Recreational Activities
Horseback Riding
One of the most pleasurable
ways to see the Stanislaus
National Forest is on horseback.
Approximately 400 miles of trails are suitable for
riding, with several areas
available for base camps.
Regulations regarding group
size and stock handling in
the Wilderness are available at Forest
Service offices
and at trailheads.
Lower elevation riding and camping is
available on the Mi-Wok (lower
Highway 108) and Groveland (Highway 120) Ranger
Districts. Riding and camping areas on Mi-Wok include Thompson Meadow, Bourland Meadow,
Reynolds Creek, Deer Creek, and Camp Clavey. On Groveland, you can ride
and camp at Andersen Valley, and Kibbie Ridge. The area
south of the Cherry Lake Dam is available for camping
with horses.
Higher elevation riding and camping is
available on the Summit (upper Highway
108) and Calaveras (Highway 4 area) Ranger Districts. On Summit, riders camp at the Clark Fork
Horse Campground.
Day rides into the Carson-Iceberg
Wilderness are possible from Clark Fork. On Calaveras, riders camp
at Highland Lakes Campground
and Pacific
Valley Campground. Day rides into the Carson-Iceberg and Mokelumne Wildernesses
are possible.
A Wilderness
Permit is
required for overnight stays in the Carson-Iceberg,
Mokelumne, and Emigrant Wildernesses. These permits are
issued free of charge. Special livestock-use rules will
be attached to your wilderness permit. Be familiar with
wilderness regulations-whether for day or overnight use.
Other areas suitable for traveling and camping with
livestock include Eagle Meadow, Fence Creek, Herring
Creek, and the Emigrant Wilderness. If your riding group
is larger than 20 people, please apply for a special-use
permit for non-wilderness large group use from the Ranger
District office in the area where you plan to travel.
PLAN YOUR
TRIP
Have a good idea of
where you're going before you get there. Know how to read
a map. Plan your exact route. Know what landmarks to look
for, how far you'll ride in one stretch, and schedule
some rest stops. For planning your trip, Forest
Maps can
be purchased at any Forest Office. Topographic maps (showing
elevations and terrain) are available and are especially
helpful in unfamiliar areas.
Think
about your horse's fitness level while planning your
journey. Cinch sores, stone bruises, fatigue and
dehydration can too easily spoil your trip. Valley
animals are accustomed to an occasional lope around an
area should not be exposed to a strenuous workout
climbing steep, rocky slopes without proper pre-conditioning.
That conditioning process could take weeks, depending on
your animal's current physical condition.
Bring plenty of food for
your animals. Depending on grassland is risky and often
results in overgrazed areas, damaging the environment.
Many people pack in hay pellets, cubes, and/or grain.
Your livestock will be happier if you condition them to
this feed before your trip. Please remember to use weed-free
feed to avoid introducing weeds into the mountains.
Making sure your mount
is properly shod will increase the pleasure of your
Forest visit. You may want to consider special horseshoes
if your trip takes you over lots of rocky areas. Insect
repellent and/or fringed eye guards will increase your
mount's comfort, too. You may even want to pack an equine
first-aid kit.
ON THE TRAIL
Start your horse(s)
at a walk to warm up. Travel one-horse-length apart. Warn
riders behind you as you pass possible hazards (broken
glass, cans, narrow trail). Be careful when crossing
swampy areas, potential slide areas, deep snow drifts,
steep, slippery trails, and streams or rivers. Spring and
summer snowmelt makes many Forest river and stream
crossings dangerous for horses; don't over-estimate your
mount's ability. When in doubt, avoid the stream crossing.
Trails are used more now than ever before. Please use
defined trails where possible; cutting switchbacks
damages valuable topsoil. Also be aware of Off-Highway
Vehicles that
may be sharing some of the trails outside of Wilderness.
- Carry a hitch line.
When stopping always tie stock at least 100 feet
from water and to hitch line. Do not tie directly
to trees.
- Try not to drop
even the smallest bit of trash. Remember the
horseman's creed: "When I ride out of the
mountains I'll leave only hoof prints, take only
memories."
- If you encounter a
hiker on a narrow steep trail, ask him to move on
the lower side of the trail, until all riders
have passed.
AT CAMP
Please remember not
to use developed campgrounds if you're camping with
livestock, unless otherwise posted. Animals also should
be kept at least 100 feet from lakes, streams, and
campsites. Picking campsites that can withstand the
impact of horses and people and don't have to be cleared
of vegetation reduces damage. Durable sites, secluded
from trails and other campers, are best. These areas
usually get less use, and the woods offer protection from
sun and wind. Do not tie livestock to trees; tying to
horse trailers or on a "hitch" line between
trees prevents irreparable tree damage. Introducing
animals to hitch lines at home could avert problems at
camp. Hemp or cotton rope is best for hitch or lead ropes.
Plastic rope can cause hide burns and damage tree bark.
Try to maintain a neat camp. Use available fire rings or
consider taking a portable camp stove. It eases the
cooking chore and eliminates the need to build campfires.
Leave no signs of your presence. Pack out trash, even the
smallest bottle tabs. Scatter horse manure and smooth
over areas where animals have been tied.
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