Horse riding in a ranch in USA : CAMP TRAIL RIDE IN WYOMING

RANCH RIDING STAY IN THE WYOMINF
INDICATIVE ITINERARY *

Wednesday: Arrive at the main ranch and depart for Cow Camp on the morning of your first day. Plan to leave for camp around 10:15 a.m., but it's advisable to arrive well before for breakfast (served from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.) and coffee. Upon arrival, you'll meet your guides (Ross and Gabby) and load your luggage into a van waiting for you at camp. The first hike will largely depend on the riders' skill level and the location of the cattle. Some prefer a shorter hike on the first day to adjust to the altitude and get their sea legs. The most direct route follows a well-shaded alpine ridge, crosses a riparian pool, and returns directly to camp near the headwaters of Wayne's Creek. Hikers wanting a longer hike will traverse a desert landscape along a seasonal stream before climbing a steep ridge and reaching a lush microclimate called Wayne's Hole. After lunch, you'll ride through a vast aspen grove on an old logging road and back down to the back of camp. Upon arrival at camp, you'll choose a tent and retrieve your belongings from the truck while your guides tend to the horses and prepare refreshments. You'll have time to relax or explore before dinner. Most of our cooking is done over an open fire, which you're welcome to participate in. There's no set meal schedule, but dinner is usually served an hour or two before sunset. Main courses are prepared by the ranch's professional chef and range from cowboy chili to chicken cacciatore. After dinner, the cooking fire becomes a campfire, where you can roast marshmallows, have a drink, chat, or simply gaze at the stars. The horses are free to roam and graze throughout the camp, so don't be alarmed if you hear something whinnying outside your tent during the night.

Thursday: Your guides rise at sunrise to turn in the horses and build the fire for coffee. You're free to sleep in. That said, it's hard to sleep too late when the sun is shining and a dozen horses are zipping past your tent. The days are long, and breakfast is hearty: bacon, eggs, and starch. After breakfast, you'll prepare your picnic lunch while the guides saddle the horses. The second hike heads north from camp, through a vast watershed that's been the subject of a multi-year federal hydrological study. At the top of the watershed, you'll enjoy sweeping views of the Wind River Range and can clearly see Gannett Peak (Wyoming's highest peak) 30 miles to the southwest. From there, we'll follow a separate watershed, crossing a spectacular ravine in the shadow of Castle Rock, to the East Fork watershed. This basin is a wide-open riparian area renowned for its world-class fly fishing and lush green scenery. After lunch along the East Fork, you'll hike upriver and return to camp along the higher northern perimeter of Alkali Basin. The trail passes through several aspen groves and peaceful beaver ponds, and is teeming with wildlife. It's not uncommon to spot moose browsing on willow branches or wolves waking from their naps. Keep in mind that these hikes also serve a utilitarian purpose. Your group will watch for signs of predation on the cattle and check that the cows are healthy and in appropriate pastures. We don't create "work" just for show, but you'll most likely have the opportunity to participate in ranch work. After the hike, you can hike, read, learn to rope, spend time with the horses, or simply sit and admire the scenery. Cellular coverage is limited, but accessible if needed, making the camp a great place to disconnect for a few days..

Friday: The third hike is more of a scenic stroll than a workday. You'll depart camp directly toward Castle Rock and climb a long ridge that separates the East Fork and Bear Creek drainages. This vista showcases the amphitheater formations of the Absaroka Mountains that frame the two basins. You'll follow a wildlife trail along the ridge to the crystal-clear waters of Bear Creek. After lunch, you'll hike back up the basin to camp. This trail passes through several vast meadows interspersed with thick stands of lodgepole pine and runs alongside a stream punctuated by spectacular waterfalls. The combination of unique isolation, varied landscapes, and sweeping vistas makes the Bear Basin hike the highlight of many visitor experiences.

Saturday: The final hike departs from the opposite end of camp, like the previous ones. You'll follow the Alkali Creek Trail through several large stands of aspen trees. Cattle like to graze in the shady meadows fed by the creek, and this is a great opportunity to ensure the cows and their calves are happy and healthy. You'll stop for lunch in the largest aspen grove in the area. Depending on the season, this spot is often a favorite haunt of moose and antelope. In the afternoon, you'll climb the face of a large ridge with stunning views of the Wind River Valley. The final leg of the hike winds along the bottom of Alkali Basin, giving you a glimpse of a popular denning area for the East Fork wolf pack. After four long days in the saddle, a hearty dinner and a glass of wine, you'll enjoy burying yourself in your sleeping bag for a restful night.

Sunday: To simplify your trip, a truck will pick you and your luggage up at camp after breakfast on the last day. The return trip will be a bit bumpy along the old logging road, but it will be a beautiful journey through recognizable scenery. The truck usually arrives at the main ranch around 10:30 a.m.

* Alhough theitinerary may vary depending on the season as well as your interests and riding experience, each week has a basic structure designed to build your ranch vacation into a unique and memorable experience.