LOCATION:  The Main House at FENCE 

Barbecue with all the fixins, soft drinks, and tea.

The fax number printed at the bottom of all guest releases is no longer in service. Guest releases can no longer be sent via fax. Please forward guest releases to Membership by email or US postal service. Guest releases are to be turned in BEFORE the ride.

 

Guest releases and negative Coggins reports may also be photographed with a smart phone and sent to Robert Axelrod at 954-298-9116.

             

Start of Green Gait Trail at Green Gait Driveway

              














Please note that the trail from Morgan Chapel Bridge to the driveway at Green Gait Farm is Dark Horse Trail.  From the Green Gait Farm driveway to FENCE, the trail is Green Gait.

There have been a number of bear sightings in Hunting Country in recent months.  Following is an excerpt from a web page of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park regarding bears that you may find helpful.  Also included on the page is an informative video.  While our concern as trail riders is more focused on meeting a bear on horseback, this article describes the nature of the bear and what behavior we should look for in the event of an encounter.  One of my favorite quotes is from Hall of Fame cowboy and clinician Craig Cameron who often says, "It's your job to take the fear out of the horse."  It is our responsibility to teach (de-spook/desensitize) our horse in a safe environment long before we come across anything frightening on the trail.  Your life may depend on how well you've done that job.

From the GSMNP webpage:  If you see a bear remain watchful. Do not approach it. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.)-you're too close. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Try to increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.

If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting, change your direction. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Act aggressively to intimidate the bear. Act together as a group if you have companions. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. Use a deterrent such as a stout stick. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems.

Most injuries from black bear attacks are minor and result from a bear attempting to get at people's food. If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you're physically attacked, separate yourself from the food and slowly back away.

If the bear shows no interest in your food and you're physically attacked, fight back aggressively with any available object--the bear may consider you as prey! Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Above all, keep your distance from bears!

Carol Propest has been busy cutting back new growth and tending to fallen trees on the trail. Please remember to report fallen trees, trail obstructions, or any safety concerns that you encounter while riding. Carol is updating trail signs and checking bridges for safety. Be sure to thank her for all of her hard work should you meet her on the trail.

 

The logging operation on Frank Smith's property in the North Peniel section should be wrapping up soon. There is much to be done to restore the trails in the aftermath of the operation.  It may take up to six weeks for clean up.

 

 

 

Please check the FETA website for specific trail status updates. The telephone number for trail open/closed status is 828-894-0496 but please check the website for a full list of trail updates. 

An article in the May 18 edition of the Times News reports that a bike park will open adjacent to Dupont State Forest.  The park will feature a pump track, dirt jumps, and tours and will be constructed on what was Shoal Falls Farm.  The farm sold for more than $3 million after two years on the market with the new owners describing it as "one of the most beautiful places on earth.

The 145-acre farm just off Crab Creek Road will be called the Oskar Blues REEB Ranch, named after the brewery's line of manufactured mountain bikes (REEB is beer spelled backward). Construction of the bike park should begin this summer.

Click here to read the entire article.

  

Access Jackie's Bottom Trail off South River Road near the bridge by turning west onto the trail. Riders may access this trail by parking on River Road in the pull off area just east of South River Road or by parking in the designated pull off on Hooker Road then riding on River Road to South River Road.

 

Follow Jackie's Bottom Trail along the Pacolet River (river will be on your right). At the end of Jackie's Bottom Trail, riders may turn right onto TJ's Trace and ride along the river or turn left onto Olympic Trail passing between the two back pastures of Cotton Patch. TJ's Trace comes back into Olympic trail.

 

Continue on toward the goats' pasture onto Waterfall Way (from TJ's Trace turn right onto Olympic Trail and head toward the goats). Another trail split option here. Riders can go right onto Riverside Lounge which follows the river and returns to Waterfall Way or continue straight.

 

Continue on Waterfall Way past the waterfall (coming out of Riverside Lounge, turn right onto Waterfall Way). Follow the trail up the hill. Continue straight onto Trillium Trail. The river is on the right.

 

At the next trail intersection, take the fork right onto Placer Mines Trail. Do not turn left to continue on Trillium Trail. This will take you away from the river in the direction of Hunting Country Road.

 

Continue on Placer Mines Trail with the river on your right. The trail ends at the confluence of Vaughn Creek (in front of you) and the North Pacolet River on your right. Cross Vaughn Creek by passing between the two boulders to the left. Once in the creek, walk in the direction of the river and turn left out of the creek onto TOT Trail (Town of Tryon). This is a sandy trail home to ground hogs. WATCH YOUR STEP. Guide your horse along the well trod path.

 

After passing the water treatment plant, enter the wooded area ahead. The trail becomes Cane Shoals Trail. You are now on the Scriven Trails section. Follow the trail, keeping the river on your right, to the intersection of Little Creek and Pipeline.

 

For a shorter, flat ride, take Little Creek to the right and continue along the river. The Pacolet bends north and Little Creek flows into it from the west. The trail then runs along Little Creek instead of the Pacolet. Follow the trail to the ford at Little Creek. Cross the creek and follow the trail along the eastern edge of the field then up onto Scriven Road. Turn right onto Scriven Road. Skip to ** below.

 

For a longer, hilly ride, fork left to take Pipeline Trail up the hill. At the top of the hill, turn left. Follow the trail along the treatment plant pipeline easement. As the trail narrows closer to the plant property be on the lookout for the trail uphill to the right. Once up the small hill, go left. This trail follows the treatment plant boundary then curves to the right. Follow the FETA diamond marker and turn right uphill onto the Scriven Ridge Trail. This trail follows the ridge then descends along Little Creek. Ford Little Creek and follow the trail to the open field which is the designated FETA parking lot off Scriven Road. Ride across the field to access Scriven Road. There are FETA markers with arrows pointing toward Scriven Road. Turn right onto Scriven Road. Ride along Scriven Road, heading east toward Cotton Patch.

 

**Cross the bridge on Scriven Road that goes over the Pacolet River. Gunter Road is on the left and a planted (or plowed) tomato field is on the right. Scriven Road becomes gravel. Stay on Scriven until you reach the Ag Tract at Cotton Patch on the right.

 

Take the Ag Tract Trail down the embankment to the right and ride along the edge of the Ag Tract, heading south toward the Pacolet. At the corner, turn left on the edge of the field, keeping the river on your right. Follow the edge of the field to the river crossing. Turn right and ford the Pacolet river, exiting the river on the trail to the right.

 

Once out of the river, you will be on Riverside Lounge. Turn left. At Olympic Trail, turn left and reverse the ride back to your trailer.

 

   

About this loop

 

All of the trails named in this loop have trail name signs and FETA diamonds.

 

Approximately ½ mile of this ride is on Scriven Road. Scriven Road is not well traveled and generally safe for riders.

 

As with any trail that is new to you, pay attention to your direction of travel and watch for trail signs and markers. Distractions from fellow riders can result in missing a trail and losing your way.

Access to FETA trails is a privilege not a right.  FETA members are invited guests and should conduct themselves accordingly.  Offer a friendly smile and wave when you encounter others on the trail.  The person you pass by may be the one on whose land you are riding.

Landowners often walk their dogs, drive atv's and golf carts, and host non-horse friends on their trails.  It is their land and their right to do so.  As a guest, members are required to be respectful of our land owners and asked to show appreciation for the generous gift they have so freely given to us.

Ride friendly, ride safely.

Faith Jorgenson
Foothills Equestrian Trails Association