| Preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina foothills hunting country |
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FETA Newsletter
Spring 2011 |
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| Greetings! |
Spring has finally sprung and one of the snowiest winters in three decades is behind us. In contrast to last winter, riders saw few trail closings this year. In addition to reporting trees down, I would like to remind everyone to also alert us when a favorite trail begins to disappear due to vegetation growth. We love to get a jump on overgrowth and stay ahead of the kudzu.
When riding, be on the lookout for Carol Propest. Carol does a great job of keeping our 150 miles (give or take) of trails in tip-top shape. In addition to handling a chainsaw with the best of them, Carol also knows the name of nearly every type of tree, shrub, and plant on our system and she loves to meet folks out enjoying the trails.
In the next few weeks, the 2011-2012 membership renewal forms will arrive in your inboxes. Over the past several years, we have managed to avoid an increase in our membership dues. The rising cost of nearly everything to do with maintaining our magnificent system requires a small increase of $20 this year. On behalf of the board, I want to thank you for sharing the load in these tough times and for continuing to send in "a little extra" to help defray costs.
Please join us for our Spring Trail Workday on Saturday, April 16th. We will venture into previously uncharted territories. And remember to keep the evening of June 9th open for our New Member Welcome Picnic at FENCE. We will enjoy plenty of food and drink as we marvel at the giant five by eight foot trail map on display.
Happy Trails!
President Dan |
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Time to Renew Your Membership |
Watch for your 2011-12 membership application via email around April 1.
- Send email changes to me at information@fetatrails.org. This will insure delivery of the application to your inbox.
- Check your records now and call your vet to update your Coggins if necessary. Outdated or missing Coggins is a frequent problem.
- Carefully read and fill in all the blanks on your application.
- There are two forms to sign:
1. the Release/Waiver/Helmet Form
2. the FETA Rules Agreement.
By signing, you are accepting the rules and conditions required by FETA landowners.
Thank you ahead of time for being conscientious with your application. Turn around time will be quick if all is in order.
GUESTS MUST SIGN A RELEASE FORM. Guest release forms are included in the membership packet you will receive along with your prized saddle tag. The Guest Release should be submitted to FETA before the ride. Releases may be submitted by any of the following:
- Fax it to me at 828-894-0182.
- Email scanned release to information@fetatrails.org.
- Mail to FETA, PO Box 1453, Columbus, NC 28722
- Place in one of the trail-head boxes at FENCE or Peniel Road trailer parking lots.
You may download additional releases at www.fetatrails.org.
My gelding Quinn and I hope to see you on the trails this spring!
Birdie Axelrod
information@fetatrails.org
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Welcome Picnic for New FETA Members |
Thursday, June 9, 2011
6:30pm Fence Main Hall
All FETA Members bring your appetite and a covered dish to give a friendly welcome to our newest members. This is a great opportunity to meet riders from your neighborhood, check out the latest edition of the FETA trail map, and locate new trails. You can sign up to ride with others in the areas you'd like to explore. If you want information on our trails, this is THE event. Our trail crew will be there to answer your questions. We are planning a brief "New Member Orientation." The orientation is open to all FETA Members who wish to attend.
Our picnic is potluck. Please bring a dish to share.
Last names beginning A-G please bring a salad or side dish.
Last names beginning H-N please bring a dessert.
Last names beginning O-Z please bring an entrée (meat dish).
FETA will provide soft drinks and bottled water.
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2010 Spending | |
We are often asked what FETA dues are used for.
Every dollar goes into membership, maintaining the trail system, and insuring the landowners. In 2010 we were able to accomplish a lot within our budget.
Numerous trails were restored including the backstretch at Pony Track, Hays Hollow, Dark Horse Lane, Rondo Ridge, the creek crossing at FENCE, Cartwright's Trace and several trails on Ed Cochran's property. There is work done most weeks just to maintain the trails; cutting back growth and fallen trees, getting the leaner's down before they fall and trying to stay ahead of erosion.
The other large and unfortunately growing expense is insurance. We have no choice but to "pay the piper." The system could not exist without insurance. It is also why we HAVE TO sign releases and have our guests sign them.
And finally, we have the cost of running the membership. This includes tags, mailings, printing (which is down over 70% in 2 years since Faith Jorgenson started the e-newsletters and Roberta Axelrod moved our membership renewals to email), phone line, website, postage and annual BBQ.
We'll continue to be vigilant with your membership dollars in 2011. |
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Favorite Loop Trail: Rondo Ridge Section A | |
(1) Park at Scrivens Road parking area
(2) Cross the creek and go uphill on the pipeline for approximately 50 feet from the creek then turn left into the woods.
(3) Continue along parallel to Hooker Road headed west until you come to an intersection. Old Country Loop will be to the left over the creek. Choose either a) or b) below.
a. Turn left over the culvert, then right onto Old Country Loop. You should be at Bee Meadow (painfully named). Take this trail to the right where it eventually takes you back to a creek crossing. Once across, you will be back onto the main trail. Turn left onto the main trail again.
b. Continue straight on the main trail.
(4) After passing the creek crossing where Old Country Loop rejoins the main trail, the trail begins to climb and turn to the right. You will come to a sharp right elbow in the trail. Do not go straight at this intersection or you will leave the FETA trail. It should be well marked with a NO FETA sign. Bear up and around to the right. The trail turns up the mountain to the left. This is a steep trail.
(5) Once you reach the top of the trail, you must turn right. The trail to the left is NO FETA. Stay on the main trail. There are trails to the left that will be covered in a different loop. Continue on this trail until you reach the pipeline.
(6) At the pipeline, turn right and head down the right side of the mown area. When you reach the steep part, the trail will enter the woods, and wind around, bringing you back out onto the pipeline, not far from where you originally entered the trail system. |
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Florida Panhandle Trail Ride |
 Hoping to escape to warmer weather, we went horse camping in the Florida Panhandle at the beginning of March. Three days at the Blackwater River State Forest near the Alabama border were cold and rainy. We were disappointed with the scenery as well. The riding consists mostly of planted pines which had recently undergone a controlled burn. We had higher hopes for The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park and weren't disappointed. It was 15 degrees warmer, full sun, and beautiful canopied trails along the moss draped banks of the Suwannee. The barn and campground were clean and the staff helpful. The town of Live Oak is nearby. We were able to pick up supplies at Wal-Mart and enjoy dinner out at two local restaurants, The Brown Lantern and The Dixie Grill. Both have excellent food. Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is easy to get to off I-75 or I-10. Click here if you would like to follow this link to more photos from this ride on my Facebook page. |
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Riding in our Region |
 | | Carole Milne and Jeep crossing at Earl's Ford |
 | | Looking upstream from South Carolina side |
We loaded up the horses and headed out for a day ride at Rocky Gap in the Sumter National Forest just north of Walhalla, South Carolina. The Chattooga River divides Georgia and South Carolina in this region. There are three locations to cross the river into Georgia. The Willis Knob horse trails are on the Georgia side and skirt the banks of the Chattooga better than those on the South Carolina side. The Chattooga is a wild and scenic river with rapids and boulders. The movie "Deliverance" was filmed here. It is a beautiful ride. Rocky Gap is easy to get to down Highway 11 to Walhalla and north on 28 to Whetstone Road to reach the Whetstone Horse Camp. The horse camp is well maintained. The trailer parking sites are leveled with gravel and outlined by timbers. There are fire rings, lantern stands, and sunken posts for high lines. We did not camp but plan to. Click here if you would like to follow the link to my Facebook page to see more photos from our ride.
We are planning rides to Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and to South Mountain State Park. If you would like to join us, you can email me at fjorgenson@aol.com.
Faith Jorgenson
Editor |
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Parking Areas | |
FETA has four official parking areas. The entire system of trails may be accessed from these lots.
FENCE
From I-26, east or west. Take SC Exit #1 toward Landrum.
Go 1.5 miles, then turn right onto Bomar Road (look for the Land Mart on the corner).
Go one short block, turn right onto Prince Road.
Follow Prince Road for approximately 1.5 miles.
Turn left onto Hunting Country Road (just before the I-26 overpass).
Follow Hunting Country Road for approximately 3/4 mile.
Equestrian Center entrance, Mane Gate Lane, will be on the left just before the I-26 underpass.
For the main FENCE entrance for the FENCE Center, hiking trails and TROT barn, continue on Hunting Country Road under the I-26 underpass to the main FENCE gates on your right.
Spicer/Hooker Road Parking
Located just past the intersection of Old River Road and Spicer Road, along the right side of the road, just before the pipeline. Rondo Ridge and Cotton Patch areas are accessible from this parking area.
Peniel Road Parking
Located on Peniel Road, 3/4 of a mile west of the intersection of Henderson Road, Luther Durham Road, and Peniel Road. Situated on the edge of a hay field, riders are reminded to keep to the designated parking. Do not drive or ride your horses in the field.
Scriven Road
Scriven Trails have officially opened. Parking is available on Scriven Road, just east of Markham Road and west of the Scriven Plantation home. For now, riders can access the Scriven Trails and/or hack along Scriven Road to the Rondo Ridge/Cotton Patch area. Future trail expansion plans will use this parking area to access more Hooker and Rondo Ridge trails.
In addition, there are unofficial parking areas. They are:
Located on Carriage Row, just before the intersection with Hunting Country Road. Several trails may be accessed. You may ride along Carriage Row when trails are closed. Riding on the roads is permissible when the trails are closed but be aware that you may not use a FETA trail to get to the road. Do not tie to fences. Never tie your horse to anything they can pull loose from in the event of a panic. Horses have been known to pull away from fences that remain attached to the lead rope. Compounding the flight response is the object chasing them which usually results in injury.
Fields Edge
Park along the fence near the Morgan Chapel Bridge. Do not ride across the short end of the field. The Field's Edge trail starts at the end of the fence. Many trails may be accessed from here but don't abuse your parking privilege by tying to the fence.
River Road
My favorite parking on River Road is almost to the western end, just past Appaloosa Lane. There is a pull off there. Access Rondo Ridge, Cotton Patch, and Hays Hollow. You can back track down River road, cross the river, and ride River's Edge from there.
Jobe Parking
Located on Wizard Way, the last right on Bill Collins Road before going under Hwy 74 from the south. It is located at the residence of Ken and Sandy Jobe. Their drive is on the right, 100 yards from Bill Collins. Park across from the driveway along the edge of the field.
Remember that you may not ride when trails are closed. Information about vehicles, the date/time, vehicle tag numbers, both truck and trailer, are usually recorded by someone passing by in case a question arises which FETA needs to address. We take the protection of the best trail system on the East Coast seriously. Thank you for your help in maintaining it with us. |
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Questions or comments? Board members are happy to talk to you any time. They are:
Dan Hecht, President Faith Jorgenson, Communications
Dot Moyer, Vice President Roberta Axelrod, Membership
Judith Kerns, Secretary Rhonda King, Member Relations
Anne Swift, Treasurer Bill Beardslee, Finance
Dave Smith, Trails Chair
At large members: Nancy Mahler, Maude Carr, Tina Walker, and Ric Rondell
Trail Area Representatives are:
Nancy: Chinquapin Farm Dot: Pretty Bottom, Stonybrook
Rhonda: Pony Track, Hunting Woods Judith: River Rd, Carriage Row
Faith, Bill: Hunting Country Rd to River Rd Dan, Roberta, Dave: North Peniel Trails
Ric: Rondo Ridge, River's Edge Maude, Tina: Little Mountain Trails
Anne: FENCE
FETA's Board meets the 4th Tuesday evening of the month at 6:30. All members are welcome to attend, raise questions or issues at the start of the meeting, or just observe. Contact Dan Hecht for location. No July or December meeting. |
Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
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