If this page doesn't have the correct date, please go to Facebook page which will always be current status. We're doing our best to update multiple places.

January 3 - trails are OPEN

**please walk if you encounter wet areas**

**You will notice newly open trails on Chinquapin, including a completely resurfaced bridge on the Rock house trail. All the trails are tagged.

The trail between the dam on Pete’s Pond and Rock House has been rerouted and is ready to ride. Consider it a Christmas gift from the Chinquapin family. If you see Nancy Mahler or Andrew Holbert please thank them for the work!**

Open trails are marked with surveyors tape - pink or green and occasionally, red. If there is no tape, you are on a closed trail. Use caution at creek crossings. Please do not go through any caution tape. Report any new obstructions to trailmaster@fetatrails.org. The FETA board, trail owners and volunteers are working to get more trails open. Please be patient as we work with contractors to get big blockages moved or trails rerouted.

The Following trails are cleared and flagged as OPEN:

Bypass Trail

Upper Ridgeview

Lower Ridgeview

Laurel Trail

Wistful Vista Trail

Rocky Road Trail

Cougar Trail

Sprague Trail is

Mr Grace & Autumn Hill Trails (a new connection between the Hunting Country and Peniel trails)

Pretty Bottom - all of Pretty Bottom is open with the exception of a couple of creek crossings and trails marked by "Caution" tape.

Mustang Alley

Cartwright’s Trace

Pony Track is open. There are some trees down, but there is a trail to take you around them.

Chinquapin Loop from Mane Gate - Mahler Meadow, Pete's Pond, Tigger Trot, across the creek, Colby, Big Drag, back to FENCE show grounds on Red Hill and Hoffman Hill.

James Loop on Chinquapin

Short Cut

Chuck’s Way

Dip of Death

Part of Connelly

Walker Property (on Hunting Country Rd; connects to Chinquapin and Pony Track)

Hayes Hollow

Peniel Trails - the following 3 loops are open:

Loop 1 - Thickety Ridge, Lady Slipper, Arrowhead Lake Trail, up Buds Boulevard and Ed's Alley back down to the lake.

Loop 2 - Thickety Ridge, Purdy Hill, Iris. Frank’s Trail is closed for hunting season.

Loop 3 - McIntyres Crossing across Henderson to Maude Carr and around the hayfield then back (please be sure to stay to the edge of the field)

Troppmanns fence to goldmine, to Cherokee and then a new reroute of heartbreak hill both lead over to the two trails that lead into Honeyhill.

Hooper Creek / Double Horseshoe / Maude Carr trails are open. One trail on Maude Carr’s that needs a professional crew to clear is taped off.

Stoneybrook trails are open with the exception of Lou’s Trail.

CLOSED TRAILS:

Any trail not flagged with pink or green surveyor’s tape is closed.

Cotton Patch and Long Lane trails are closed

Lou’s Trail in Stoneybrook is closed

Pucks Trail

Barking Fox Trail

Trail status information is available by calling the FETA recorded message line:  828-859-0133

OR  for the most up-to-date throughout the day

JOIN OUR FETA MEMBERS

Facebook page

REPORTING A TRAIL ISSUE

The best way to report a maintenance issue or hazard you encounter on the trails (such as a downed tree or other obstacle, a washed-out bank, a bridge safety concern, etc is to click here and fill out a Request for Trail Maintenance. The form has a place to upload pictures so please send one or two with your request so the Trailmaster can see the issue and be better able to address it sooner.

We designed this new reporting system to streamline and organize all requests in one place, so nothing slips through the cracks.  

Or you're also welcome to send an email by clicking here:  Trailmaster@fetatrails.org

HUNTING SEASON UPDATES

A downloadable PDF of all hunting season dates for North Carolina can be found here:

NC Hunting Season Dates 2023-2024 

It's always a good idea to wear brightly colored clothing on the trails for safety even when it isn't an active hunting season.

Important Trail Reminders:

• We would like to encourage FETA members to put their cell phone numbers on saddle tags.  Recently a horse was caught after being separated from it's rider and we realized how much easier it is to check on the rider and to reunite horse and rider if the rider's cell number is secured to the horse.
• Heads up (and tails down) for riders in Stoneybrook:  We are getting complaints of horse manure left on the roads in Stoneybrook.  If you must ride on a road be sure to get off your horse and scoop any poop off the pavement.  Better yet, stay off the pavement.

Trail News:

• The overpass on Hunting Country Road for Highway 26 at the FENCE riding location has extensive construction being conducted. Please use extreme caution walking your horse through the construction area if you choose to ride the trails on the showgrounds side of the overpass. Vehicles have been seen passing through without observing the traffic lights and it may be a hazard. Be alert. 

HUNTING COUNTRY VS PENIEL TRAILS

There are times when only part of the system will be open most likely due to the effects of rain. During a partial opening, it is important to know the demarcation between the two sides of the trail system. The line dividing the Hunting Country Trails and the Peniel Trails follows the path of Red Fox Road and Smith Dairy Road. See Map

Additional Reminders:

• Please remember that there is no smoking on FETA trails.  FETA trails are on private property and our generous landowners do not appreciate the fire hazard or the litter.  In addition to smoking there have been some water bottles and even beer cans dropped on trails.  We love our landowners so please do not litter and when it is safe to do so we can all help by picking any litter we see.
• When parking at FENCE use the designated lot across from the entrance to TROT and the Nature Center.  Do not use the lot intended for trail walkers that has the picnic shelter at one end.  
• When FETA is closed, the FENCE trails are closed too. 
• When there is a Hunter/Jumper event at FENCE, the gate between FENCE and FETA on Mahler's Meadow trail will be closed and locked and will not be unlocked for any reason. Plan on going alternate routes.
• Riding on closed trails is a violation of your FETA membership agreement.  Please remember that trails are on private land and that riding off trail is trespassing.  We all need to respect and appreciate the landowners as we all enjoy their generosity.  
• Do not ride in open fields (except for Sheila's Playground).  Stay to the woods edge or on the marked trails.
• FETA trails are not on public land.  Private landowners generously give us permission to use the trails that run through their property.  We have had instances where FETA members complain about barking dogs or loud equipment on private land; this is never appropriate.  Landowners have no obligation to riders beyond allowing you to be on the trail.  Please be polite and thank our landowners when you meet them.