A wild trail ride
38.84801831279, -110.8333404
The San Rafael Swell is 2,800 square miles of uninhabited wilderness of the American West where outlaws used to hide from the law and Native Americans made their home.
The Swell is a gigantic bubble in the earth’s crust which has eroded into a maze of deep, multi-hued canyons punctured by the mesas, buttes, and pinnacles typical of the world famous canyonlands geography. Riders will discover intricate trails established by native Americans, herdsmen and outlaws during the day, then hear stories about these trailblazers while relaxing around the campfire at night.
Always a highlight of the trips are views of mustangs or bighorn sheep which occur frequently.
From a deluxe basecamp riders will visit Red Canyon, The Penitentiary, The Chute, Muddy River Gorge, Chimney Canyon Gorge, Head of Sinbad, Courthouse Butte, Family Butte, Golden Gate, Twin Priests, Devil’s Monument, Devil’s Racetrack, Joe and his Dog, Sid’s Mountain, Swasey Arch, Dutchman Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon, Cold Canyon, The Snake Dance pictographs, South Fork pictographs, The Blue Man pictographs, and more.
HORSEBACK CAMP TRAIL RIDE IN UTAH
INDICATIVE ITINERARY*
Day 1 (Monday): Arrive in scenic Torrey and check into your accommodation (to be confirmed at the time of reservation). Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.
Meet at 7:00pm for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.
Day 2 (Tuesday): After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance to our headquarters. Here, we'll pack your gear in the 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and then depart around 9 am for our trailhead near Notom, Utah. From the Notom trailhead you'll ride up Pleasant Creek, passing through canyons where petrogylphs and historical inscriptions from early settlers can be viewed. Our basecamp is located near Pleasant Creek Falls.
Day 3 (Wednesday): After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Pleasant Creek basecamp you'll visit Tantulus flats and Lower Bown’s historical reservoir seated in the desert overlooking Capitol Reef National Park.
Day 4 (Thursday): From the Pleasant Creek camp you’ll visit ancient petroglyphs, slickrock mountains, slot-canyons & Tantulus canyon.
Day 5 (Friday): After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you'll ride to Miners Mountain trailhead near Grover, Utah. At trail’s end you'll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride to Torrey, arriving in the late afternoon.
MEETING:
Monday afternoon directly at Torrey: rent a car from alt Lake City or Las Vegas.
DEPARTURE:
Friday afternoon. Departure by car for one night (not included in Torrey) or other destination.
RIDING LEVEL: 
This stay is open to riders of all levels but it is necessary to have experience of outdoor riding, to be in good health and in good physical condition.
GUIDE:
Local English speaking guide.
GROUPS:
Up to 10 riders.
RYTHM:
You ride 4 to 6 hours per day on average. Mostly walk, trot and canter when the terrain permits. You ride at a comfortable pace for the group, sometimes splitting into two groups, one faster for experienced riders and the other quieter for those who want to take the time to savor the beauty and wonder of the landscapes. All the riders then meet and have a lunch break together. After the afternoon ride, you return to camp with plenty of time to clean up the gear and relax before dinner.
HORSES:
Our remuda consists of ranch raised Quarter Horses with a few Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Mustangs. Most of the horses we've bred and raised ourselves.
TACK:
Western.
ACCOMMODATION:
This is a wilderness trail ride: most of the nights are spent camping.
First night at a hotel or inn in Torrey (you will be advised of selection at time of booking) and remaining 3 nights spent camping at a base camp.
The base camp is located in a remote area, rarely used more than once or twice a season. The summer camp is usually located at a higher elevation, at lower elevations in the spring and fall.
Sensitive to the fragile environment, we use low impact camping techniques, small groups and well maintained equipment. All camping equipment is provided (camp beds, mattresses, sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and showers). Guests stay in tents for single or double occupancy.
The base camps are supplied by four-wheel drive vehicles, bringing the necessary for cooking, a shower tent, luggage, as well as food for the horses.
MEALS:
All meals from lunch on day 2 to lunch on day 5 are included. Dinner on the first and last day are not included. Meals at the camp: a varied menu of fresh foods awaits you, including beef from the owners' breeding. The cooks prepare fresh, local foods and offer grass-fed, hormone-free beef and pork.
2024 PRICE / PER PERSON:
In shared tents and bedrooms: 2300 €
Single tent and bedroom supplement: 250 €
Gratuity: 15% extra to be paid on site.
Booking fees: 15 €
Price may be revised downward or upward depending on variations in the $ / € exchange rate.
THE PRICE INCLUDES:
Horse and tack rental, supervision, daily equestrian activities, full board accommodation except first and last day dinners, taxes (6.5%), the financial guarantee of your payments by our travel operator deposit.
THE PRICE DOESN'T INCLUDE:
Individual insurance, alcoholic beverages, transports to/from Torney, dinners on arrival and departure days, mandatory 15% gratuities, everything that is not indicated in "the price includes".
INSURANCE:
A civil liability and travel insurance (assistance/repatriation) is compulsory. A cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
A payment by credit card can make you benefit from its possible insurance (check your contract).
We offer to Europe Union, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway residents: the Chapka insurances.
Cap Security: full insurance with cancellation. Cap Cancellation: cancellation only.
See prices & information
FLIGHTS:
Flights are not included because it is more interesting to book directly your ticket: a transport package included is generally more expensive with agency commissions. However, we are at your disposal to help you find the best prices or to offer you a flight included package on request.
CLIMAT:
Santa Rosa area
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
Average High Temperature (°F) | 55 | 59 | 66 | 75 | 83 | 91 | 92 | 90 | 84 | 75 | 63 | 55 |
Average Low Temperature (°F) | 25 | 27 | 33 | 40 | 49 | 57 | 62 | 60 | 53 | 42 | 32 | 25 |
Average High Temperature (°C) | 13 | 15 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 24 | 17 | 13 |
Average Low Temperature (°C) | -4 | -3 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 5 | 0 | -4 |
Average Precipitation (days of rain) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Source: NOAA
SAISONS:
L'abondance de divers types de paysages, l'air clair avec un ciel principalement bleu et les roches diverses et colorées donnent au Nouveau-Mexique sa magie proverbiale "Land of Enchantment". En raison de son emplacement au sud et du fait qu'il se trouvesous le vent des Rocheuses, le climat du Nouveau-Mexique n'est pas humide et en été assez chaud. En hiver, il peut faire froid, en raison de l'altitude (le ranch se trouve à 4500 pieds). 310 jours de soleil, associés à un climat doux et sec et à 4 saisons distinctes. Une humidité très faible signifie que même lorsque les températures augmentent, l'été est toujours agréable et les hivers ensoleillés sont relativement doux. Les précipitations annuelles moyennes sont d'environ 9 pouces, et l'humidité relative moyenne n'est que de 44 pour cent. Veuillez noter qu'une faible humidité et un ensoleillement abondant signifient que les cavaliers doivent rester hydratés en buvant beaucoup d'eau. Les cavaliers doivent également utiliser un écran solaire pour la protection de la peau. Les rayons UV sont plus forts à des altitudes plus élevées.
PRINTEMPS-ETE:
Le Nouveau-Mexique est synonyme de beau temps et les saisons de printemps et d'été ne font pas exception. Le climat désertique élevé avec une très faible humidité rend les températures confortables, avec des maximales moyennes au printemps autour de 69 degrés F et des minimums quotidiens moyens autour de 44 degrés F. Les maximales quotidiennes de l'été sont d'environ 89 degrés F et les basses sont d'environ 64 degrés F.
AUTOMNE:
L'automne est une saison spéciale au Nouveau-Mexique. Les matinées sont fraîches et agréables, réchauffées par le soleil éclatant; les peupliers se colorent d'un beau jaune le long du Rio Grande; et les marchés de producteurs saisonniers portent des fruits frais et du chili rôti. L'automne au Nouveau-Mexique est souvent appelé «été indien» en raison des températures chaudes en début de saison autour de 70 ° F / 21 ° C. L'été persiste encore en septembre et début octobre, avec une météo plus hivernale qui s'installe en novembre.