Copper State Trail Riders
Hart Prairie Report
Memorial Weekend
O
By Jodie Franklin
ur destination for a long weekend
of riding was an area called Hart
Prairie the lies underneath the
Snow Bowl. This ride was so over the top
it is going to be a hard act to follow. We
camped below the majestic snow capped
Humphrey’s Peak, and rode in the aspens
covered in their bright green spring
leaves. Life just doesn’t get any better
than that.
Friday was a perfect riding day, cool
enough for the horses to feel fresh and
sunshine that flirted with big fluffy white
clouds. The Nordic Center is close to our
camp so we rode cross country to hook
into their trail system. Like a maze in the
woods these well maintained trials are
fun to ride. What is even better is there
is no way you can get lost because at
every trail junction a map of the system
is posted with a “you are here” on it! If
you are a trail leader you gotta love it! We
rode over to the Nordic Lodge to check it
out; it’s open all the time. From there we took the longest
loop trail passing yurts along the way. Each yurt has a
picnic table and gas grill, why didn’t we pack hot dogs!
For lunch we stopped at a yurt and enjoyed what it had
to offer. Wouldn’t it be great if these yurts were along the
AZ trail so you could pack and stay in them? Hummm….
We completed our loop and went cross country to camp
returning in time for Friday happy hour.
The promised cold front arrived with Saturday morning,
time to layer up the clothes. As we were getting ready to
ride out snow flakes started to come down! They didn’t
stick except up on Humphrey’s Peak when they landed
and it was much better than rain. It made for beautiful
pictures but still this is the third time in a row that I have
camped and its snowed! At this rate I’m going to get
snow shoes for my horse! We started out to do the Alpine
loop that was planned for that day which takes us up on
the AZ trail along the side of the mountain, the one that
was getting the snow. Part way there it was decided that
maybe we should go a different way. Perfect choice; we
turned around and did the Bismarck loop instead.
These aren’t actual loops on a map; they are a
combination of cross country (which is easy to ride
here), wild cat single track trails, old forest roads, the AZ
trail and other national forest trails. Putting all of these
together creates some of the most beautiful diversified
riding I’ve ever done in this area.
Our morning ride took us through woods, groves of
aspens and beautiful meadows with the view of snow
covered Humphrey’s as a backdrop. As we rode along
the snow stopped and the clouds parted. Crossing one
AZintheSaddle.com
with their gleaming white trunks and
bright spring leaves. There is something
so magical about these trees that it fills
your soul with serenity and peace.
We took the Aspen Loop side trip (how
could we not!) that brought us out
where the lifts are. Then back to the AZ
trail we rode to Aspen Corner (again
how could we not!). We rode up a wild
cat trail there until we found the most
perfect spot for lunch. The day was so
perfect every turn in the trail just kept
getting better.
meadow we came upon a rustic cabin in a grove of
aspens. We all stopped to admire the perfect setting and
of course take pictures. I could easily picture myself in a
rocking chair on that porch gazing at Humphrey’s Peak
for the rest of my days, it was that perfect.
Our lunch spot was close to the Bismarck Lake TH in an
aspen grove with fresh spring grass for the horses and
logs for us to sit on. As we ventured on down the trail we
stopped at a tank and Bismarck Lake both for the horses to
get a drink. Strange that only two weeks ago there was lots
of water in both and now they were almost dry. The second
half of our ride had us on the AZ trail, a gentle rise to 9000’
with views to die for. This section of the AZ trail has to be
one of the best to ride. We rode the trail as far as we could
before having to leave it for some cross country down hill
riding as we closed the loop back to camp.
Potluck Saturday evening was an all American fare
with grilled hamburgers, hotdogs and sausages with all
the sides. Eating is the next best thing we do! Then we
gathered around the propane fire ring to talk about the
day’s adventures and what did the next day’s trail have in
store for us.
The God’s were with us and Sunday dawned beautiful
and full of promise. We took off to ride the Alpine loop,
which is the opposite of the day before and we climbed
up to the AZ trail. This is a cross country climb that
goes from 8200 to 9000 in a very short distance. The
weekends riding was planned so the horses only had to
make this climb one time. Once on the AZ trail it was
eye candy time again with views of mountains rolling
off in the distance in shades of blue like waves in the
ocean. We passed through grove upon grove of aspens
After lunch we rode back to the AZ trail
and down to the Alfa Fia tank, which
was full of water and home to a family of
ducks. From there we leave the AZ trail
for a combination of cross country and
forest roads. There is a beautiful single
track wild cat trail that takes you on a
wandering journey through the woods.
This area has lots of old forest roads and
trails that beckon you to go see what is around the corner.
Because of fencing it is best to mark all the gates on your
GPS. Once again we found ourselves wandering through
hidden groves of aspens on the second half of our loop.
We returned to camp from the opposite direction that we
had headed out in making for another amazing loop.
We did a rerun of the night before and after happy hour
we fired up the grill. Then relaxing around the fire ring
and talking about the riding. There is no better lifestyle
than this.
Monday morning Cathy served us a fantastic breakfast
before we saddled up again. This time there was no
planned trail to ride just exploring in the woods. This can
be the best kind of riding, Daniel Boone style. We took a
single track that went to Crater Lake, which is on private
property, hoping it would circle the hill. Nope the second
half of that hill got real interesting,