster Dave Smith at 828-275-2873. If you cannot verify trails are open, do not ride. As we go into 2009, lets make a resolution to do everything we can to protect our riding. Sometimes we forget that riding on private property is a privilege. The landowners' rules are not optional. We have each agreed to these rules as a requirement for our riding privilege. Unfortunately, we have had a number of problems in recent months. This has caused landowner concern, loss of some trails, and unnecessary time and aggravation. Don't jeopardize your riding privileges or our trails. Your Member Manual includes a copy of the Rules Agreement and the Liability Release which you signed detailing these obligations. Take a minute to refresh your memory of these requirements. If you have any questions, please call me or someone on the board. The Golden Rule is a good guide. Treat the land like you would like your land treated. Treat other riders and landowners as you would like to be treated.
We know that 2009 is going to be a challenging year for everyone's household budget. FETA has taken cost-saving measures which include eliminating postage and copying costs with this e-letter. These steps offset our unavoidable increased expenses. FETA could not maintain the trail system without your support. We work hard to be good stewards of all the resources.
Ride Friendly. Ride Safely.
Dot Moyer
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Fall Clean Up Day |
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 Dozens of volunteers gathered at the Peniel Road Parking Area on November 8 to complete a re-route of the trails on the County's Landfill Property adjacent to our trails on Little Mountain. This re-route reopens an important loop trail and the trailhead near the intersection of Little Mountain and Golf Course Roads.
This was a large project coordinated by Trails Committee Vice Chair, Dan Hecht, and Trails Manager, Jennifer Patton. Volunteers cut trees, cleared brush, filled holes, and raked in several new segments. Long abandoned trails were cleaned up to route FETA riders around the landfill "cap" which the County has installed to protect groundwater from seepage from the old landfill.
Many thanks to all of the people who lent a hand. We could not do these "big" projects without you! |
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Little Mountain Area Gets New Trails (Thanks Dan!) |
 Extensive trail improvements on the former Champion Paper Company property purchased by Hat Creek Timber and Cattle Company and leased by FETA were made in 2008. Recently, FETA negotiated an arrangement with Polk County to use their adjoining land under the condition that riders stay to the designated areas and not ride over the entrance road or the landfill cap. FETA volunteers and staff did a wonderful job siting and building the new trails to connect with FETA trails. Dan Hecht has spent a lot of time marking the area with signs and barriers to show the way. FETA does not have exclusive use of the property. Please be aware that you may encounter ATVs, hunters, etc. on these trails. Stay on the marked trails as surveillance cameras have been installed to ensure that the public does not go into the restricted areas. Enjoy the trails and remember to say "thank you" to the County Commissioners and County Manager, Ryan Whitson, for allowing FETA to use this property. |
| Hughes Creek Preserve and Little Mountain Trails Update |
 Beginning Sunday, January 4th, 2009, both the rerouted Little Mountain Trail and the new Northface Trail are open for riding.
Here are some important points to remember:
(1) The trail head for the western end of Little Mountain trail near the corner of Golf Course Road and Little Mountain Road has been relocated. The new entrance is about 25 feet further down Little Mountain Road. The entrance is clearly marked. The old trail head is also clearly marked NO TRESPASSING -- please respect the barrier and signs.
(2) The Little Mountain trail crosses the Landfill Access Road. While it is OK to cross here, please DO NOT ride up or down the Landfill Access Road. Polk County's environmental contractors are still performing substantial work at the former landfill site. Riding into the site is not only extremely dangerous, it is trespassing and a violation of state law. Violators will be subject to loss of riding privileges and trespassing prosecution. We have all worked very hard to reroute this trail to avoid the former landfill site -- please do not jeopardize FETA's use of county property by violating this rule!
(3) The entire length of the Little Mountain trail, as well as the western end of the Northface trail, are located on county property. Remember that FETA does not have exclusive use of this property. As such, all riders should be aware that encountering other users, including dirt bikes, ATV users, hikers, and hunters is possible. Ride smart and ride safe!
(4) Riders using the Little Mountain trail will encounter several areas where trees have been intentionally dropped to route riders away from the former landfill site. Please DO NOT attempt to ride around these tree blocks. Doing so may lead to loss of riding privileges and criminal trespassing prosecution
(5) Some of the old FETA trails on county property have been permanently closed. These include all trails that crossed over or led into the former landfill site.
(6) A note to riders entering the Little Mountain trails from Wildberry Lane -- at the bottom of the short connector from Wildberry Lane onto Hawks View trail, you can now only turn left. The old trail to the right led into the landfill site and has been blocked by dropped trees.
These two trails add another 1.5 miles to the FETA system and brings the total length of FETA trails on Little Mountain to over eleven miles. This is a beautiful section of the FETA system - remember, as FETA landowners, the County and Hughes Creek Preserve expect us to enforce FETA rules regarding no riding on closed trails. Please do not jeopardize your FETA membership by trespassing where you are not permitted.
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| The Heart of Dixie Trail Ride |
 My daughter, Bergen, and I drove to Troy, Alabama the weekend before Thanksgiving. We took our geldings Jet and Lance. Our favorite long-time riding and camping buddies from Florida met us at the camp ground. Heart of Dixie is an ideal half-way point to meet friends from Florida. I'd always thought about places in Georgia but couldn't find any that are half way. Troy is about 40 miles southeast of Montgomery, less than 400 miles both directions and an easy drive on the Interstate.
The temperature was about 15 degrees warmer than Tryon. Footing is excellent (not too sandy and okay for a barefoot horse). The trails gently roll through pine forests, hardwood hammocks, and are picturesque along the river. We arrived shortly after a large group had departed. The campground, stalls, and paddocks were immaculate (all manure picked up). The bathhouse was spotless. Small cabins are available if you prefer not to camp. Hotels are nearby too. If you're looking for a winter get away or new trails to explore, I highly recommend The Heart of Dixie Trail Ride. Faith Jorgenson |
| Mark Your 2009 Calendar |
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Spring Clean The Trails*
Member Welcome Party June 11th 6pm at FENCE
Annual Safety Fair*
Annual Meeting and BBQ October 3rd at FENCE
Fall Clean-Up Day*
*To be announced |
| Trail Status |
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FENCE Trails and Parking Lot Closed
Feb 8 Hunter Pace
Feb 15 Rain date for Hunter Pace
Mar 8 Go Fly a Kite
Peniel Parking Lot and Area Trails Closed
Feb 18
Mar 11 |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
 We get a lot of the same questions from members. We will try to answer a few of those questions in each newsletter. Which trails are closed when the FENCE and Peniel Road Parking lots are closed? If only one part of the system is closed, it usually means that there is a special event on that date in a specific area only. The event may not effect the whole system so only named trails involved in the event may be closed. Peniel Road Trails are closed usually for fox hunting. Riders would be in danger if they venture out when the hunt is going on. The area affected during fox hunting is north of Peniel Road between Smith Dairy Road and Bill Colllins Road. When the FENCE parking lot is closed and the FETA trails are open, parking is not permitted due to a FENCE event or a Hunter Pace. These events would affect the trails on and around FENCE. Choose another trail to ride on the dates when these trails are closed. Can I take a beginner trail rider as a guest? No. Landowners expect all riders to have basic skills and competence. The release you and your guest sign states that the rider has the skill, experience, and physical capacity to safely participate in trail riding, a high-risk sport. Landowners are not willing to take the risk, so keep those beginners home in a ring or on your own property. Don't jeopardize FETA's insurance or our trails, or your friends and relatives, by taking a chance on the trails with a rider unable to control a horse. Why isn't there a map of the FETA Trails? There are a number of reasons, but most importantly it is to honor landowner privacy. A map would be vulnerable to internet access to ATV or other groups. The map size would also be prohibitive. If you have questions about a trail, call Dave Smith at 275-2873. There are members who have volunteered as trail guides to help you learn your way around (see "Trail Guides" below). |
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Guided Trail Rides |
 If you would like to host a ride, please contact Faith Jorgenson at fetanews@aol.com. Send your name, contact information, and the area you ride.
For riding at The Cotton Patch, Chinquapin, Pony Track, Rondo Ridge, Stoneybrook contact Faith Jorgenson 828-817-5412 fjorgenson@aol.com. Faith is also available to explore trails in the southeast region.
Lyn Owen is familiar with all FETA trails and may be contacted at
You may also contact Ric and Kathy Rondell
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| Photos From Our Friends |
 Last winter I let Midnight and Candy wander around the yard while I was cleaning the barn. I went to check on them. Guess what they found? Sunflower seeds in the bird feeders! I put a caption on the bottom "Hey Mom, bird seed is a nice change!" I had a heck of a time getting them out of it and I had just filled all my feeders. The other feeders can be taken down but this one is permanent. Ken and Sandy Jobe Hearts Desire Farm Columbus | |
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Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
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