Horseback Riding at Silver Lake - so cool!
- Girls Gone Adventuring
- May 11, 2018
- 3 min read
The first thought to go through my mind as soon as my butt hit the saddle was: "This is where I'm meant to be!!" Horse-back riding to Silver Lake Flats up American Fork Canyon today was an absolutely incredible Adventure! The weather was beautiful - blue skies with light cloud cover to keep the sun from beating down too hot, the mountain was the most vibrant green I've ever seen, wild flowers were just beginning to peek through the ground, and the rivers and streams were running with fresh clear run-off... It was beautiful and serene beyond words. It's been years since I've ridden a horse, and today was the perfect day to get back in the saddle!
Our host for this Adventure was Liz Barrett, who's been riding since she was 12, got her first horse at 14, and started instructing at age 17. She's been teaching my girls horse-back riding for over 3 years and they've loved every minute.
What a beautiful ride she took us on today - thanks Liz! My good friend Rebecca Gridley joined us for this Girls Gone Adventuring Adventure, which was a blast. Rebecca and I have stayed close friends since we met in Jr High - friends like that are rare and sweet, so glad you came Beck!!
There's an equestrian parking lot up past Tibble Fork Reservoir, but the gate to access it was closed so we parked at the Tibble Fork Reservoir parking lot and rode in from there. We got the horses saddled and bridled and were off! I rode Lexi, a beautiful Egyptian Arabian, Rebecca rode Sky, a sweet Dappled Grey, and Liz rode Dakota, a smooth-gaited Fox-trotter. The horses were incredible, Liz does such a great job training her horses, and always treats them with incredible respect and love. They are well behaved, beautiful animals - sure-footed, comfortable to ride, well-mannered, and so much fun!
There's not much that can compare to cantering through the hills, coming over the rise and losing your breath at the incredibly picturesque view in front of you, riding through streams and around lakes, through thick stands of trees beneath the snow-capped Timpanogos Mountain in the distance. Such incredible beauty! There's no noise or engines or crowds of people taking away from the peace and quiet of just you and your horse, exploring this beautiful world together.
Silver Lake was beautiful - the snow-capped mountains made a perfect back drop to the green covered hills all around. We stopped at the lake for a few minutes to let the horses rest and get a drink while we admired the view. Sky was hilarious - he walked into the lake and started splashing in the water like a little toddler enthralled with the splishy-splashy sound he made :) Apparently if he gets hot and dusty enough he'll lay right down in the lake and just roll around to cool off... luckily for Rebecca he was content just splashing around today!
We had some fun trotting and cantering around the lake a bit, then headed back down the mountain. Unfortunately on our way down Lexi stepped on a screw that somehow had been left in the mountains and it stuck into her hoof. We walked her the rest of the way down the mountain, she was a trooper even though I'm sure it was stinging her...
Utah has some of the most beautiful mountain trails and horse-back riding is one of the best ways to explore them! Thanks Liz for this Incredible Adventure, we will definitely be back!
What's your favorite spot to ride horses?
HOW TO DO THIS YOURSELF:
1) We went up American Fork canyon where there are many different trails, many horse-friendly. There are countless places to ride in Utah though, find a beautiful spot close to you and go for it! There's a $6 fee to enter American Fork Canyon if you do head up that way.
2) Liz is one of many professional riding instructors that will take people on trail rides. A google search or talking with people in your area will likely turn up quite a few options!
3) Timing: We left Lehi at about 10:00, were up to Tibble Fork and all saddled up and ready to ride by 11. We rode to Silver Lake and were back to the car at 2:00 and home by 2:30. You could stay longer or shorter, depending on what time you have available that day.
** Is there an Adventure you think we should discover? Comment below
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