The Bear Basin Trail, Colorado.
Our base is Bear Basin Ranch, established in 1890 as a stopping-off post and horse exchange ranch on the Pony Express route. The 3,500 acre ranch is at 9,000 feet in the shadow of the magnificent Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Blood of Christ). This whole area was once the domain of the Ute Indians.
The first two days are spend learning the cowboy art of driving and corralling range cattle, including cutting and penning mounted on a well trained, no nonsense, working cow horse. This will give you the feel of the Quarter Horse and more importantly, the western tack.
The second part of the itinerary is a trail ride that leads through the mountains and out into the sand dunes of Colorado.
Country: USA
Getting there: London to Colorado Springs.
Terrain: Some riding is along rough, unmaintained trails that may require moving rockslides or chopping a fallen tree. We cross between valleys following old herder's tracks above the tree-line where it’s necessary to dismount and lead our horses over rugged terrain.
Pace: walk; 50% trot: 35%; canter/gallop 15%.
Horse Breed: The Quarter Horse. Of all the breeds in all the world, the Quarter Horse has to be right up there with the best! None of this unpredictable Arab carry on; none of the fragility of the Thoroughbred; none of the cheek of a pony. They’re quick, agile (sometimes even cat-like) and smart. I’m a fan, in case you couldn’t tell!
Tack: Western. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a treat. It’s a different philosophy compared to English; it has more in common with dressage riding, where less is done with the bit and considerably more with your leg and seat.
Rider’s involvement: it’s your horse for the week! You will need to groom and tack; untack during breaks; check hooves and generally make it your own. Guides available to advise and assist as necessary.
Rider’s weight: 90 Kg
Day-by-day Itinerary.
Day 1. London to Colorado Springs.
Arrive Colorado and transfer to Bear Basin. Check-in to “Cow Camp” an authentic bunkhouse in the middle of the ranch.
Day 2. Ranch ride.
The day starts with a word about grooming and saddling, while listening to details of the care, handling and riding of the western ranch horse. A brief explanation of the principals of herding cows ... then we are off over the rocky, pine covered hills to locate the grazing herd.
Later, the morning drive completed, try your hand at “cutting” and “penning”. Overnight at Cow Camp, as the coyotes howl on the hill side (I’m not kidding, they’re always close by!).
Day 3. To Music Pass trailhead. Start 5-day trail.
This trail is designed for the horse enthusiast and high country lover who want to experience a mountain world.
The trail meanders through aspen and spruce forests, home to mule deer, porcupine and wild turkey. We will ride about four hours up and over Music Pass (12,500 feet). Here you may hear strange whistling sounds that come from the yellow-bellied or mountain marmot.
From here we get the first glimpse of the vastness San Luis Valley; we set up tents, picket the horses and soon the scents of a mouth-watering feast mingled with woodsmoke entice us to gather round the fire for drinks and dinner.
Day 4 Music Pass to Sand Creek.
Load the packhorses and set off for Upper Sand Lake before descending to Sand Creek and a beautiful camp in a mountain meadow just above Little Sand creek. This is elk country and there’s a chance of seeing cougars and black bears too.
Day 5 Sand Creek to the Dunes.
We work as a team to break camp while enjoying a traditional pack-trip breakfast and lots of cowboy coffee. Today we ride on the west side of the range. It will be a long day, nearly 18 miles. We take a little known route down Sand Creek to the base of the mountains in the San Luis Valley. Here we intersect with a trail that heads south to the Sand Dunes. Big skies and the gradually emerging dunes dominant the day. We camp at the foot of the Dunes.
Day 6 Reaching the dunes.
After yesterday, today is a gentle pace. We ride into the dunes themselves (which is very hard work for the horses) and take it easy around camp. There is time to fish in the creek for those who wish. Tonight, as the fire dies down and you drift off to sleep, you may hear the calls screech owls and night hawks: slightly spooky, but absolutely typical of this wilderness area.
Day 7 Madano Pass to Cow Camp
After breakfast we break camp and head up to Madano Pass. As we approach the high country again, there are an amazing variety of wildflowers, especially at the peak of their season and if there's been sufficient water. We descend to the trailhead arriving by 4-6pm. We transfer back to Cow Camp for the night and a celebration supper.
Day 8 Fly Colorado to London.
Accommodation (Based on twin share; single occupancy option isn’t available.)
Cow Camp bunkhouse x 3 nights
Mountain camps (tents) x 4 nights.
Distance from urban areas: nearest town is Colorado Springs, which has everything you can dream of!
Guides: An American professional guide accompanies the group throughout; plus several wranglers to look after camp, horses and group.