Lead Creek

This one's another that's accessed from the Merna area, Horse Creek in the foothills of the Wyoming Range.  It's a nice ride.  Occasional mountain vistas and lovely forests.  The "con" is riding through the mud/pot holes among the cattle.  Boots have been known to be sucked off.  Worth doing once, but I think there are better rides around the same area.  The Loop ride goes "up" Lead Creek, crosses back over the ridge and "down" Spring Creek. (not to be confused with the Spring Creek over by Willow Lake.) Parking is easy at the Horse Creek Snowmobile Parking Lot.  No driving on dirt roads required.  Yay!  This was the site for the 2017 M.E.S.A. "Poker" fundraiser ride.

(click on any photo for enlarged images.)

Total mileage on this track=7.6; Elevation=7,779-8,356'; Ascent/descent=980'; Trail conditions: 50% dirt, 20% slightly rocky (depending on part of the trail taken),  10% quite rocky, a few stream crossings and about 10% mud or hard potholed mud.  Barefoot horses in good condition can handle it no problem. Otherwise boots or shoes recommended. The Red Arrow shows location of an optional waterfall sighting.  Pink Arrow shows the turn off to see the waterfall.  Yellow Arrow shows a watering place on Horse Creek.  The last half mile parallels the dirt road.

  Horse Creek Snowmobile Parking area room for plenty of rigs.

Just starting out, a gate to be traversed.

This was part of the optional route to the waterfall.  We found out later that this part of the rocky road could be avoided by taking a different route.

Another gate near the end of the ride.