[NEWT]

Looking at the website for Leatherwood it looks like there are rentals and homes for sale. Does anyone know if there are campsites with pens for horses? Links? Thank you!

[Snork]

Not sure about campsites but they do rent cabins that have either barn space or turnout with shelter: http://www.leatherwoodmountains.com/...sefriendly.htm

[drmgncolor]

http://www.leatherwoodmountains.com/...campground.htm

They have a campground and I would expect you can bring your horses even if you camp and don't rent a house.

DH and I looked at Leatherwood when we were planning our wedding. I found them to be really nice and helpful folks.

[baysandgrays]

I ride there a lot. There are campsites but horses are not in the campsites. The nicest camping sites are across from the main barn, where the horse stalls are rented. They do have a few paddocks for rent near the trail riding barn, as well. There is another campsite nearby, which isn't as pretty, but the stalls (these are all open air stalls) are right next to the camping sites. Some of the houses have accomodations for horses--but they are pricey! Overall, Leatherwood is a fantastic place to ride/camp. I think you will enjoy it if you come. The staff is fantastic and most of the trails are really nice.

[Chardavej]

We camp there frequently. They don't have the horse rental there anymore (at least not last year, could have started back up) so that barn and area you can use for camping. The issue we had over there is there is only one power box and you have to run drop lines to your camper and it tends to pop breakers. It's also first come first serve at both camp areas. The larger and nicer camp area you have to stall your horses across the road at the barn. But it is a nice barn, the bathroom is there and the road only sees a few cars an hour.

There is also no dump station, and sometimes the boxes can't handle 30 amp service.

Also your horse needs to be in shape, there are some rough, steep up up up trails, and trails when you go down that the horses are literally sliding on their butts.

We have a route we have picked out that is about a 3 hour ride (gaited horse speed, 4 hour for QH) that is pretty easy. Still a lot of up up up but not as rough and rocky.


Here are some pics:

Covered arena
http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...urrent=151.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3045.jpg


Barn on other side of road (on left in pic) has inside stalls and outside open stalls

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3044.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...herwood034.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...camping026.jpg


The campground (first come first serve, ones on right side are better and on creek)

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3043.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...herwood039.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...herwood028.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...camping017.jpg

The 'horse rental' (you can camp with your horses)

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3041.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3036.jpg

Beautiful views!

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3052.jpg


Some of the trails/roads you ride on (these are the nice trails, we don't take the challenging ones anymore)

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3069.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3065.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3063.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...t=DSCN3062.jpg

http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...herwood031.jpg


Man! Looking at these pics makes me ready for Spring and CAMPING!

.

[NEWT]

Thanks Snork! We may want to tent camp but a cabin would be so much more civilized and less hassle!

[NEWT]

Thank you drmgncolor! I do hear very nice things about the hospitality there.

[NEWT]

Thanks baysandgrays, I'm really getting excited to plan this trip. I'm in Maine so I'm really looking forward to warm weather and new exciting places to ride!

[NEWT]

Oh you did it now Chardavej! I'm really thinking I have to go there this spring! Those photos are wonderful and you all look to be having a marvelous time.

I heard that some of the trails are super steep as you mentioned. I might have to work up to the challenging trails slowly, LOL. So its a three hour ride for a gaited horse and a four hour ride for a QH, I wonder what it will be for my arabians? But if its so steep maybe it would be mule territory instead!

Thanks for taking the time for all those photos... much appreciated!

[wildlifer]

It is very very very very rocky. Great trails, but most are moderate to difficult (and by that I am serious - picking your way through boulders up a cliff type) although there are a couple easy loops. It is lovely up there and there is plenty of lodging for you and horses.

As a stream biologist, it pains me that the trailer camping area is right on the river and the forested buffer is gone (VERY damaging for stream) but I can't change that. I will tell you just as an FYI, that stream is 303(d) listed for high fecal coliform levels (ahhh buffer, it needs you) so please remember that clear does not equal clean. When we work in it, we will wade, but will not put face in the water so should you choose to swim, be careful.

[baysandgrays]

Newt, feel free to PM me before you come this way. I'd be happy to map out some good 2-3 hour rides for you. I am not an 'extreme' trail rider and I stick to the easier stuff there. When you look at the trail map, stick to the left side. The trails on the right are pretty rough. But there are lots of great places to ride...and you can always take a quick jaunt up to Blowing Rock and ride at the Moses Cone estate...which is another lovely ride and it consists of groomed carriage trails.

Wildlifer, yes, there are some really rocky trails and some that I *never* go on...but there are also some really lovely trails to ride! I didn't know that about the stream...yikes! I will definitely keep that in mind.

[Chardavej]

Here is a link to their trail map:

http://www.leatherwoodmountains.com/2007_trail_map.pdf

Hard to tell from the map but I believe we usually go to Key's cabin, then appletree, Jingle, rt on hollytree, left on Daniel Boone, Wagonridge road, rt on Johnnycake, rt on Cowboy, rt on Rawhide, left on Hogback to Golddigger back to Rawhide, right on Rainbow rt on Sundance then left back onto Rainbow, left on Wagonridge and then right on Decision back to Keys Cabin. Some of the turns look like the name changes, but it might not from the map.

Can't wait for Spring! Good to know about that creek, ick! I've swam in that!!

[baysandgrays]

My favorite loop there is to head out to Key's Cabin, then get onto Rhodo Gap, then Tricky Creek, then Daniel's Pass, then Daniel Boone (where we head up to the picnic area, stop for a bit, and then turn back around the way we came), then to Big Pine, to Jingle (the absolute flattest way down on the whole mountain), then Apple Tree, then you're back at the main road. This is a beautiful ride with only a few steep spots and very good footing. There are a few rocky areas on the way down on Jingle, but not bad and you can avoid them. That's my favorite ride.

I'd love to meet other COTH'ers for a ride sometime. Send me a PM! :-)

[Chardavej]

My favorite loop there is to head out to Key's Cabin, then get onto Rhodo Gap, then Tricky Creek, then Daniel's Pass, then Daniel Boone (where we head up to the picnic area, stop for a bit, and then turn back around the way we came), then to Big Pine, to Jingle (the absolute flattest way down on the whole mountain), then Apple Tree, then you're back at the main road. This is a beautiful ride with only a few steep spots and very good footing. There are a few rocky areas on the way down on Jingle, but not bad and you can avoid them. That's my favorite ride.

I'd love to meet other COTH'ers for a ride sometime. Send me a PM! :-)

I haven't been that way! Would love to try it, how long is the ride? What kind of horse do you ride? I'm all for a less steep ride back!

[baysandgrays]

I haven't been that way! Would love to try it, how long is the ride? What kind of horse do you ride? I'm all for a less steep ride back!

It's about 2.5 hours.

It doesn't take me long to get there so I don't feel compelled to take 5+ hour rides. :-) This ride is gorgeous in the springtime when the rhodo's are in bloom. I've recently acquired a new horse...he's an appendix. He doesn't have a lot of trail experience so I will be starting him out on some super easy stuff before heading there. I also have a paint horse I've ridden at LW a lot! I've taken several paths down the mountain, and I've learned to always go down on Jingle. It's the easiest path down. There is just one steep spot as you switch from Jingle to Apple Tree but it's short. The rest of it is pretty mild.