| Preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina foothills hunting country |
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FETA Newsletter
Fall 2012 |
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Greetings! | |
Fall is finally upon us making it one of the most beautiful times of the year to ride. Hope you are enjoying it! Ride happy and stay safe; bridges and hills can be slippery with leaves.
Even though it was touch-and-go with rain, the sky cleared just long enough for us to have our annual Membership BBQ and Meeting on Saturday night, October 6. We said a fond farewell to Trail Master Dave Smith and our insurance expert Bill Beardslee who both rotated off the FETA board. We welcomed Jim Troppmann, new owner of Fox Knoll Farm, and Mike Frye whose experience as an attorney will help guide us.
The extremely rainy summer brought a decision to divide the system into two parts for the telephone trail status. Although we haven't needed to divide the trail openings often, it seems to be working out. With changing weather conditions, remember to call the status line (894-0496) prior to every ride. And thank you Ranger Ric for a great job with that!
We wouldn't have a trail system without our land owners' generosity. Be sure to smile and say hello.
Ride Safe and Friendly
Judith |
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On the Trail with Ranger Ric |
It has been a busy summer with many of the trails being named or renamed and more user friendly directional signs added. Extensive grading work has been done at Little Mountain Trails, Rondo Ridge, Pony Track, and Waterfall Trail in Stoneybrook. Grading is underway at Upper Ridgeview. A big thank you to Jonathan Rowe for these trail improvements.
Fox Knoll Farm (formerly Ed Cochran Trails) has also undergone extensive grading work. Most of the new signs are in place. The lower sections of the trails between Fox Knoll and Honey Hill are still being worked on. A plan is in place to re-route wet, boggy areas.
The Little Mountain Trails have new signs. Our trail volunteer, Bob Lesowitz, has done an outstanding job keeping these trails cleared and well marked. At the bottom of Preservation Trail there are two beautiful loops that go into the forest and along a creek bed. Big Loop and Cross Creek don't connect with other trails so riders must enter and exit the trail at the same spot. It is well worth the time to ride these beautiful closed loops.
Rondo Ridge is a work in progress. New directional signs are being hung. An old trail has been reopened and will soon be renamed "Lesowitz Loop." This trail was formerly known as Waterfall Connector. It begins at the top of Rondo Ridge Trail, just before the pipeline heading north, then it goes east down the ridgeline toward I-26. The trail was closed due to severe erosion. It is now repaired and much safer. At the bottom is a lovely creek crossing. It ambles back up the ridge, eventually connecting back to the bottom of the Waterfall Trail. Because Rondo is a little out of the way, I encourage members to take advantage of the two parking areas close to the trail head. There is one parking area on River Road. It is on the left coming from Morgan Chapel just before South River Road. The other is on Hooker Road. It is on the side of the road just past the intersection of River Road and Scriven Road on the right going away from River Road toward Highway 108. FETA signs are posted on trees along the designated pull-off area.
Cotton Patch trails have been expanded and new trail signs added. These trails are always a beautiful ride.
Kathy and I ride almost every Sunday morning, weather and trail permitting. If anyone would like to join us and learn more about the trails, call me at 828-894-8473.
Happy Trails All!
Ranger Ric |
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Favorite Loop: Peniel Parking to Hughes Creek Preserve by Dave Smith | 
Park at Peniel Parking.
Ride around the edge of the field until you cross Peniel Road onto McIntyre Trail. Follow McIntyre through a total of four gates, making sure the two inside gates are closed after you pass through them.
Cross Henderson Road and turn left for 100 feet, then right onto Maude Carr's trail system. Take Orchard Grass straight ahead, keeping the field on your left and the woods on your right until you come to an entrance into the woods in the corner of the field.
NOTE: There is one entrance there that is clearly marked NO FETA. This is a private trail. Please respect the owner's wishes.
Once into the woods, follow the trail out of the woods, up a hill with a meadow to your left, back into the woods, until you reach another large field. Turn right on Barn Trail toward Golf Course Road. Follow the trail until it turns sharply left along a fence line. At the end of the fence, turn right onto Hidden Hollow trail and follow it 100 feet or so to Golf Course Road. Cross the road, enter Mike's Way.
Mike's Way takes you down and across Little Mountain Road to the Bridge Trail. You are in Hughes Creek Preserve, formerly called Little Mountain Trails.
Take either the Bridge Trail to the right, or Preservation Trail to the left from Mike's Trail. The Bridge Trail will take you to Preservation. Follow Preservation until you get to Hawk's View. Taking Hawk's View to the right or left will take you in a long loop, back to Preservation. Retrace your route home. Be sure to pack water and a snack. This is a long ride.
McIntyre - 2633 feet
Orchard Grass - 2828 feet
Woods - 2113 feet
Barn Trail - 1397 feet
Hidden Hollow to Mike's - 482 feet
Mikes to Preservation to the left - 1369 feet
Preservation - 1.55 miles
Hawk's View - 3.4 miles
There and back is 7.2 miles plus Hawk's View of 3.4 is a total of 10.6 miles. Not a bad ride at all! Just think, if you were on the range, you would just about be getting to the first fence to mend and the sun is just barely up. |
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Deer Hunting Schedule for 2012 | |
 We are half way through deer hunting season. The complete schedule is posted for your reference. It is always a good idea to wear bright-colored clothing during hunting season. Orange hunting vests, orange saddle pads, and orange helmet covers ensure visibility for you and your horse.
Sep 10 - Sep 29 Archery
Oct 1 - Oct 13 Muzzelloader
Nov 19 - Dec 8 Gun |
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2012 Fox Hunting Schedule and FETA Trail Closings |
The 2012 Fox Hunting Schedule is listed below. Please note that Thickety Ridge Trails will be closed on these dates. Thickety Ridge Trails are located off Peniel Road.
2012 2013
Fri Nov 2 Wed Jan 2
Wed Nov 19 Wed Feb 13
Sat Mar 2 |
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Guest Release Clause From Your FETA Membership Rules Agreement |
- Members must obtain a properly executed Guest Release Agreement and return it to FETA by mail, fax, or place it in the parking lot mailboxes PRIOR to trail use.
- Members may only bring personal guests who have not directly or indirectly paid for their recreational use. No commercial use of any type is permitted.
- Members are legally responsible for their guest(s), including any liability or damages resulting from any accident, injury, loss or damage, including death.
- Local residents may only ride once per month as any member's guest.
- Employees and trainers who use the Property more than once per month in total must have their own FETA membership.
- Members must accompany their guests at all times, and are responsible for their compliance with the Rules.
- A guest must carry a guest tag and current Coggins test. Guests that haul in must have a guest parking tag easily visible on the dashboard of their tow vehicle.
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Lost and Found | |
Two items have been found on the trail at Cotton Patch:
- large pocket knife found several months ago
- flask found in October
Please call Faith to identify at 828-817-5412. |
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Questions or comments? Board members are happy to talk to you any time. They are:
Judith Kerns, President Faith Jorgenson, Communications
Dot Moyer, Vice President Roberta Axelrod, Membership
Gail Gardner, Secretary Rhonda King, Member Relations
Anne Swift, Treasurer & Trails Chair Ric Rondell, Trails Chair
At large members: Holly Dake, Mike Frye, Nancy Mahler, Jim Troppmann, Tina Walker
Trail Area Representatives are:
Nancy: Chinquapin Farm Dot: Pretty Bottom, Stonybrook
Rhonda: Pony Track, Hunting Woods Judith: River Rd, Carriage Row
Faith: Hunting Country Rd to River Rd Ric: North Peniel Trails
Anne: FENCE Tina: Little Mountain Trails
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 Judith Kerns for location. No July or December meeting. |
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Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association
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