I think that 18 mile estimate only works if your horse is Pegasus and flies in on a straight line <g>. I’m thinking it’s more like a 32 mile round trip (at least) where you’d have to navigate around ridges and steep drops. 32 miles is do-able but at slow and cautious speeds it would be an all day trip.
I don’t have the personal experiences you guys have and can only go by the hiking trail photos and videos. Although I’d be concerned about pulling a shoe, the photos show terrain that is tricky but not impossible. But; I could be very wrong. That’s why I’m asking.
The point of all this is that the folks that say they turned up during Mr. Gassler’s trip and the ones that found him weren’t just passing through on an afternoon ride. If they were in fact there and met up with Mr. Gassler I don’t think it was accidental. They were purposely in that area and went to considerable effort to be there. That doesn’t imply any bad motive. I would think it was more of a having a look see about what the old gentleman was up to. I’m thinking any bad actions came after the sheriff took his inventory, not before.
Of course all that goes out the window if Dave is correct that this was a study stream of traffic area. Kind of a Grand Central Station. That just doesn't fit for my idea of a prime location for Jake's lost and lonesome mine site. That could just be my Hollywood vision of the setting of Jake's mine
Hey Mike were your grandfathers Walkers show Walkers or flat shod? I’ve never shown Walkers but have been a co-exhibitor at many shows where they attend. Those folks know how to have a good time <g>. Some of the more memorable barn parties.
