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Date: 11/26/2025
Subject: FETA Fall Newsletter 2025
From: FETA President

preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina Foothills hunting country

FETA Newsletter

Fall 2025

President's Message

Larry Roselle

Hello FETA Family!

We have been blessed with volunteers offering numerous pop-up explorer rides which offer those who are new to the trails an opportunity to explore and learn the system better. The response from you, our members, has been fantastic. A huge thank you goes out from the board to all our volunteers for organizing these rides. Our trail system is different from other trails in that they are all on private property. You may wonder why our trails are not heavily marked with signage like those on public property or in state parks. It is because our trails are only for your safe equestrian use and not to be open to the public. So, riding with those who know the trails is the best way to learn the system. Please note that explorer rides are temporarily suspended due to the EHV1 outbreak. We are closely monitoring the situation and this suspension does not affect normal trail riding.

Please remember that this is hunting season. Many of our trail owners are hunters, or have friends that like to hunt, and rightfully hunt or allow their friends to hunt on their property. To be safe, we will occasionally close some trails from time to time. For your own safety, wear something brightly colored as we do not always know in advance when to close a trail.

This has been an extraordinary year for FETA. We have been blessed with a group of volunteers, including our board members, who have helped to recover from the damage of Hurricane Helene. We have also been blessed with an outpouring of donations that have helped pay for the outside contractor to handle the heavy load. Together, we have made much progress! As the year comes to a close, we look to finish the recovery next year and welcome and ask for your continued volunteer efforts and financial contributions.

Happy Holidays and Happy Trails to all of you!

Larry Roselle, President

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Trail Updates

Frank's Trail

Frank's Trail on the Smith property (Peniel side) remains closed through the end of hunting season (January 1, 2026).

Explorer Rides Temporarily Suspended

Lynne Driscoll

Due to the EHV1 outbreak, the FETA board has decided to suspend any scheduled Explorer Rides. If you are signed up for one, you will have a credit on your account to use in the future. This does not affect your ability to ride as part of normal course when trails are open.

Sorry! This will pass quickly.

Roseland Preserve

Faith Jorgenson

The bottom loop of Roseland Preserve is cleared. I have included photos that are numbered with captions to correspond with these directions. I don’t know if they will appear in order. “Bottom Loop” signs have been added at all of the turns. Following those signs will take riders in a clockwise direction. Following are directions to the bottom loop. You may find it helpful to take a screenshot so that you have these directions handy while you’re riding:

The bottom trail is accessible from Long Lane Farm. Take Turkey Trot (west) past the intersection with Trillium (Trillium Trail is on the right or north side). Turkey Trot becomes Many Levels trail. Before the stand of dog hobble at the stream crossing on Many Levels trail, Vaughn Creek trail goes off to the right. Take it. There is a stream crossing early on. There are two ways to cross. One crossing is amended with geo-material and gravel (Photo 1). The other is to the right and is a natural crossing (Photo 2). I prefer to go up the gravel crossing and come back on the natural one. Follow the signs through the woods to Vaughn Creek. The small step down on the bank is slick (Photo 3). I prefer to have my horse step directly off the bank into the creek. I have checked the creek bottom. It is solid. There are old tires in the creek. Avoid them. Across Vaughn Creek is the Town of Tryon Water Treatment Plant (TOTWTP). The path from the creek on that side is sandy and gentle (Photo 4). Once in the clearing, keep to the edge of the field. DO NOT TURN LEFT. The gun range is to the left (Photo 5). Turn right and follow Vaughn Creek (Photo 6). The creek empties into the North Pacolet River. At the corner of the field turn left. The Pacolet will be on your right. The footing is a grassy field on sandy river bottom. Look for groundhog holes. Once you reach the tree line at the other end, look for an opening into woods next to the river (Photo 7). Once under the canopy, there is a sign “Cane Shoals” (Photo 8). You can ride to the right along the river or to the left. I prefer to go left so that my horse will walk up the horse stairs instead of coming down. Turn left. Ride up the stairs (Photo 9). At the top, turn right onto Pipeline Trail. Stay on this trail for a good ways. There will be a gravel trail downhill to the right. Take that trail (Photo 10). Do not continue straight on Pipeline. At the bottom of the gravel slope, bear to the right on to Cane Shoals trail. The Pacolet will now be on your left. Follow the trail through the woods then along the river until you are back at the entrance to the canopy. Reverse your ride in the field making your way back to Vaughn Creek.

Photo 1

Amended crossing with geo-material and gravel

Photo 2

Natural crossing on the right side

Photo 3

Showing the step down on the bank into the creek - it is safer to have your horse step directly into the creek rather than stepping on the bank.

Photo 4

Across Vaughn Creek is the Town of Tryon Water Treatment Plant (TOTWTP). The path from the creek on that side is sandy and gentle

Photo 5

Markers indicate the Gun Range to the left.

Photo 6

Trail markers indicate to keep to the field's edge.

Photo 7

Once you reach the tree line at the other end, look for this opening into woods next to the river.

Photo 8

Once under the canopy, there is a sign “Cane Shoals”.

Photo 9

Stairs that can be taken to the left that are more gradual.

Photo 10

Look for this gravel trail downhill to the right off of Pipeline. Take this trail.

Deer Hunting Season

Deer hunting season is here. Please make sure you are visible to hunters as you ride the trails. Blaze orange or other high visibility apparel is highly
recommended on all FETA trails and REQUIRED to ride the trails on Chinquapin (the farm behind the FENCE Showgrounds).

Vests and helmet covers are readily available for riders and ear covers, trail sheets and more are available for horses. There are blaze orange FETA tees available for purchase in the gear shop on the website as well!

Blackpowder season is in effect now until November 28th.

Gun season begins November 29 through January 1, 2026.

Ride safe!

FETA Orange Tee

Why Helmets Are Required on FETA Trails

As FETA members, we are fortunate to enjoy a trail system made possible entirely by the generosity of private trail owners. To keep these trails open and our unique trail system safe, FETA requires all riders to wear helmets. This rule is simple, but it serves a few important purposes.

Rider Safety
Even the most reliable horse can spook, stumble, or react unexpectedly. A properly fitted helmet is the most effective protection against serious head injury. By wearing one every ride, we significantly reduce preventable accidents on the trails.

Preserving Access for Everyone
A consistent helmet requirement supports FETA’s long-term mission: preserving the legacy trails of the Carolina Foothills hunting country. When members follow the rules, it protects the trail system, respects trail owners, and helps ensure continued access for current and future riders.

Helmet use isn’t just a personal choice—it’s a member responsibility. By wearing a helmet every time we ride on FETA trails, we protect ourselves, honor our trail owners, and contribute to the longevity of the trail system we all value.

FETA Gear

Did you know that FETA has a gear store? Click the link below to check out a great variety of sweatshirts, t-shirts, mugs, stickers, and more!

Visit the FETA Gear store!

FETA Quick Reference

Foothills Equestrian Trails Association

Trails are on PRIVATE property and open to current FETA members only.
Check trail status on the FETA Facebook group or call 828-859-0133 before you ride to confirm trail status. Stay off trails when they are closed.
Members are required to wear an approved helmet while riding the FETA and FENCE trails.
Current tags need to be displayed on the left side of your saddle.
Maximum 6 riders in a group.
Stay on marked trails, obey all signs.
Walk when approaching other riders, around fence lines and on poor footing. Stay to the edge of fields.
When passing through gates, leave them as you found them.
Mounted riding only; no ponying, no dogs, no hikers, no biking.
Do not eat, drink alcoholic beverages, litter or smoke on the trails.
Membership year is from May 1st until April 30th unless you have recently moved to the area.
Members may bring personal guests. A properly executed Guest Release must be submitted BEFORE the ride.
Local resident guests may ride once per month as a guest. Guests must carry a guest tag and current Coggins.
The FETA parking decal should be displayed on the driver’s side rear window. Guests parking should place a dated parking tag on the dash of their tow vehicle.
FETA membership of an out of area rider expires when your horse is no longer boarded in the FETA area.