Gaited Trail Horses of Colorado - Trail Ride Photos

Below are photos of some of the many trail rides we take our gaited trail horses on while training them to become your perfect gaited partner that you can enjoy trail riding with for hours.

Dome Rock Trail Ride

Location: Dome Rock, West of Colorado Springs
off Highway 67 (highway to Cripple Creek, Colorado)
Date: Fall 2007

Trail Ride Description: Dome Rock is without a doubt one of the top three rides I have taken in my lifetime. The trail meanders thru rock, Ponderosa Pines and across water with enough elevation that your horse gets a good work out. The footing is small granite and makes for a very sure footed ride. There is one water crossing that is well over the horses sholders that is really fun. We saw 8 pairs of Big Horn Mountain Sheep up close. The views from the West side of Pikes Peak and the rock formations are beautiful. It is a ride that any level of rider would feel comfortable on and the entire loop is 8 - 10 miles. I am riding Buckwheat and he was a pure delight.

Dome Rock Trail Ride Photos

Goodwin Lake Trail Ride

Location: Sangre de Cristo Mountains
South west of Westcliffe, Colorado from Alvardo Campground trail head
Date: August 2007

Trail Ride Description: Goodwin Lake is a 10 mile round trip ride to the top of the mountains where as you can see from the photos you are at the bottom of a glacial lake. The trail is challenging at times but the scenery makes the ride worth every second. The water is so cold that just washing your hands makes your head ache in about two seconds flat. We have been so blessed here is Southern Colorado this summer with continuous rain that the wild flowers and wild mushrooms are thriving as your would normally see in the spring. Aspen and Ben took the mountain in stride and you don't realize how much you climb until you turn around and your horses ears get very close.

Goodwin Lake Trail Ride Photos

Louis Creek Trail Ride

Location: Wet Mountains - South of Wetmore, Colorado
Date: August 2007

Trail Ride Description: Louis Creek trail is steep and rugged. Horses encounter logs, rocks, switchbacks and a few hikers. The view of Pueblo from the top of the mountain is spectacular and humbling. A great ride to get your horse in shape.

Louis Creek Trail Ride Photos

Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ride

Location: Winding River Resort, Grand Lake, Colorado
Date: First Week in July 2007

Trail Ride Description: Rocky Mountain National Park presents endless trails that loop around so the rider rarely has to back track. The trails are pristine with areas where rocks have been carved into steps wide enough for horses to easily go up and down. The trails in the wet areas are built up on the sides with rocks and filled in with dirt. Riders will encounter moose, elk, grouse, and deer all through out your ride. The scenery is breath taking and there are mountain streams and river crossings all along for watering. It is sad to see that the bark beetles are taking its toll on the forest however as you can see in the photos. The best part of the ride is that everyone including cars yields the trail or road to the horse and rider.

Outstanding accomodations are just outside of the park at Winding River Resort. You can rent cabins, park your LQ, or camp. All with clean accomodations for your horse. The hosts Wes and Marcia House as well as their wranglers are very helpful and friendly. You can access Winding River as follows: www.windingriverresort.com

Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ride

Air Force Academy Trail Ride

Location: Northwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date: Spring 2007

Trail Ride Description: Beautiful 15 mile well maintained trail that circles the Academy and takes you by the Chapel and the golf course. Horse learn to not even look at hikers, runners and mountain bike riders.

Trail Ride Photos

Lower Grape Creek Trail Ride

Location:5 Minutes West of Canon City, Colorado
Date: 2007

Trail Ride Description: Grape Creek is a beautiful ride where you cross the creek about 20 times in an hour ride. Horses learn very quickly to go into the creek that is at times shallow and in other places well up to their bellies. The red rock formations are breath taking and you see blue herrons, mountain sheep and deer. We train our horses here almost every week and never tire of the ride where horses learn very quickly to gait through cactus, around rocks and trees.

Trail Ride Photos