Pilchuck Tree Farm, Arlington

It was a beautiful day for a ride even though the weather was warmer than usual. We joined some friends who are endurance riders to help show us around. The trails had good footing and were well used. There was a nice mix of wooded and open trails that are great for trotting. We found a trail that took us to the Stillaguamish River. My mare was a little unsure and possibly had never seen such a large piece of water. Soon the horses enjoyed some play time and cooled down in the river. There was plenty of room to tie up and relax for a while. Fellow rafters went by and we had a nice chat with them. This location is perfect for horses and we will return.

Les Hilde Trail Head

Les Hilde Trail Head, Sedro Woolley.
This was an excellent day for a ride. Being the first time at this trailhead knowing what trails to take was a bit of a challenge. There were plenty of other riders to talk to and a map on the reader board that was helpful. I later found that I could purchase this map at cowboymaps.com, a great web site. The trails were well ridden and some were marked. I was surprised we did not see more riders out on the trail but it is a large area. Towards the end of our ride we found ourselves in the middle of a small pack of elk. My mare had sensed them even though we could not see them. As soon as they began to move we realized how many there were and how BIG they were! After the excitement we made it back without a hitch. This is a great place to ride and we plan on returning to explore some more trails.