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Virginia Highlands Horse Trail Mule Ramble Update: Cripple Creek

Published June 2, 2024

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

Howdy. Mules Brick, Cracker and I wanted to give you a quick update about our pack trip up the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail. We’ve been on the road nine days now and have traveled about 70 miles. Cell phone reception has been pretty much nonexistent, but I finally got some coverage in Cripple Creek.

Long Rider Bernie Harberts with mules Brick and Cracker on Grayson Highlands, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — Brick, Cracker and me on Grayson Highlands (photo by SheRa)

I thought you’d enjoy these photos from the last few days. The Virginia Highlands Horse Trail is an absolute treasure. I traveled for two full days without seeing anybody.

Mules Brick and Cracker on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — Brick and Cracker on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail

Warning sign for horse and mule riders at Hussey Mountain Horse Camp on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, Virginia — You’ve been warned. Horse and muleback riders beware: a sign at Hussey Mountain Horse Camp. Some parts of the trail can be dangerously rough. (Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, Virginia)

Renegade hoof boots on mules Brick and Cracker on a rocky section of the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — Brick and Cracker’s Renegade hoof boots on a rocky section of the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail

Mules Brick and Cracker in rough terrain on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail wearing Renegade hoof boots — Some people say hoof boots aren’t good for rough terrain. I say steel shoes aren’t perfect, either. So far, I haven’t lost a single hoof boot in 60 miles of sometimes really rough going.

Trail rider showing Long Rider Bernie Harberts the route on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — Showing me the route

Cody and Clay giving routing advice to Long Rider Bernie Harberts at Fox Creek Camp on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — Cody and Clay giving me routing advice (Fox Creek Camp, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail)

Slug on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail near Raccoon Camp, Virginia — Meet my forest neighbor, Mrs (or Mr?) Slug (2 miles from Raccoon Camp, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail)

Long Rider Bernie Harberts cooking on a BioLite wood stove on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — I’ve been cooking all my meals on a BioLite wood stove. I use fatwood from our farm to light the stove in rainy conditions. Here, I’m wedging a piece of rhododendron into my fatwood bundle to keep it tight.

I’m currently camped at Nancy and Bill Sluys’ in Cripple Creek. Thank you guys so much for putting up the mules and me. I apologize for the way the microwave stinks of burned croissant. I think I’ve been in the woods a little too long to operate other peoples’ appliances.

Long Rider Bernie Harberts camped at Bill and Nancy Sluys' farm in Cripple Creek, Virginia with Keith Smith holding mule Brick — Camped at Bill and Nancy Sluys’ farm. That’s Keith Smith holding Brick. (Cripple Creek, Virginia)

Renegade hoof boot repair at Bill and Nancy Sluys' farm in Cripple Creek, Virginia with Hannah and Lisa — Renegade hoof boot repair party: rebuilding Renegade hoof boots with Hannah and Lisa at Bill and Nancy’s. My boots have held up great in the rough going. (Cripple Creek, Virginia)

The Next Leg in the Mule Ramble

The mules and I plan to get back on the trail tomorrow and head toward Ivanhoe on the New River.

Happy rambling!

Bernie

Read more posts from this ramble: Virginia Highlands Horse Trail — A Mule Ramble.

A few years earlier, my wife Julia and I rode a good stretch of the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail together, which became its own adventure. Julia documented that ramble on her blog Saddle Under the Stars and you can read those posts here:

More about mule rambling the Virginia Highlands.

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