A Scenic Climb up to Inverness Ridge by Horseback

Out towards the ocean in West Marin's stunning Point Reyes National Seashore, hundreds of miles of tranquil riding and hiking trails have been woven into a hillside forest land beyond compare.

It had been way too long since I've sat in a saddle and ridden, Western-Style, for a couple of hours far away from the everyday activities and errands that keep me so long at my desk.

My riding companion Dom, pictured here on our descent from an hour's climb up to Inverness Ridge from Olema's Five Brooks Ranch, was pleased to reach the meadow portion of our excursion by horseback, having had an extreme vantage point of peering over the 1300 foot ridge and across over Olema Valley through Baywood groves. 

His horse, Dusty, held back from the pack train heading up hill, insistent on following a familiar line in the trail - one closest (but not too close) to the edge.   

From Birch and Alder forest to moss covered, towering Douglas Firs, we passed by families of deer and later, quite by surprise, a bobcat who confidently held court at the side of the trail.

A seemingly newly infatuated couple (who talked a lot and loudly about Facebook, leading me to the conclusion that's where the horseback date had been arranged) caused some considerable drama during the two hour ride, due in large part to the diamond-studded, T-shirt clad, first-time rider's unrestrained shrieking and hollaring and heckling of her would-be mate. At the turning point to head back down the ridge, she lost control of her horse, who in turn, had a disagreement with the boyfriend's horse and the pair veered perilously close to the canopied edge of the ravine.

She screamed and threw herself off in a rolling ball of panic, landing fortuituously for all in a soft, grassy, foot-wide ledge at the very edge of the trail. Luckily for her she shook herself off, considered her options and hopped right back on. Do you think she was quiet on the way down? Absolutely not. Her brush with the edge failed to take any wind out of her sails as she focused on where to pursue the nearest liquid lunch, all the way down trail, point blank refusing to make another turn to detour the bobcat!

Facebook couple aside, I'd definitely give Five Brooks Ranch another shot for several additional trails.

 

Comments

[frances mum]

remember mouse? not a good name for a lively younger sisters horse

[Frank Simpson]

No pixs of you as Annie Frances Oakley on your steed???

Tsk,Tsk!

[Frances]

I tried to get clever and use the reverse photo option on my iphone to snap a shot of myself, but thought I might drop the phone - not a good idea! Next time I'll get some better footage, Frank!

[Frances]

Mouse was a mighty steed indeed, despite the name!

[Lori George]

I guess labor day was a day for horse riding. Marcella and I had a long ride ( not as exciting as yours) The story gave us a chuckle. love you guys and miss you xo Lori and Marcella