Before we continue with our visit to the south end of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and the Merigan staging area, lets consider the gear we are using and what is appropriate and essential for using the back country. Remember you are using a wilderness area and you are on your own. There is a patrol on the weekends but they cannot be everywhere at the same time, you will be responsible for you and your horse. Make your visits safe for all of you.
Make sure you have a horse that you are confident in, he is not spooky or crazy, but easy to handle and is willing to work with you, it is always good to have a riding partner and if possible let someone know where you are going. You will be going up and down hills and over creeks and the conditions are not always perfect, many of the trails are brushy and overgrown and the footing is often washed out so a good trail horse is important, but don't let me scare you off just be prepared, he will improve with use and so do the trails.
Have a good halter for your horse and be able to use it under the bridle you are using, the tied rope halters with a twelve foot lead are great they fit nicely under the bridle and enable you to remove it when you want him to have a drink. You can also tie him easier with a longer lead. Be sure you only tie directly to a tree in an emergency and don't leave him there too long as most horses will dig up the area where they are standing and damage the tree, use a tree saver where possible or hold his lead or have someone hold him for you while you tend to whatever it is you are doing.
A good saddle is important, one that will stay on his back even if you aren't. Going up and down hill will cause it to change position, be sure it stays where you want it. This can be as simple as a good snug cinch, front and back if you have them, a loose back cinch does nothing, so if you have it use it just be sure it is connected to the front one so as it comes loose it won't slide back, stop and readjust it at least before you go downhill. If a tight back cinch still allows the saddle to slide too much, you might consider a crupper or a britchin if you ride a mule.
All types of saddles work out well for trail riding, but it you are going to pursue an active career be sure to add rings for a breast collar and a crupper if you need it, and strings to tie with are especially necessary. Most saddle shops will do this for you. Saddles with horns are good for ponying other horses or hanging things on or hanging on to.
Good padding is necessary, at least 5/8's of an inch between your fingers as you squeeze the pad. Over an inch is too much and can make the saddle slide from side to side. Wool is always good against the horses back, but there are many out there that work great. I like being multi-purpose and use a 32" x 64" blanket and a wool pad sandwiched in between, this makes a great sleeping arrangement if we are out overnight. Lay them on top of your poncho or ground cloth to keep them clean, but you might have to let them dry out at the end of the day.
In addition to a good saddle and pad and halter, at least carry a pocketknife, but a straight blade knife is better and you can get to it faster if you need to. And or a combination tool like a leatherman will fix most anything you break. If you are bringing a lunch and maybe a few cold ones and carry a bag of some sort (cantle bag, horn bag or saddle bag) you can include plenty of other things, just use discretion. There is a plethora of items for your first aid kit but at least add a small roll of black tape, very handy for patching you, your horse or your gear. I always have a handkerchief in my pocket or around my neck, I once read a book entitled "101 Things to do with a Handkerchief, I will spare you the details, but do include at least one. Don't forget your jacket and a plastic rain poncho or at least a plastic trash bag. Conditions change quickly in the mountains. If you have one a cell phone it will solve emergency problems, but there are many areas where they won't work, but if you have one bring it. We're ready.
To continue our tour of the trails from the south end parking area, you visited the Dead Horse trail on our first ride, this time we will do the Blue Ribbon Trail. Like the Dead Horse it is more fun to go down than up, but up is fine too. Since there is only one way in and out of the Merigan Staging area, start on the same fire road as before and continue to the Secret Meadow, as the road turns to the right you will notice a sign for the Sweetwater Trail going in the direction of Green Valley Falls, take this turn to the left and follow it to the South Boundary road, along the way as you pass through the heavy brush over-looking a canyon off to the left or west the ambitious can find a old break that drops to the creek, it is very dangerous and not an official trail, but you can discover a hidden waterfall and a great place to lay in the sun. Its best to ride a little farther and as the Sweetwater Trail descends to the river bed, park your horses and hike back to the falls. The Sweetwater is planted with trout and along in here are many good fishing holes, bring a pole if you like. This is a remote area, but you may encounter an ambitious hiker from Green Valley Falls, which is a couple of miles upstream.
Continue following the creek trail north to the South Boundary Road, we will be going right but the trail also goes left and here is a good watering hole for your horses. Always carry a map with you either from the park or one of the local vendors; the one made by Tom Harrison is best. Just up the road to the East is a good lunch area with plenty of tie racks, put there by Holidays on Horseback, it's a little overkill but will handle a lot of horses. You will come to the Blue Ribbon Trail a short mile east, for our three hour ride from the parking area you will want to turn here and drop back down the trail. If you want a longer ride you can continue straight and end up at Highway 79. Consult your map for options. As you descend the barn you see on the hill is Bud Bakers place across from the Thousand Trails Resort, when you reach a junction in the trail we will go right, left takes you into Bakers ranch where there is a trail to let you pass to Hwy. 79 and the East side of the park. The folks are friendly, but be on your best behavior so we don't loose our privilege to pass through here. Just before crossing the Descanso Creek you may have noticed a level area where an old structure stood that was along the original toll road to the Cuyamaca Mines from the 1870's. There is a waterfall upstream at this point, but no trail and it is real brushy. The trail will reach the South Boundary road, where you turn right to another creek crossing and a return to Secret Meadow to the east and eventually the Merigan Staging area. The big hole or pond, when it has water, was used to water cattle for the Oliver Ranch.
This loop should take two to three hours, depending on how fast you travel and how many stops you make. Please be courteous to bikers and hikers as you once in a while will run into them, hopefully not literally. Don't forget your map.
Before we continue with our visit to the south end of the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and the Merigan staging area, lets consider the gear we are using and what is appropriate and essential for using the back country. Remember you are using a wilderness area and you are on your own. There is a patrol on the weekends but they cannot be everywhere at the same time, you will be responsible for you and your horse. Make your visits safe for all of you. 