Friday, October 27, 2017

A Guide To Trail Riding Hoosier National Forest

By Gregory Russell


Spending time doing an outdoor activity is always a great way to unwind. For many people, going for an afternoon swim at the beach would make for a perfect day. If you want to get up close and personal with nature, however, try trail riding Hoosier National Forest.

The entirety of the forest is known to traverse nine counties in Indiana. Bedford serves as the headquarters for most of its administrative staff. Tell City hosts a satellite office. It covers a whooping 200000 acres in size. Many associate it with the many scenic trails that thousands of riders visit it to traverse.

The most comfortable method of exploring its trails is on horseback. A slow casual daylong ride will undoubtedly give you some renewed respect for nature. The views to be seen are among the most stunning in America.

Before you get going on your trip, you must know about the ground rules for visitors. For starters, it is important to note that no horses or stables are available within the forest. All riders are required to have their own horses or look for stables located nearby, although finding one may be hard.

When compounded, the trail length adds up to 266 miles. You may find other riders, bikers and hikers traversing the trails on an ordinary day. There are a number of campgrounds within it too. They are mostly situated adjacent to the large lakes that make up the ecosystem. The available horse camps are 5 in number.

The inroads in the woods are filled with wildlife. It is therefore important to remain alert at all times when on site. If your horse gets spooked and the incident catches you off guard, you may sustain an injury. Some of the common animals you are most likely to encounter include foxes, white tailed deer, gray squirrel, opossum and woodchuck.

Certain sections of the woods, particularly those adjacent to ridges, are good to spot birds from. Most riders go with their cameras to film rarely spotted species. Birds you should not fail to spot include turkey, waterfowls, the pileated woodpecker and migrant songbirds. Some bat species and rare birds also call the hidden caves home.

Safety should be your primary concern when in the area. For starters, ensure you pack your vehicle away from the road once you arrive. Remember that most of the roads in the woods are narrow and have sharp bends. It would be dangerous and unfair for other users to block the road.

Be extra cautious when riding during windy days. Trees and branches tend to fall a lot during such periods. The authorities regularly perform cleanup exercises but certain areas may be inadvertently overlooked. Also exercise caution as you ride when hunting season begins. Hunters may have difficulty differentiating you from prey if you do not wear reflective clothing.

Hikers and bikers are also required to give the right of way to horse riders. Nevertheless, indicate that you are approaching early. Do not pull off any surprises on others.




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