You can enjoy some of the best and most diverse trail riding in North America at the 1,300 acre ranch in Wyoming on this riding holiday. Located at the end of a remote valley bordering the Shoshone National Forest, 50 miles of unspoiled mountain wilderness separate the ranch from Yellowstone Park. While a guest on the ranch you can also take a 1-3 day pack trip into the Wilderness Area for a small additional fee. The ranch affords easy access to the high plains around the Wind River Indian Reservation which is ideal for faster paced riding. Your enjoyment and safety is their focus and so the ranch has a broad range of horses for all skill and confidence levels. You always ride in small groups with people of similar riding ability. The ranch has three certified riding instructors at the ranch who give optional video taped lessons twice a week. This is a working ranch as well as a 'dude ranch' and during your stay you will have frequent opportunities to help drive cattle, which graze in the adjacent national forest during the summer. Many of the horses enjoy cutting and driving cows and you will appreciate getting the feel of this traditional western way of life which is still very much alive at the ranch.
One way, to/from Jackson is $280 per vehicle for up to 3 people with $90 for each additional person, one way transfers to/from Riverton are $65 per person. Transfers between 10 AM and 8 PM
Flight guide
London to Jackson return from £740 - £870. See below for flight info.
This is a family run guest ranch in operation for over 30 years. The atmosphere on this riding holiday is informal and unstructured except for the horseback riding. Here you have an opportunity to meet people from places and professions you would rarely contact elsewhere. Many guests have formed life long friendships at the ranch. While horseback riding is the main focus of the holiday, the ranch also has excellent trout fishing both on the ranch and in the immediate area. There are two stocked ponds on the ranch, ideal for beginner fisherman, so your vacation can also be an introduction to fly fishing.
Horses and other animals This ranch is especially proud of the approximately 170 strong horse herd which they have been improving for the last 30 years. Many horses have been raised and trained on the ranch (using the non-confrontational techniques of Linda Tellington-Jones ). Others have been carefully selected over the years. There is a ratio of more than three riding horses per rider so that your mounts stay fresh and ready to go throughout the season. The horses have a good life and are well treated, happy animals. The ranch herd is made up of many different breeds including Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Percherons, Appaloosas, Icelandic, Arabians, and crosses. The horses born on the ranch are mainly Arabs, a breed well suited to the rugged terrain and rigorous trail rides. The aim is to raise friendly, sensible, steady Arabians with good manners as well as comfortable gaits, endurance and beauty.
Horses are trained Western style and are used to neck reining and going on a loose rein. English tack is available for advanced riders. The horse herd is the primary focus, followed by the cattle, but this is also a family farm with sheep, llamas, ducks, geese, chickens, peacocks, dogs and cats. Children love the lambs and foals. Since the ranch borders the wilderness areas of the Great Yellowstone ecosystem there are many wild animals about including deer, elk, moose, bear, coyote, wolf, beaver, big horned sheep, antelope and numerous others.
Riding
This is a land of vast expanses which offers you an exceptional variety of interesting terrain ideal for horse riding holidays. Sagebrush plains, grassy meadows and rocky gorges give way to pine and aspen clad mountains with alpine clearings. Spectacular new views keep opening up for you and perpetually snow clad mountains frame the scenery. You seldom see other people on the rides and you are 17 miles from a paved road in the closest direction. There are a number of interesting historical and geological sites which provide interesting destinations for horseback rides like an old hideout of Butch Cassidy and a site where many petrified bones of prehistoric animals can be seen. The week begins with a demonstration of riding techniques followed by an evaluation of the guests' riding ability and a short ride. On Monday afternoon there will be an opportunity to groom, saddle and bridle horses under wrangler supervision for those who want to gain this experience.
Pack Trips - The Bitterroot Ranch has an ideal location for pack trips into the spectacular wilderness of Wyoming. The Ranch borders the Shoshone National Forest which extends to the borders of Yellowstone Park and is part of the largest wild ecosystem remaining in the lower 48 states. Pack trips enable you to explore the wildest parts of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem near the Continental Divide. The best way to experience the full majesty of this country is by travelling on horseback with pack animals to set up camps in the remote heart of the wilderness. A cook and wrangler provide excellent service. Pack trips run for a minimum of 4 riders and incur an extra charge, please enquire for price.
Cattle Drives - The Bitterroot cattle graze on the adjacent national forest land from July to October. Guests who ride well enough can help the cowboys with the challenging work of herding the cows into the mountains the first week of July and rounding them up again the last week of September. The cattle are spread out over fifty square miles of high mountains, forests, clearings and river valleys so that riders are often off the beaten path in country where one encounters wild game like elk, deer, moose, and grizzly bear. During both weeks guests will return to their cabins each night and have breakfast and dinner in the main lodge. Most days lunches will be along the trail. All cabins have their own private baths and electric heat. Riders participate in the routine of a working cowboy gathering scattered herds, driving them to and from summer pasture, and sorting animals. This work is varied and unpredictable but requires long hours in the saddle. Please note that weather, unexpected movements of cattle or Forest Service instruction could change plans.
Accommodation and Food
This ranch has been run by the Fox Family for over thirty years. The atmosphere is unstructured except for the riding. Guests stay in comfortable, individual log cabins located along the river for maximum privacy and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The invigorating mountain air and a day in the saddle will whet your appetite for the delicious food and wine they serve including ranch raised beef, lamb and salads. The Foxes join guests at meal times and often lead the rides which contributes to a convivial family atmosphere at the ranch.
Other Activities Fly Fishing - Wild Cutthroat Trout are abundant in the private stream of the remote Bitterroot Ranch where fishermen usually have miles of water to themselves. Your host usually fishes with guests two or three times a week if they wish and can give some instruction. Those who come primarily to fish will have more flexibility if they bring a car as further superb fishing can be found in the area.
Hiking - Some guests are not riders and would rather hike, while some of the riders like to take time off from riding to walk in this beautiful area in and around the Bitterroot Ranch. From easy hikes to challenging all day affairs you can be sure that you are rewarded with magnificent views across the valley of the Wind River mountains.
Wildflowers and Trees on the Ranch - There is a wide variety of wildflowers and magnificent trees around the ranch. The wildflowers blossom in glorious profusion in late spring and summer and the trees provide a spectacular amount of color in the fall. The ranch is named for the Bitterroot flower and in late June, they cover the sagebrush hills, giving them a rose colour in places. The root is nutritious and was greatly prized by the Indians who dried and stored them for winter. Europeans found it too bitter for their liking. It supplied much needed vitamins, which were otherwise lacking in Indian diets consisting mainly of meat.
NOTES - WYOMING, BITTEROOT RANCH
Please note that all our ranch prices are fully inclusive of taxes, charges and gratuities. Extras that are commonly charged onsite at ranches which we include in our prices are: state taxes (2-8%), local town taxes (1-5%), accommodation tax ($1-5/night) and gratuities (12-15% is commonly expected as the staff are paid largely via tips). Our prices include all of the these and are guaranteed not to be affected by currency fluctuations once booked.
Please note the ranch is closed between the 19th and 24th September 2010
* Special Events
30th May - 6th June - Donna Snyder-Smith Centred Riding Clinic
20th - 27th June - Linda Tellington-Jones TTEAM for Horses Clinic
27th June - 4th July - Cattle Round-Up
9th August - 5th September - Donna Snyder-Smith Centred Riding Clinic
5th - 9th September - Donna Snyder-Smith Centred Riding Step 2
24th September - 1st October - Cattle Round-Up
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/200 lb/91 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
Should you wish to receive further details of this ride please click here.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
Rates include accommodation, all meals, including wine with meals, fishing and daily riding except for Sunday, a 15% gratuity and all local and state taxes.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Jackson Hole or Riverton. Transfer charges: One way, to or from Jackson Hole is $280 per vehicle for up to 4 people with $70 for each additional person, one way transfers to or from Riverton are $60 per person. Transfers are between 10 AM and 8 PM
What you see on our web site is exactly how much your invoice will come to and this will not change once booked. Unlike some other companies the prices on our web site are fully inclusive of often hidden extras such as: VAT, Sales Tax, state taxes, city taxes, service charges, non-optional tips, fuel surcharges which can add 20% or more to the advertised cost. Prices are available in £ sterling, Euros and US$. Once invoiced, prices are guaranteed against adverse currency fluctuations. Contact us for package prices which include flights from the UK and see each ride for exact details of all items in individual itineraries.
17, Acorn Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 ORA, England
Tel: +44 (0)1767 600606 Fax: +44 (0)1767 312555
Office hours 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday
Email: enquiries@unicorntrails.com http://www.unicorntrails.com
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