Transfer and Other Options:

Basic Itinerary:

Day 1: Afternoon transfer from Silver City (extra) and check into the guesthouse. Dinner is not included.

Day 2 to 6:  Early morning pick up from guesthouse and breakfast along the way to the trail head. Packing all gear on the pack horses and departure into the wilderness for full five riding days with overnights in tents. Visit the high country of the Gila Wilderness or into the Blue Wilderness of Arizona. Swim in the most spectacular pools. Learn about the historic administrative centers.
Ride the birthplace of Geronimo. See these little-known and hidden ancient Indian Cliff Dwellings. Ride along the most unusual and unique canyon walls in America -- spectacular hoodoo's and caves. Observe 1000 year-old petroglyphs See the remains of late 1800's homesteaders.  Hear and see the newly introduced Mexican Gray Wolf See where the Apache's hide from the Calvary Observe the best of the wildlife. A true wilderness - adventure experience
Return to trail head between 3 and 5 PM on last day and departure (optional transfer to Silver City).

Sample trail description below:

Blue Wilderness, AZ
Spring or Late Fall trips…
Our journey will begin at the trailhead on the very western edge of New Mexico. We collect all the gear and supplies and load up the pack mules. Riders are fitted to horses, and given riding instructions.
We begin riding and soon cross over into Arizona climbing our way steadily toward the mountains ahead.We ride about 6 miles to our lower base camp located along Little Blue Creek.  Once we arrive, we set up tents and square away the gear and highline the animals. Later in the afternoon, we ride up Yam Canyon a narrow and spectacular canyon with cascading waterfalls and unique rock formations.
Our final destination is to a site marked by a historic Spanish Mining symbol. More than 340 years ago, Spaniards mined for gold and silver in this part of America and left the unusual tree marking. In addition, Apache Indians used this same trail to make there way back to the mountains of New Mexico during their continual escapes from the government reservation in San Carlos, AZ.
A great meal awaits riders at the end of each day – steaks cooked over an open fire, chicken stir-fry, burritos, and pasta dishes, will all the trimmings. A warm camp fire each evening to cheer our hearts and tell tall stories.
Our journey continues on the next day, giving riders a sense of the unique beauty and sheer size of the Blue Wilderness area. We ride along the Little Blue River on our way to Bear Valley. The ride traverses beautiful water filled canyon, passing beneath some breath-taking hoodoos, and a slot canyon.  We take a break at the corrals in Bear Valley where we explore an old homestead site containing many interesting artifacts, including old china, bottles and wagon wheel parts. After our break, we get back into the saddle and begin our climb into higher country where grand vistas abound in every direction. This ride sets the tone for the rest of our adventure in this unique, remote and expansive wilderness area.  There is a good possibility that riders will observe some of the abundant wildlife, including mule deer and herds of elk. The ride ends with a loop back to camp.
On the next day we journey to lower country, an area that offers a completely different landscape that is more open and has unusual geological formations with grand vistas. Our final destination is Winter Cabin - a line shack that is used by cowboys to this day as they work to gather and brand cattle. Winter Cabin sits along a slow moving spring surrounded by large oak trees. This is great place to get off the horse and explore. We sometimes spike camp at Winter Cabin.
Another day ride may take us into the high country, where we ride to the tallest point in the Blue Range, Bear Mountain. 
From there, we’ll follow the razor back Telegraph Ridge, where riders get a fantastic view of the expansive mountain range lying to the east and the deep canyons that lie to the west. Bring your camera. Again, we are swallowed up in the beauty, remoteness and size of this uncivilized country.
We return to camp by about 3 p.m., following the same trail we rode in on.

Summer Trips…
Depending of the length of summer trips we will move to our higher camp, either on day two or day three. One of our summer camps is located at Franz Springs. A wonderful old log cabin and corrals are located here.
From Franz Springs we journey the next two days through some of the grandest country in America. We take the Tige Rim Ride, where we follow the very edge of sheer cliffs, soaking in endless views of the Gila Wilderness, which lies to the east. This ride continues in a loop. We take a lunch break along a beautiful running creek. There is a nice hike up the narrow creek to some great pools of water and spectacular wildflowers. After lunch, we continue the loop and make a stop as some of the most unusual geological formations yet seen: white spirals of rock jutting straight up in towers. Walking around this site is like a trip into Utah, or to the Moon! After a day of exploring, we make our way back to camp for another tasty meal.
The next day we tackle the awesome loop to Devil’s Monument. This crown of white rock can be seen from miles in every direction and is the crown jewel of wilderness riding. We’ll travel along the inside of ridges, up and down crazy and beautiful rock formations, and, again taking in the vistas in every direction. From Devil’s Monument, we’ll complete the loop viewing the monument at its best, stopping at a small lake on the return journey toward camp.
The final day of the summer trip may be the best ride of the trip.
We journey a different route back to new trailhead.  We ride along Bear Canyon and drop from 8000’ to 5000’ in approximately 7 miles. The 3000’ drop covers diverse terrain as we drop in elevation. Once we break out of the high country we’ll ride through juniper and pinion scrub to a set of corrals where we transport guests back. We’ll return to the trailhead by about 5 p.m.

Sample trail description below:

Middle Fork Of The Gila River, NM
Summer Trips…
Our journey begins at the Snow Lake trailhead located approximately 40 miles from Reserve, NM. We collect all the gear and supplies and load up the pack mules. Riders are fitted to horses and given riding instructions.
We ride one of the longest continuous canyons in America – the Middle Fork of the Gila River. It is journey back into the 1800s- the time of Geronimo, legendary trappers, hunters and homesteaders.
The headwaters of the Middle Fork flow from Snow Lake, located at about 8500’ in elevation. This is high mountain meadow country.  Rolling grassy hills are dotted with stands of ponderosa pine; it is not uncommon to see herds of elk grazing on a distant knoll.  From Snow Lake, we follow the trail down to Iron Creek through a lush meadow filled with old cottonwoods. The canyon bottom is wide and we’ll pass the remains of several homesteads as the canyon begins its decent, slowly becoming more narrow and deep.
We take a break at a place called Trodder homestead, about 7 miles from the trailhead.  This is the last meadow we will see for 5 miles. From this point, the canyon will narrow and the canyon walls increase in height to over 1500’.  The Middle Fork has been referred to as the Little Grand Canyon and is perhaps New Mexico’s best kept secret. The scenery changes at every turn and time of day affects the color and feel of the canyon. It is truly breathtaking.
We’ll ride to our base camp located above the confluence of Canyon Creek and the Middle Fork. Canyon creek is a great place for a base camp with a steady, clean source of water, lots of room for tents, and plenty of grazing for the animals. Also known as the birthplace of Geronimo, it is easy to see why Canyon Creek was a favorite Apache site: an endless steady supply of spring water, canyon walls that are accessible to the top country and open meadows with abundant wildlife. Riding Canyon Creek maybe the best day in the Southwest!
Even the ancient Mogollon Indians found Canyon Creek favorable – many old cliff dwellings line the canyon walls. We have a favorite one we hike to too – a well preserved site where questions abound as to how these people lived and thrived, and why they disappeared, leaving no clues as to where they went.
A great meal awaits riders at the end of each day – steaks cooked over an open fire, chicken stir-fry, burritos, and pasta dishes, will all the trimmings. A warm camp fire each evening to cheer our hearts and tell tall stories.
We continue our journey down the Middle Fork passing the most amazing hoodoos imaginable. Caves, outcroppings, and rock formations - it is impossible to take in at one time. The Middle Fork is a special place of majesty, awe and wonder for all visitors. We take a break at the best swimming holes in the Gila – cascading water into deep pools that we can dive into. This is the most impressive display of water and rock formations anywhere in America.  We’ll ride back to camp later that day.
Another ride takes us along a switchback trail up out of the Middle Fork. The views down into the Middle Fork are breathtaking. Once on top, we ride to Prior Cabin, an historic landmark. Still in use by the Forest Service today, it is easy to see why past homesteaders called this place home -- lush grass and flowers abound thanks to an eternal spring of water. We’ll rest and explore this site then ride back to camp following the same trail.
Sometimes we spike camp past the cascading pools and ride about 7 miles down the Middle Fork to the most beautiful hot springs in the Gila. These springs are deep enough and large enough to swim in and guests can enjoy a great soak with the night stars above. We’ll ride back to Canyon Creek the same way.
The return home is back up the Middle Fork to Snow Lake.  The country is so diverse that riding the same route along the Middle Fork is a new journey – the sights and views are entirely different on the way back out of the canyon.  We arrive back to the Snow Lake trailhead at approximately 5 p.m. returning to Glenwood by about 7 p.m.

Our luxury base camp has everything set up and is ready for you to relax after a day of riding. Camp includes tents, cots, hot showers and private toilet facilities. Hot showers at the end of each day's ride are available. Just like home, with a wonderful view.
Some trips will also include some progressive rides with overnights in "spike camps" that will be set up each day (not permanent camps) and therefore have less comforts.

All the creature comforts in the world — a deluxe kitchen with delicious all-you-can-eat Chuck Wagon Style Dutch oven cooking. Enjoy your choice of adult beverages. Plentiful and delicious, our meals are home cooked and can be tailored to your requests and special eating needs. Our campfire chef, Lance, with his special flare for pack trip meals, prepares the meals.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Quarter, Mustang, Draft, Arab
Pace:		Slow - 4-6 hours in the saddle per riding day | Walk | Trot |
Level:		(2 to 3 out of 5)    Novice +
Age:		Min 7
Weight:		Max 225
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 15 riders

Gentle, experienced and sure-footed, our riding horses are members of our family. We have horses to match every type of rider, from beginners and children to the advanced  and adventure-seeking riders. We have Quarter horses, Mustangs, Draft, Arabs and Appaloosas making up the herd!

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.