Program Cost: $2,900
Join us for an authentic week of ranch cattle work. This week is not a contrived “herd the cattle back and forth for no reason” experience, instead it will be a glimpse into the realities of ranch life.
Overview
Our cattle graze on vast open mountain pastures with never ending vistas and the work required to keep everything well organized seems to go on just as long as the views. Activities may include fixing fence, searching for cattle killed by grizzly bears or wolves, putting out salt with pack horses and potentially herding cattle from pasture to pasture (depending on need). Maximum 6 riders, visit our rates page for pricing details.
Itinerary
Sample itinerary for illustration only- Each range rider brings a unique experience because this is not a scripted and “created for entertainment” week.
Sunday: Arrive between 2 and 5 pm and settle into your comfortable log cabin. Join your fellow guests for cocktails on the porch at 6.30 followed by a BBQ and bonfire by the river (weather permitting).
Monday: After a hearty breakfast gather by the corral at 9.15 for an introduction to the wranglers and a short demonstration of the riding techniques used on the ranch. Mount up and ride to the ring for a brief evaluation to make sure you are well matched with your horse, tack, and fellow riders. Then it is off on your first trail ride of the week! Return in time for lunch at 12.30, have a bit of time to relax and you are back in the saddle at 2.45, exploring a different area of the vast empty spaces that surround the ranch. Return from your ride between 4.30 and 5.30, which will give you time to shower and change before cocktail hour.
Tuesday: Set off into the National Forest to the East Fork basin section of the allotment. Check the fence along the border with the Indian Reservation riding through groves of aspen, hidden meadows and open pine forest. Ride on into the Alkali section of the allotment. If you wish, venture into Dubois this evening to join the weekly square dance, which starts at 8.00 in July and August.
Wednesday: Two half days of riding today, in different directions from the ranch. After the morning ride you’ll return to the lunch for lunch and a rest, with departure for a faster afternoon outing at 2.45 another enjoyable cocktail hour and delicious dinner.
Thursday: Check fences and cattle movements in the Alkali section, perhaps going up high near the base of Castle Rock. You will be riding through vast open meadows, interspersed with pockets of aspen and pine. The spectacular Wind River Mountain range is always in view on one side with the Absaroka Mountains on the other. Make your way back to the ranch in the afternoon.
Friday: A long ride in the morning is followed by a friendly team sorting competition in the afternoon (July, August and September). After gathering the cattle and driving them to the arena four team members attempt to drive ten Highland yearlings in numerical order from one end of the ring to the other in 4 minutes. You will find that the cattle never comply with the best laid plans! Cocktails are at 6:00 pm and dinner is again at 6.30 in July and August so that you can make it to Dubois by 8.00 to watch the local rodeo.
Saturday: An all day picnic ride that takes us high into the National Forest. There is often an opportunity to herd from pasture to pasture depending upon cattle movements.
Sunday: Departure after breakfast and a sad farewell to new found friends.
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