Longtime readers of these dispatches may remember a few years back about my writing about the White Highway, the five mile stretch of snowmobile trail(s) that winds its way through the Matanuska Moose Range. It has been some time since I’ve written about it because it’s been some time since I’ve ridden it.

Last year the heavy snowfall was such that I didn’t get to horseback ride the route. This year, there has been far less snow, but I’ve been busy with the book project. Yesterday, Pete suggested we horseback ride the trail. I wanted to but could not say no – this morning the weather was good, the temperatures in the upper twenties and the low lying sun shining brightly. Most importantly, the horses needed a lengthy outing.

Raudia and Tyra ready for a ride

I said yes, but for the above reasons did not articulate my what ifs – i.e., what if the trail became punchy and a horse broke its leg? What if a horse refused to cross open water? What if a horse cracked through ice into open water? What if the snowmobilers were out in large numbers? What if one or both of the dogs got caught in a trap? What if we got lost? Well, this wasn’t a what if. Pete knows the area quite well – he bicycles and cross-country skis it in the winter months.

I thought, well, Pete did recon yesterday, on his bicycle, so as to check it out for horseback riding today. And he did recon today, so as to check it out for bicycling tomorrow. I was riding on his shirt tails.

It turned out to be a challenging ride, particularly for the horses. The White Highway was firmly packed – and the ground frozen, so the terrain was not at all punchy. We moved along at a quick pace, with Tyra and Raudi sharing lead responsibilities.

There were considerable ruts, a byproduct of the ATVer’s love of riding on soft packed, muddy terrain. And there was some open water. We came to the creek where many years back, Raudi dumped me. It was open for a ways, then towards the end, there was an ice bridge. Raudi had no problem with either the open water or the ice bridge. She trotted over the latter, Pete, following, remarked that the ice broke as she moved along.

We wound our way down the gentle downhill, through what I call the Lichen Moss Forest, sticking to the more heavily used trail on the left. We eventually came to another open creek – there was a steep drop off on both sides. I was concerned. Raudi checked it out, decided it was a no go on the left side, stepped off the bank, and climbed up the other side. Tyra, who was behind, took her time in checking it out, then followed Raudi.

The generally open area in the Moose Meadows was snow packed, as were the bridge crossings. The rest of the trek was uneventful. Rather than walk up Murphy Road, we instead took a side trail that took us through tussocks and brush.

I had worn my rubber boots because my Steiger Mukluks didn’t fit in my stirrups. The upside of this was that my feet would have stayed dry had I had to get off. The downside is that they are not insulated. So my feet did get cold. And I should have had another layer top and bottom.

We walked the last quarter mile stretch. I was euphoric because our highly educated horses and our well-behaved dogs made for a wonderful outing. Now would I do this again? Yes, but not alone. Those days may be over. If Tinni was still around, I would consider it. I will just have to convince Pete that it’s a good idea to revisit the White Highway.

Next: 352. 12/26/24: Putting the Horse in front of the Cart