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Fourteen very hardy or very determined (I’m not sure which) riders showed up for the ride last Saturday in spite of the rain. It did turn out to be a good ride for our horses and none of us melted. We actually had 16 horses as Alan and Iris Bennett brought 4 of their Friesian horses with Alan driving their 2 year old. My horse, Mouse thought that was a pretty spooky set-up to begin with.

In addition to the Bennetts and Gene and I, we had Len and Kathy Rolph leading the way, Larry Hale with his guest Sue Wade from Kalama, Wendy Hall, Myrna Loy from La Center, Nathan Goodman and his guest Valerie also from La Center and Jim and Victoria Konopasek from Mosier.

The sheer rock walls of the Klickitat River as seen from the Skunk Canyon Overlook are spectacular even in the rain. A big thanks to Len and Kathy for getting us there and back.

Chapter Ride Report

Deschutes Railbed

Saturday, April 18

Report by Connie Baugher, Trail Scout

Photos by Phyllis Hale

Ten Mt. Adams Chapter members enjoyed the most perfect weather for our ride up the Deschutes River. The good weather and display of wild flowers also attracted a number of hikers, campers and bike riders and most of the contacts with them were very pleasant. We rode in small groups which worked well for our horses and for the other users. We learned that the main reason for the 10 horse limit was because of the very limited parking.

Now for a tiny bit of history. Two competing railroad companies started work on running a train line from the Columbia River to Bend, Oregon almost 100 years ago on July 27, 1909. Somewhere upriver from where we rode, the line on the east side of the river had to switch to the west side because of the difficult terrain. The ensuing Railroad War caused the US government to step in. The west side track is the Oregon Trunk Line of Union Pacific and is still in use.

I did have an interesting phone call from the Park Ranger about a letter they had received from two bikers who complained about the 15 horses and riders (only 10) and the rude riders and out of control horses. From what I have learned this pair of bikers were the rude ones and riding past the horses from the rear far too fast for safety. I suggested to the Park Ranger that they could have better signs. However, I also think that we should be making more contact with bikers and asking them to let the riders know when they are approaching from behind and to push the bikes by the horses if they are asked to do so.

All in all, this is a neat place for an early spring ride.

Photos:

Upper: Linda Welker on her Paso Fino mare.

Center: Riders enjoy a lunch break at the old corral

Lower: Larry Hale wrangles a bull snake.

Left: Samples of the gorgeous scenery.