Ancient Lakes Trail Ride: No Swimming Allowed

The Kittitas Valley Trail Riders have started their spring rides way early this year. I missed out on a nice one a couple of weeks ago (I just had too much to do around here), but I got all my weekend chores and a few small projects done Saturday, so I could justify going along Sunday.

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We were to venture across the mighty Columbia River to the Quincy Lakes wildlife area, and ride to the Ancient Lakes, between two levels of coulees--cliffs scoured by the release of glacial Lake Missoula as the glaciers receded-- where Columbia Basin farms and wineries give way to the river gorge.

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We would park just south of the small farm patch to the far north west in this map. Our destination was Ancient Lake in the south east corner. That's the edge of the Columbia to the west. From straight up one can't really appreciate the height of the cliff surrounding this group of lakes...

Pat offered to haul Kate and I (it's my turn next ride) and we met up with four other trailers in Kittitas. We headed over Ryegrass Pass...

...and down to the bridge at Vantage.

On the way up the other side of the gorge, we passed these larger-than-life steel sculptures, called

"Grandpa Cuts Loose the Ponies"

based on the Native American legend of how the horse came to the plains.Picked up another trailer on the way, and headed down the first level of the coulee. This small herd of buffalo watched our caravan's progress.I wanted to get Kate a little settled before I pulled out the camera--she had done a little of her "airs-above-the-ground" when I pulled her out of the barn. So we just ambled along for the first couple of miles. But she was much better behaved than a couple of the other horses, who were feeling the effects of brisk night temperatures (25f.) and spring-like days. So I pulled out the Nikon.

Looking south-east towards the lake.We stopped for a rest overlooking the lake, and a hiker offered to take our picture. The lake is just to the left of my shoulder, here, but because it was reflecting the cliff above, it looks much like the rest of the surrounding terrain in this photo. Note the little waterfall tucked in under the shadowed rock face.The rest of the group. There were ten riders in all, but several other smaller groups of horses left the parking area as well (though we didn't see any of them during our 2 1/2 hour ride).Mounted up again and ready to move out.Headed northwest along the base of the coulee. The Columbia is straight ahead, but down a very rocky path through a cut in another cliff...Another day...Back at the trailer. Kate is still wearing most of her winter coat, so she looks soggy here, but she really only worked hard climbing a few of the hilly spots. Pat had suggested that I put her boots on all around, and I glad I did: much of the trail was soft dirt, but a few places at the base of the cliffs were covered with jagged basalt (volcanic) rock. We bush-whacked through a lot of sage as well.Crossing the mighty Columbia on the way home.

I was definitely pleased with Kate's behavior and effort. She kept up with the group, and didn't buy into any of the shenannigans of the other horses. We crossed several large muddy puddles, with only a slight hesitation. After the first mile or so, she would stand quietly when we waited for others to adjust their gear, or stragglers to catch up.

All in all, a great ride!