electrical connections) it makes up for in scenic beauty. T e horse camp has 14 sites and two group areas that are specially des- ignated for equestrian use. Most sites have picnic tables and fi re pits. Centrally located vault toilets round out the conveniences in the horse camp. T e hiker’s camp is just a short walk away and off ers potable water, fl ush toilets and showers for those who need these comforting extras. T e camp’s stock amenities are limited to a stock water tank and ample trees for highlines and space for portable corrals. Of course, we don’t come to areas like
this for the campground features, we come for the riding opportunities, and Clark Fork doesn’t disappoint. With numerous trails radiating out from the horse camp, there are many diff erent options for any level of
rider. From exploring the trails around the campground as they meander through the forests and meadows along the Stanislaus to day-long and even overnight pack trips into the nearby Carson-Iceberg Wilderness area with its rugged landscapes punctuated with volcanic peaks and ridges, you’ll have a great ride. Sit ing at an elevation of over 6,000 feet,
the best times to visit Clark Fork are gener- ally late June to early August in a typical year. An excellent source of information about the Clark Fork area is the local Back- country Horsemen of California chapter. T e Mid Valley unit does a lot of work in the camp and on the trails here to make this an excellent destination point for riders from around the country.
I
HUNTINGTON STATE PARK, CONNECTICUT
SHOCKALOE HORSE TRAIL, MISSISSIPPI T
wain set both of his most famous works, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, in Mississippi, where he drew upon his childhood adventures. While it’s not known if Clemens ever visited the Shockaloe Trail region in his lifetime, it’s a sure bet that both Tom and Huckle- berry would have found any number of adventures in this part of Mississippi.
E Located within the Bienville National
Forest and just over 30 minutes from the city of Jackson, Mississippi, the Shockaloe Trail is an excellent place to ride and camp with horses and mules in central Missis- sippi. Indeed, the Shockaloe trail has even been placed in a national register of trails by the US Forest Service. Equestrian campers will fi nd access to the Shockaloe quite easy with two base camps, each offering designated camp spots, picnic tables, cooking grills, hitching rails and potable water along with conve- niently located restroom facilities.
T e trail itself totals over 23 miles in length as it winds through the National For- est. T e terrain is pret y fl at which makes it excellent for picking up the pace of your ride. Riders of the adventurous set will also fi nd jumps located along the way. Fortunately, for the rest of us there are alternate routes that avoid them if jumping isn’t your thing. T e trail periodically crosses lit le used roads and these off er the option of breaking the ride into smaller loops ranging from under two miles to the full 23 depending
e o
upon what length you have in mind for the trip.
Being located in the southern US,
the Shockaloe is open year round and is not only popular with riders but also bicy- clists and hunters. T at being the case, be prepared for company and during hunting season a big splash of safety orange on you and your mount would be a smart move.
W
e’ll wrap up this month’s trails troika with a day-use area in Redding, Connecti-
cut near where Samuel Clemens passed away. An interesting fact about Clemens is that he was born in 1835 as Halley’s Comet was vis- ible and went out the next time the famous comet returned to Earth, 74 years later, in 1910.
Just outside of the small rural town
of Redding is the Collis P. Huntington State Park, a tranquil day-use park of just over 1,000 acres and containing about 20 miles of equestrian-friendly trails. With five named trails and a multitude of unnamed single track, Huntington State Park has far more trails than you’ll be able to ride in a single day. Riders will fi nd two main parking
areas, each having picnic and toilet facilities. T e northernmost parking area on Old Dodgington Road has the best access to the largest number of trails, but parking here is a bit cramped. T e southern parking area on Sunset
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