Multi-Use Trails and Magic
If you receive an opportunity to connect with others in a meaningful way, take it! Here’s one example of how an amazing afternoon unfolded. Three equestrians decided to take a ride to a hilltop occupied by a gaggle of paraglider pilots. It was a nice Winter day, partly sunny, a little breezy, perfect for a flight or a ride. Preface: please, don’t try the following at home! The people involved are quite literally trained professionals. No animals were injured, physically or emotionally, and quite a few people got to bear witness to a bit of what can be accomplished with a bit of skill, decent weather conditions, and open minds. The rider and an endurance racing Arabian horse, who is well trained using a specific horsemanship method which consist of a western foundation, meet a paragliding instructor. All three showed up with curiosity, willingness, and patience. The result… magic. Pictures will tell the story far better than I ever could.
[metaslider id=1359]
Public parks and trails are fantastic, and often free, places to enjoy enriching outdoor experiences. Trailgoers, often with varying interests, become immersed in the these peaceful surroundings. Many of our trail systems are multi-use, meaning they are open to use by people for a wide array of sports and recreation purposes. Cronan Ranch Regional Trails Park, in Pilot Hill, CA, is one of many of these public parks that are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This 1,400 acre park is shared by hikers, bikers, equestrians, hunters, anglers, white water paddlers, gold panners, bird watchers, amateur astronomers, daydreamers, paragliders, and wide array of flora and fauna. You will find people walking dogs, goats, alpacas, mules, and more. With no motorized equipment of any sort allowed beyond the parking area, it’s often a fairly quiet experience. The park’s terrain lends itself to nearly-magical acoustics. On the menu for sounds is the South Fork of the American River, heels and hooves on well groomed trails, bike tires whirring, hawks screeching, paraglider lines humming, and folks often lost in conversation.
Multi-use means additional mindfulness is required. While it’s exhilarating to bomb down a trail, there is a chance of a meeting around obscured corners that can end in an unpleasant encounters. Avoid detrimental impact to others. Respect the Golden Rule. Reach out and be the ambassador of your favorite sport. Allow others to see what it is that you find endearing in your activities. Find out what other people love about their activities. There’s a need for understanding rights-of-way and basic courtesy, most of which is common sense. If ever unsure, slow down, ask questions, and be prepared to step aside early should the need arise. In particular, trail users really do need to be extremely mindful around equestrian activities. While all animals, even the human kind, brought to the park must be reasonably trained for the nature of a multi-use site, even the most well trained animal can become spooked, creating the potential for a very dangerous and avoidable situation. Even a hiker with a backpack may look different enough to cause concern, let alone a brightly colored pterodactyl-looking beast descending on large animal posed with a flight instinct. Keep encounters 100% based on what the horse and rider feel comfortable with and don’t fly, land, kite, in their vicinity unless specifically invited. Don’t fly around blind corners, just because you know the layout of the park, and don’t ground handle or pack up on or close to the trail without hundreds of feet worth of visibility. You will gain the respect of the vast majority of the equestrian community, as well as park users and administrators. Consider use of these nature preserves as a privilege, not an entitlement.
I would like to thank the equestrians, my new favorite horse, and the paragliding folks that helped make 12/30/18 a very special day for me.