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Karalot Stables's Reviews

Uwharrie National Forest - Canebrake Horsecamp, near Troy, NC

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This was our first visit to Canebrake as we typically go north to ride in the Virginia mountains. First the bad; the campground was terrible in comparison to other campgrounds in the National Park Service we have used. The grass was knee high, the bathrooms we used were nasty - not only dirty but overtaken with spiders and other bugs, and the generators! By generators, I'm not talking about the quiet Yamaha and Honda generators but these monster power makers that can be heard across the entire camp. It seemed no one was aware of the 10 PM - 6 AM "quiet time". Certainly having showers and a horse wash station were a big plus. The trails were good and we were glad the host had left some maps in the mailbox. We missed some turns but all in all we had a good ride over the 20 miles or so we rode.
Reviewed by Karalot Stables on 9/15/2008 1:36:32 AM Experience: Expert Ride Date: 9/13/2008 Hometown: Pilot Mountain, NC
Hussy Mountain Horsecamp, near Speedwell, va

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Starting this year (2012) the park staff is checking for certificates of negative coggins. There are three possibilities if you do not have proof with you; 1-a verbal warning. 2-a ticket. 3-expulsion of your livestock from the campground. Be nice to the rangers if you don't have proof. Latest scheme to run generators at night is claiming a medical need such as "sleep apnea" and need to power a CPAP machine. This is not allowed. No generators after 10 PM regardless of the reason.
Reviewed by Karalot Stables on 6/1/2012 2:37:32 PM Experience: Expert Ride Date: 6/1/2012 Hometown: Pilot Mtn., NC

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Have camped here 6 times in 2008. Most arrivals are early Friday afternoon. There have been from 10 trailers to 45 trailers in a weekend camped there. $7.00/night in paid camping area. Potable water (2 spigots) and bathrooms (3). No power and lots of creek water. Fire rings and two tie posts per spot. Tie posts are 20' apart. Metal trash cans with heavy lids. CC Camp Road is gravel and maintained. Rangers come through nightly and are very sociable. One bear likes to frequent but keeps his distance. Some trails (Horse Heaven) are perfect for a group or beginner rider/horse. Other trails (Henley Hollow/Little Dry Run) are difficult and requires a expert horse and rider.
Reviewed by Karalot Stables on 8/6/2008 3:46:06 AM Experience: Expert Ride Date: 8/2/2008 Hometown: Pilot Mountain, NC
Jefferson National Forest,, Collins Cove, near Cripple Creek, VA

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This was out first visit to Collins Cove wanting to ride the eastern part of the VHHT. Coming prepared with a map with went through Raven's Cliff Campground, crossing Cripple Creek. We also rode the 2 mile connector trail to the VHHT and headed west covering about 30 miles on this weekend. Lots of unmarked trails but the locals were very helpful. Numerous caves close by for the spelunkers. Only 4 sites (three groups) were there this weekend. Two more long rides were planned and not ridden so we will be returning (bringing more potable water). Two nice trails to the east, the VHHT to the trail head, and the connector trail to the New River Trail.
Reviewed by Karalot Stables on 8/11/2008 4:21:29 AM Experience: Expert Ride Date: 8/8/2008 Hometown: Pilot Mountain, NC

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Weekend of August 8-10, 2008 Interesting ride Friday, after leaving Collins Cove on the Williams Family trail (the two mile connector from the back of Collins Cove to the VHHT) we started toward the New River Park Trail, on the VHHT. The VHHT to US 94 is about three miles, beginner to moderate riding. Crossing US 94 and continuing east, it’s a four-mile one-way to NRPT. Moderate to expert rider and horses needed. No water from Collins Cove to about a mile from the NRPT (seven miles). After crossing US 94 we ran across a homeowner that was not very “horse friendly”. He claimed that he had two dogs shot by horse riders and another dog beaten. Then, as his rant continued, he said that he had a rider come down his driveway and use the side of his house for bathroom privileges. Summarizing the ride from Collins cove to the NRPT, and back, about 20 miles; no water till you get close to the New River. Saturday’s ride through Ravens Cliff, we crossed the creek twice, and took the right at the top of the hill. Passing through the hole in the fence and entering the blackberry field, we took a left at the fork. This took us to Rock Creek. We followed Rock Creek and rode along a fence line next to a big meadow (1000 acres meadow?). Came to a fork and the right fork takes you to Iron Mountain Horse Camp. We again stayed to the left, coming to a four-way intersection. Taking a left would be an additional 5 (?) miles back to Collins Cove. Taking a right will take you to the VHHT. We rode straight and it was an easy mile to the security gate at the Collins Cove housing development. Turn right and it’s a gravel road back to camp (about two miles). About a mile and a half down the gravel road, the stream is on the left and crosses the road to the right. This is a good place to water the horses. There is a good pool of water on the right. Turning right at this spot will take you to the caves. First cave is on the left. Second cave can be missed; you need to turn right at the fork to see it. Retracing your steps from the second cave, turn back right at the fork and you will end up on the Williams Family trail, about ½ mile from Collins Cove. Enjoy the ride.
Reviewed by Karalot Stables on 8/25/2008 5:12:48 AM Experience: Not Specified Ride Date: 1/1/2004 Hometown: Pilot Mountain, NC