Erie Attica Trail - Challenge 1
I don't always get a free morning to go for a trail ride let alone trailer somewhere but today was different. My morning meeting was at a nearby office and not until 9am. As a morning person this left me PLENTY of time to get some ride time in.
I chose the Erie-Attica trail due to it's close proximity and level terrane. Despite it being August this was my First trail ride of the season so both myself and my horse were out of shape. Mother nature has also been brutal lately and with heavy rains the day prior and mist and rain threats during my planned ride I needed someplace with good footing.
The Erie-Attica is a converted railroad bed that connects to the Genesee Valley Greenway. It's located in Avon, NY just off of 5&20 right next to the Genesee River. The signage is clear and bright for the turn off the main road. It's a 30mph zone but despite persistent police coverage traffic often moves quick as it's 55 just over the river.
The road back to the parking area sometimes can be confusing. Just keep going. You'll travel under the railroad bridge which has a newly minted pot hole so keep an eye out for it.
The parking area itself is massive plenty of space for even the largest of rigs or group rides. You won't have any trouble driving a figure 8 if you feel compelled to do so.
The parking and trail are both gravel with 80% of the trail being a nicely packed stone dust with some larger aggregate on the snake turns around old bridge supports. If you have a stone sensitive horse you may choose to use boots or ride when they are shod.
The trail itself is your typical railroad bed, 15-20ft wide before steep drop offs on either side with the groomed packed path being about 10ft wide in the center. It starts off with a massive bridge over the Genesee River. There are mounting blocks on the other side and due to the shear size of the bridge and slippery wood I highly advise to walk over then mount. For those who are carriage drivers this area does not have any obstructions and you can easily get a carriage through and onto the Greenway from this point.
The trail itself starts off straight as an arrow with a few 'S' curves around old bridge supports. It is tree covered and cool passing by farm fields and ponds along the way. It ends down a small hill to a 'T' junction to the Genesee Greenway. Turn Left to go to Route 5, Turn Right for 7-10 miles of trail with no road crossings that will eventually meet up to the Lehigh Valley Trail system. Turn back and your round trip on the Erie-Attica Spurr is 3.8km around trip ~2 miles
Knowing I had time this morning to ride, nothing was going to deter my quest. Even the weather man and his pessimism about rain rolling through at the time I was due to be on the trail. I know a secret! The Avon area has what I call a donut effect and most storms will break just to the north and south of it leaving the Erie-Attica spur dry. I was going no matter what!
I had done the majority of my chores the night before leaving just turn-in and feeding to be done. Once breakfasts were finished I played “rock paper scissors” with myself to determine which horse got to go on my adventures. A game which I thought would hold biased but turns out if you’re a little ADHD like me totally achievable. The winner. Paper over rock for a Stallion. Great, what saddle to use? I had mentioned I haven’t ridden in a while and it’s August so thing humid green yuck covered saddles. The Western had a sheepskin seat cover and nylon fenders so it was easier to clean up so on it went.
My helmet was on the top shelf next to a grooming bag. Doesn’t sound exciting until I inform you that just 2 days ago I noticed bald faced hornets have taken up residence in said bag and I hadn’t yet had time to evict them. Being a cool morning and the activity from said bag at zero I felt cheeky and quickly snagged the helmet. Phew! I didn’t wake them.
Quick wipe down of my bridle and off to the trailer we went. Thankfully Pete loaded right up without an issue and I secured him. Now before you get on your soap box about trailering tacked I live in hunt country where stock trailers and tacked horses are common occurrence and our trip was only 5 miles down the road. Hardly a long haul.
The trip itself was uneventful sans 1 idiot in a LeFrois Construction truck who zig zagged past me to blow through a red left making a left turn. I assure you there is no job so important to put yourself or other in danger for.
The weatherman wasn’t wrong, the clouds were low and the mist thick enough I needed wipers and lights on. It was still a mist and not actual rain so I felt safe. We pulled into the parking area and of course I hit the stupid pothole, sorry Pete. I tossed my helmet on, bridled up Pete and unloaded him from the trailer just as another car pulled up. We’re not the only ones trying to bet the rain. I finished tightening my cinch and mounted as a gentleman and his beautiful English Chocolate Lab started out. They kindly waited for us to pass and we exchanged out hopefulness about the rain.
As we set foot on the bridge I felt Pete slip and immediately stopped and dismounted. Not worth a fall so we walked across and re-mounted using the perfectly placed limestone blocks. Thank you Parks for such consideration.
Once up we continued on the laser straight path. I took this time to focus on myself and make sure that even though this was a planned walking ride that I sat properly in the saddle and worked my muscles in an active manor vs passive. Pete took this time to scream like a lunatic for any horse who may be able to hear him. I assured him there wasn’t one around for miles and he eventually gave up hope.
Despite the low clouds the rain held off and it made for a pleasant ride. The trees offered a good block from the breeze but made for some scary ghosts that needed to be snorted at with flaccid young branches twirling in the light breeze seemingly unaware of their stoic neighbors.
Birds still active flitted across our path and providing a lovely melody to the rustling of wind blown tree tops. At the clearing where a farmer’s path crosses the bed Pete called out again hopeful there maybe a friend in the distance. No reply so I gave him a pat.
We weaved through the ’S’ curves and scared something in the bushes but thankfully Pete remained on a mission forward until we reached the intersection with the Greenway. We stopped and I took a moment at the ’T’ Marveling at how lucky I am to live in an area with such beautifully groomed trails before making our way backup the hill. Knowing this was a down and back trip I was prepared to have a handful of horse for the ride back as Pete marched up the hill. Once we reached the top he lowed his head, stretched and gave a big yawn. I guess I’m not the only one out of shape. I settled again and went back to focusing on my seat position, core and pelvic movement to control our gait. So far this was the most delightful ride.
My serene moment was briefly interrupted with the loud Jake break of a truck reminding me how close to 5&20 we really were despite not being able to see it. The trail really makes you feel like you’re deep in the woods.
Expecting to meet up with our English Lab friend on the way back I kept vigilant around the curves. Noting fresh tire tracks from bikes I also tried not to let my mind wander too much. But our ride back was uneventful and we saw no one else.
One good thing about me focusing on my horse for the ride is I could feel change in Pete’s gait and back, he had to go. I urged him off the the grassy side asked “you gotta poop?” He did, and happily left his business off the trail. Good boy! I was hoping he didn’t go on the bridge which if your horse does, please kick it off. The bridge is slippery enough without poop in the mix and it is a multi use trail. If you want others to be kind and respect your horse, have respect for your trail and use of it.
We never saw our English Lab friend again but upon our return a car with 2 Goldens showed up. Thankfully everyone today was leashed though the golden walker went down the farmers path which is NOT part of the trail system. The path leading towards the planted fields is an access road for farmers and private property. Stick to the clearly marked trails.
The Erie-Attica is a personal favorite of mine and is open year round. The only time I recommend NOT riding is in the winter when the trail is open to snow machines. Snow machines are allowed on the trail when the snow is a minimum of 6” deep. In the winter months it’s also good to note the bridge has rubber mats screwed to it to protect it from snow machines and there is a large groomer in the parking lot during those months. I highly recommend this trail and its ease of parking and access to the greenway. Perfect for level ground with good footing and miles of trail. Perfect for conditioning your horse or poor weather trail riding when other parks are off limits.
This wraps up the 1st of 14 horse friendly park trails in the Greater Rochester NY region. As always, ride safe, wear a helmet and remember to pickup after your horse at your trailer side. Until next time, trot on!
