Texas man invents 1.5K-mile adventure trail for hikers, bikers and horseback riders

FoxNews.com - Full Story

Texas native sees trail to be a legacy similar to Appalachian Trail

By Gretchen Eichenberg Fox News
Published October 16, 2024

For hikers and bikers who’ve conquered the Triple Crown — the Pacific Crest, Appalachian and Continental Divide trails — there’s a new adventure route in town.

It spans the entire Lone Star State, and it’s going to be traversable by spring.

"This is a route that is rugged, remote, rural and therefore, romantic," Charlie Gandy, a retired community design consultant and former state representative, told Fox News Digital.

Gandy announced plans last month for the Cross Texas Trail or "XTX" — a 1,500-mile trail for hikers, bikers and, because it’s Texas, horseback riders...

Read the rest here:
https://www.foxnews.com/travel/texas-man-invents-1-5k-mile-adventure-trail-hikers-bikers-horseback-riders

California: Horseback riders concerned over mountain bikers getting access to Mount Tam trails

CBSNews.com - Full Story and video

By Kenny Choi
September 19, 2024 / 7:10 PM PDT / CBS San Francisco

The long-standing conflict over trails in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed between horseback riders and mountain bikers seems to be approaching a turning point.

Bikers in Marin County will soon have more access to trails once open only to hikers and equestrians. That's not sitting well with horse enthusiasts who claim it's a "dangerous" change.

For decades Linda Novy has cherished trail riding with her horse, Falco. Soon, the seven miles of trails in the Mount Tamalpais Watershed, which have traditionally been limited to equestrians and hikers, will also welcome mountain bikers.

"The proposed ten pilot trails are not ideal for sharing," said Novy.

Novy is president of the Marin Horse Council and she's disappointed by the Marin Municipal Water District's decision.

"The way the trails are currently built, they're narrow and have steep drop-offs. They work for equestrians and hikers," said Novy.

But mountain bikers, including Dan Freeman, believe opening trails can be safely done...

See more here:
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/marin-county-mount-tamalpais-trails-horseback-riders-mountain-bikers-access/

California: A long-standing trail use conflict erupts along the Salinas Riverbed in Atascadero

NewTimesSLO.com - Full Article

By Camillia Lanham
July 18 2024

Knobby tire tracks crisscross through soft sand. Intermingled with foot, paw, and hoof prints, they occasionally overlook the late spring remnants of the Salinas River as it runs through Atascadero.

Some of those hoof prints were left by Kathryn McGinnis’ “big bay ranch horse,” which she takes to the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail on Saturdays and Sundays. She’s ridden her horse on the riverbed trail for 10 years.

“He’s just a good guy,” she said of the quarter horse she’s had since he was 7 years old and “a little one-sided.” “He takes good care of me.”

When he gets spooked, he doesn’t buck, McGinnis said, but he does react to the dirt bikes that ride the same trails in the riverbed and its riparian corridor. Sometimes, he starts to spin—which is just as dangerous for the rider.

“If they were to come out of the bushes or come around the corner, oh my God. … It’s only because I’m more afraid to come off than I am to stay on that I’ve stayed on,” she said. “It’s a 1,200-pound animal and when they get scared, you’ve got your life in your hands. … And a motorcycle, you can turn that off in an instant. You can’t do that with a horse.”

Trail etiquette, McGinnis and other horseback riders said, is super important for multi-use trails. Horses have the right of way over hikers, bikers, and “especially over motorized vehicles,” she said. Those unspoken rules call for motorcycle riders to pull off to the side of the trail and kill their vehicles, but that doesn’t always happen...

Read more here:
https://www.newtimesslo.com/special-issues/a-long-standing-trail-use-conflict-erupts-along-the-salinas-riverbed-in-atascadero-15559023

Canada: P.E.I. horse riders' group hopes to use more of Confederation Trail

CBC.ca - Full Article

Some cyclists have lingering concerns about damage caused by equestrians

Laura Meader · CBC News · Posted: Jul 03, 2024

Horses are back on designated sections of the Confederation Trail, and riders are hoping they'll eventually have access to even more of the Prince Edward Island-wide system.

Dr. Sylvia Hall Andrews is a veterinarian and an avid trail rider who spends summers in the province, and is also the secretary of P.E.I. Trail Riders.

She said trail riding with horses is an accepted activity in other parts of Canada, so it makes sense to expand the options for it here on the Island.

"We would like to see an expansion of trail access over time.... The government is well aware our goal is to slowly increase the accessibility," said Hall Andrews.

"We feel that horses are safe on the trail, belong on the trail..."

Read more here:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-horses-confederation-trail-access-tourism-1.7252022

Oregon: Ochoco National Forest seeks public comment on plans for improved equestrian trails in Corral Flat area NE of Prineville

KTVZ.com - Full Article

By Barney Lerten
March 14, 2024

Forest also seeks to re-establish road closures, reduce off-road vehicle impacts

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Ochoco National Forest has opened a 30-day public comment period on a draft environmental assessment to formalize an unofficial 51-mile equestrian trail system and conduct restoration of areas damaged by off-road vehicles.

The Corral Flat Endurance Trails project is located on the Lookout Mountain and Paulina ranger districts, about 25 miles northeast of Prineville.

The project’s goal is to provide “designated trail systems for equestrian users, with loops of varying miles and terrain,” the plan states. “These new miles would help distribute equestrian users throughout the National Forest and improve visitor experience.”

The plan’s introduction notes that the current, unofficial trails are almost entirely on Forest Service system roads and non-system two-track roads. A small portion are on existing single-track equestrian trails and have been in use for decades by horseback riders,” both by individuals and organized group rides...

Read more here:
https://ktvz.com/news/outdoors/2024/03/14/ochoco-national-forest-seeks-public-comment-on-plans-for-improved-equestrian-trails-in-corral-flat-area-ne-of-prineville/

Historic Los Padres Trail Riders Club disbands due to low membership

By: Juliet Lemar
Posted at 5:36 PM, Feb 23, 2024

The Los Padres Trail Riders are a non-profit equestrian club with roots dating back to the 1940s.

"1944 and they started as a horse-riding group that would patrol the coastline. The only way you could get to the coast, because there were no roads, was on horseback," said longtime member Debra Prekker.

At its peak in the 1980s, the club had nearly 400 members, according to Prekker, who says these riding groups help maintain and repair trails.

"We have fixed trails in the past and worked with the Forest Service to fix trails," Prekker said...

Read more and see video here:
https://www.ksby.com/santa-barbara-south-coast/historic-los-padres-trail-riders-club-disbands-due-to-low-membership

Help Preserve Equestrian Access to Big Basin State Park Trails

Change.org

Started February 13, 2024

Why this petition matters

Started by Jennifer Stalley

The San Francisco Bay Area, renowned as an equestrian paradise, is facing a significant threat. Big Basin State Park's reopening plan currently excludes provisions for equestrian parking, jeopardizing our ability to access the unparalleled beauty of the redwood trails. This issue is not isolated to our local community in the Santa Cruz mountains; it reflects a broader trend of encroachment and development that threatens equestrian trail access nationwide.

• The world-famous Tom Quilty Cup in Australia recently lost its historic trail routes to development.
• The renowned Tevis Cup is under extreme pressure to keep its historic trail accessible.
• Just 30 years ago, a horse and rider could ride through Big Basin on a 100 mile loop in 1 day. These days will be gone forever!

The American Horse Council estimates that there are approximately 7.2 million horses in the United States and millions of riders who enjoy this pastime. Yet despite these numbers, we are witnessing a systematic reduction in trail accessibility for horseback riders.

The loss of safe equestrian parking facilities at Big Basin State Park would not only affect local and visiting equestrians, but also have wider implications on tourism revenue and the preservation of our cultural heritage. We urge park management to reconsider their reopening plan and include provisions for safe equestrian parking.

Join us in preserving access to these unique trails by signing this petition today. Let's ensure future generations can experience the unmatched joy of riding through Big Basin redwoods.

See more at:
https://www.change.org/p/preserve-equestrian-access-to-big-basin-state-park-trails?recruiter=483692358&recruited_by_id=57b7bf80-ccf2-11e5-ab61-d364535171a4

First-Ever Outdoor Recreation Specific Bill Passes House Committee

HorseCouncil.org

January 19, 2024/in Press Release/by Ashley Harkins

The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act passed the House Natural Resources Committee on January 17 by unanimous consent.

The EXPLORE Act is historically significant as it is the first-ever outdoor recreation specific bill package and does not cost taxpayer dollars. The bipartisan legislation will boost local and national economies, give more Americans—especially those in underserved areas—greater access to green spaces and public lands and waters, while also modernizing policies and procedures to support the recreation businesses that connect people to outdoor experiences. The EXPLORE Act is a companion to a similar package passed in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last year, America’s Outdoor Recreation Act (AORA).

This passing of this act underscores the momentum the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR), along with the American Horse Council (AHC) and other industry partners have built over the past few years to advance bipartisan policies that improve access and transform outdoor recreation opportunities. The outdoor recreation industry, which in 2022 was valued at $1 trillion by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis, was instrumental in passing the Great American Outdoors Act in 2022, which was one of the greatest public lands and waters packages to become law in the history of our nation.

“The AHC supports the EXPLORE Act because it protects access for horses and packers on public lands,” says Julie Broadway, President of the American Horse Council. “Maintaining and expanding trail access on public lands ensures the next generation of horseback riders can explore and recreate safely alongside other users. The inclusion of language to identify and adopt policies to promote conflict avoidance on multiple use trails is extremely important for the welfare of all users, and especially those who are riding or packing. AHC also commends the inclusion of the MVP Act (Military and Veterans in Parks Act) which holds the potential to expand access for Veterans and Active-Duty military as there are proven therapeutic benefits associated with outdoor recreation and Equine assisted service/therapy.”

The AHC applauds the hard work of industry leaders and the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.

“(This) marks a major advancement for the future of outdoor recreation in the United States,” says Jessica Wahl Turner, the ORR president. “With the House Natural Resources Committee’s markup of the EXPLORE Act, we are moving closer to enacting legislation that will revitalize our approach to recreation management and access. This bipartisan effort, led by Chairman Bruce Westerman and Ranking Member Raul Grijalva, is a testament to the ongoing dedication to not only preserving, but also enhancing the outdoor experiences available to every American. The EXPLORE Act brings modern solutions to the forefront, ensuring that our green spaces and outdoor places are more accessible and enjoyable for all. It’s a forward-thinking move that aligns with the ever-growing enthusiasm for outdoor activities and addresses the need for our policies to reflect current and future outdoor engagement.”

ORR and its members celebrate this milestone and urge swift passage of the EXPLORE Act through the full House and Senate, for the benefit of our public lands, waters, and the communities that thrive because of them.

The EXPLORE Act would:

· Enable permit streamlining to ease burdens on outfitters and guides and improve access to outdoor experiences;

· Improve access to recreation on public lands and waters;

· Ensure access to green spaces in underserved communities;

· Develop, improve, and complete long range trails; and

· Invest in rural economic development.

For more information on the bill and its progress through the House, visit https://recreationroundtable.org/priorities/recreation-package/.

For more information about the American Horse Council, visit: https://www.horsecouncil.org

Wisconsin: DNR nixes equestrian trails, approves new lot for Newport State Park

DoorCountyDailyNews.com - Full Article

January 14 2024
by Tim Kowols

You and your horse will not have more room to ride at Newport State Park after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources denied a variance on Friday.

The proposed variance would have allowed the DNR to increase the mileage of authorized equestrian trails from 4-6 miles to up to 10 miles. It would also extend the trails into Newport State Park’s Management Area 2 and co-locate them where hiking and biking trails currently exist.

The reaction from the over 100 responses received by the DNR was mixed, with some saying there needs to be more horseback riding opportunities in northern Door County, especially since the network of equestrian trails using private land has deteriorated recently. There was concern about how many people could take advantage of the opportunity based on the location and the number of horses in the county. Safety of interactions, spread of invasive species, erosion, and crowding were other concerns during the public comment period...

Read more here:
https://doorcountydailynews.com/news/724114