Brandy and Alf led a Black Level Ride that included Betty, Robert, and Juleen, the only ones crazy enough to head out when the low temperature had been twenty-two degrees that morning on Cedar Mesa.
The trailhead at Bridgeport was completely empty with only one car down by the railroad tracks. Apparently most hikers, backpackers, and horseback riders were a bit smarter than these four.
They headed down the trail just before 11am ready-to-ride-time, with a light breeze but warmer than expected. They rode up Big Dominguez for a shade less than seven miles where a spur off the Old Santa Fe Trail intersects with the Big Dominguez trail. Brandy found a great lunch spot for the eight of them to rest before heading back down. Big Dominguez Creek was flowing swiftly from snow melt off the Uncompahgre Plateau.
A few backpackers were encountered in both directions. Betty handed off a treat for one of the backpackers to give to Alf.
Great ride, great horses, just the right temperature for the horses on a difficult and swift moving ride.
