trail riding
Giddy Up and Go!
by Janine Wilder
 The Corner on Canyons
FOUR CORNERS: SEE FOUR STATES FROM CAMP.
Within an hour’s drive of Blanding, Utah, you can be riding in Colorado, Arizona, or
New Mexico. The prominent geographic feature looking east is Sleeping Ute Mountain,
a gorgeous landmark located one state over in southwestern Colorado and one of four
major landmarks trail riders in this area use for navigation. To the south lie the Chuska
Mountains in Arizona. To the north, the Abajo Mountains. In the west, you can spot the
Bear’s Ears, located on Elk Ridge in beautiful southern Utah.
Blanding is surrounded by thousands of acres of forest—including the Manti-La Sal
National Forest in southeastern Utah, which is riddled with hundreds of miles of trails.
The Forest is divided into three land areas: the Manti Division, the La Sal Division at
Moab, and the La Sal Division at Monticello.
The Manti Division is part of the remnant Wasatch Plateau and features high elevation
lakes, stunning scenery, and points of geologic interest.
On the La Sal Division-Moab, mountain peaks, canyons, and forest add scenic contrast
to the hot red-rock landscape of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
The La Sal Division-Monticello offers timbered slopes to provide a welcome middle
ground and background contrast to the sand and heat of Canyonlands National Park,
Natural Bridges National Monument, and the surrounding desert.
 A Brush with Brushy Creek
ROLLING HILLS OF IOWA HIDE A HAVEN FOR HORSE LOVERS.
You don’t think of Iowa as a heaven for horsemen, but this rolling hill and farm community
has a little hidden secret for the trail rider and other outdoorsmen. The Brushy
Creek State Recreation Area is one of Iowa’s largest tracts of public outdoor recreation
land set aside for the sportsman, and horsemen, in particular, will appreciate some of
the most modern facilities anywhere.
Besides the excellent equestrian campgrounds, there is a campground for people
without horses located near the boat ramp and beach area with 39 sites with electricity
and 8 with electricity, water, and sewer hookups. For day use, there is a staging area
near both equestrian campgrounds. There is no charge for day use.
The 690 acre lake, with jetties and piers, offers the fisherman a great place to catch
small mouth bass and pan fish, and boating gives the fisherman more advantages. On
the west side of the lake you can go for a dip from the nice sandy beach.
 Go Down Moses
MOSES CONE MEMORIAL PARK OFFERS AN EXODUS
FROM URBAN EXTREMES.
A beautiful Victorian mansion sits
atop Flat Top Mountain as the overseer
of its 3,517-acre estate. Known as the
“Denim King,” Moses Cone and his
wife, Bertha, built this gorgeous estate
as a getaway from his textile empire he
and brother started after the Civil War.
This magnificent estate was literally
made for the enjoyment of the equestrian.
Over the miles of carriage trails that
wind through the mountainous terrain,
you will pass by lakes, trees, flowers,
and the most stunning scenery you’ll
see anywhere.
White oaks, red maple, mountain
magnolia, black cherry, and tulip poplar
are the most prevalent trees in the park.
Rhododendron and mountain laurel
line many of the trails. You can also ride
through the orchard of apple trees, and
also look for the white pine forest and
hemlock hedges.
The Manor House has a craft shop
and bookstore, and at the nearby
Blowing Rock Stables, you can rent
horses by the hour or day. The stables
also offer camping for your horse rig,
and a stall for your horse.
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