My friends Carolyn and Elaine wanted to take a ride on the Iron Mountain Side Of the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (which happens to be my favorite part of the area. They wanted me to guide them.
We left out around 10:00 AM . Carolyn on her mare with her young dog a Heeler, Elaine on her gelding and her dog Toby a Pit Bull mix, I was on Tuff my paint gelding with Drover and Amarillo in attendance with me.
We headed for the Cherry Tree Shelter a hiker shelter on the AT and a pretty spot that our horse trail intersects the AT at about 4 miles from Fox Creek Horse Camp on the Iron Mountain Trail. As we neared the top of the mountain range about 4200 feet, we met a couple on horse back in a hurry to get back to their camp site. They were afraid of the black clouds in the distance (I had been watching them closely too) We continued on And I kept a close watch on the clouds.
We stopped for a while at the Cherry Tree Shelter and visited all the time with an eye on the the sky. We continued on Iron Mountain Trail towards Old 84. Once we intersected with Old 84 we went towards Rowland’s Creek Trail because the storm seemed to be moving off towards the east. We had a nice ride and as we approached Rowland’s Creek Trail intersection I could see a different section and view of the sky and realized there was another storm headed our way. I said” Girls we best not tarry and hurry every chance we get because it looks really rough!” So we made tracks as fast as we could.
What we had done is make a loop around the Cherry Tree Shelter. As we approached the Iron Mountain Trail again the wind had picked up, it had become just like before dark only (it was 2:00PM) the thunder was loud and the lightening scary! I thought maybe it will hold off till we make it to the shelter! So I did not put my good poncho on till it started to rain.. Trouble with that is it was pouring rain like water out of a big bucket! So I was drenched before I untied my poncho from my saddle! Not to smart on my part because I was wet and cold! The temp had dropped 30 degrees . We had about a half mile to go yet to the shelter. Carolyn said she did not mind the rain! (I don’t either but I do mind the lightening!) I knew we would need shelter from this storm!
By the time we hit the clearing it was raining side ways in sheets of rain…(You know the kind!) and the lightening was fierce!
We were three happy ladies to hit that shelter. But wait! I knew there would be some hikers in there most likely! But I had no idea! The thing was full with standing room only!There were 9 people and 2 dogs.. Then here come 3 hoses 3 ladies and 4 dogs! We ended up with the front edge of the shelter to sit on so we were out of the rain and Tuff and Elaine’s horse stuck their heads under the overhang. Amarillo sat with me and kept me warm..while Drover laid under the shelter with the heeler. Toby visited and played with anything that would pay him attention! And that is where we stayed for well over and hour as it rained at least 4 inches!
When it stopped we mounted up in wet saddles and clothes and finished our ride.
As we descended the mountain trail so did all that water! By the time we got to the 2nd creek crossing the creek looked more like a fast rolling river! But we all including the dogs made the crossing just fine!
The evening cleared off and we attended a beautiful fire works display at White Top!
It was a real nice day and a good ride!
