Coming out of camp at the west trailhead, we took the first left to the eastern Hassler Creek crossing. We started to the left after crossing and rode an hourglass shaped loop that passed the McDowell Road Ridge Trail near its southern point. We then continued to the western Hassler Creek crossing via a trail that had areas that were fairly steep. After crossing, we turned left onto the Hassler Creek North Ridge Trail. We quickly made a right onto the Middle Ridge Loop Trail. This trail starts to the south along the middle Hogbacks ridge, then loops north to rejoin the Hassler Creek North Ridge Trail further north. We continued north on the Hassler Creek North Ridge Trail to Coldwater Road. We turned left on Coldwater, crossed the Hassler Creek bridge and road to the intersection with the Pineapple Trail. That trail is currently closed. We rehung the Caution tape at the trail entrance, then turned around and crossed the bridge and continued east to Coldwater Lake. We watered the horses at Coldwater Lake. After watering the horses, we took the connector trail right (south) towards camp. We took the first left to connect with the trail along the west side of the Serengeti. When we reached the point where we could turn right at the south end of Coldwater Lake, we turned and took the connector trail to the Coldwater Lake Ridge Trail. We then turned around and made the right to follow the trail along the east side of the swamp. That trail heads south, then turns east and terminates at the trail back to camp near the south end of the Serengeti. We turned right onto the trail, then took the first left to ride the Mud Lake loop. We then took a left and followed the North Camp Trail to return to the campground via the north trailhead.

Horseback Riding

This ride includes both Hassler Crew crossings included in the September 12 Double Cross ride. However, the leg approaching the western crossing is steep and is slippery when wet. Use caution in this section!! The Pineapple Trail is named after the interesting pattern of a willow tree near the north entrance. The Pineapple Trail is temporarily closed due to a section where there is deep muck where a horse can easily become mired!! It will remain closed until an effective repair can be implemented. Coldwater Lake is an unnamed small lake that is along the south edge of Coldwater Rd at the curves east of the Hassler Creek bridge. Coldwater Rd is closed to vehicular traffic within the park boundary. When crossing the Hassler Creek bridge, stay on the boards to the center of the bridge. The railroad ties to the sides are rotting from the inside and may not support your horse's weight! The Serengeti is the local name for the large field north of the campground and south of Coldwater Rd.

Elba Equestrian Complex, Elba, Genesee County Parks,

Oregon Township, Michigan, United States

time : Sep 20, 2025 11:23 AM

duration : 2h 33m 1s

distance : 5.7 mi

total_ascent : 979 ft

highest_point : 796 ft

avg_speed : 2.6 mi/h

user_id : fletchrider

user_firstname : Steve

user_lastname : Keim

Coming out of camp at the west trailhead, we took the first left to the eastern Hassler Creek crossing. We started to the left after crossing and rode an hourglass shaped loop that passed the McDowell Road Ridge Trail near its southern point. We then continued to the western Hassler Creek crossing via a trail that had areas that were fairly steep. After crossing, we turned left onto the Hassler Creek North Ridge Trail. We quickly made a right onto the Middle Ridge Loop Trail. This trail starts to the south along the middle Hogbacks ridge, then loops north to rejoin the Hassler Creek North Ridge Trail further north. We continued north on the Hassler Creek North Ridge Trail to Coldwater Road. We turned left on Coldwater, crossed the Hassler Creek bridge and road to the intersection with the Pineapple Trail. That trail is currently closed. We rehung the Caution tape at the trail entrance, then turned around and crossed the bridge and continued east to Coldwater Lake. We watered the horses at Coldwater Lake. After watering the horses, we took the connector trail right (south) towards camp. We took the first left to connect with the trail along the west side of the Serengeti. When we reached the point where we could turn right at the south end of Coldwater Lake, we turned and took the connector trail to the Coldwater Lake Ridge Trail. We then turned around and made the right to follow the trail along the east side of the swamp. That trail heads south, then turns east and terminates at the trail back to camp near the south end of the Serengeti. We turned right onto the trail, then took the first left to ride the Mud Lake loop. We then took a left and followed the North Camp Trail to return to the campground via the north trailhead.