Winder, who recently retired as head of the town’s water department, says there’s no shortage of multi-use trails in the area, but he likes to pre-hike them to be sure they are suitable for equestrians and equines alike. “The White Mountain[s] Trail System is an awesome organization. The trails on Mount Baldy are my favorite when it comes to hiking – however, for riding, it has to be Los Burros. There are corrals, campgrounds, historical buildings and great conditions for riding, hiking and biking. The elevation also puts you into the pines as well as the aspens. I really love this trail in the fall.”
Because Ginger is such a social butterfly, she’s like a magnet for hikers who want to admire and pet her. The drill for horse encounters mandates that hikers and bikers step to the side of the trail, follow the directions from the rider and never stand directly behind a horse because you could suffer a hoof to the shin. Hikers with dogs should leash them when horses approach.
Ginger loves attention, and Winder is usually happy to facilitate trailside meet-and-greets, he says. “There is nothing cuter than seeing a child see and touch a horse for the first time.”
— Mare Czinar
LOS BURROS TRAIL #631
LENGTH: 13 miles roundtrip
RATING: Moderate
ELEVATION: 7,000’-8,370’
GETTING THERE: From Pinetop-Lakeside, travel east on State Route 260 to Vernon Road in McNary between mileposts 360-361. (FYI: This road is also known as Forest Road 224.) Turn left (north) and continue 7.9 miles to Los Burros trailhead #2 (located at the mile 8 marker) on the right. Roads are sedan-friendly maintained dirt.
NEXT MONTH:
A Valley hiker and photographer shares tips for getting great trail shots.
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