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Pryor Mountains Cattle Drives
Wyoming
USA
This Montana Working Ranch was built in l898 and has run thousands of head of cattle and been the home of many cowboys who have rode and trained hundreds of foundation bred quarter horses over the years.
As you leave the paved highway and start up the canyon along the rutted road toward the mountain, you actually feel as if you are traveling back in time.
Your hosts of this Pryor Mountains working ranch have been in the cattle business for generations. The ranch lies in a very beautiful, peaceful, and quiet country which is located about 50 miles south of Billings, Montana. It is rolling, native grasslands with areas of pines and canyons, laying along the Eastern slope of the majestic Pryor Mountains which run East and West along the Montana and Wyoming border. Very few people have ever invaded its serene and spacious lands. The cattle are wintered just east of Lovell in Wyoming, where the ranch grows the feed to complete the yearly cow and calf operation. In the spring we trail cows through Bad Pass Trail, through the Pryor Mountain Mustang Reserve down into Deadman and north up the trail to the base ranch in Montana and reverse in the fall.
On the late summer cattle drives we will spend two or three days gathering and trailing to the ranch headquarters all the cows and calves on the ranch. They will come from three different directions and we will gather and hold them in the corrals at the ranch. One day will be working and separating calves from cows so that the calves can be weaned and trucked to Lovell to the feedlot. One day will be trailing cows back to Spring Creek where they will stay until the cattle drives in the late fall take all of the cows to Wyoming.
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Cattle Drive, Round Up
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Meeting:
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Airport or Rimrock Inn
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Airport:
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Billings MT
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Transfer:
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Billings 4PM on Sunday
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
Max
12 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF)
Trip Rating
Video
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Rates and Dates for 2013
Rates include:
Accommodations with the last night at a hotel in Billings, all meals except last night dinner, 5 riding days, taxes
| A | 2013 | 7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse acc + 1 night hotel, 5 riding days | 8d / 7n | $1800 |
| B | 2013 | 7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse acc + 1 night hotel, 5 riding days (Mini Horse Drive) | 8d / 7n | $1800 |
Minimum Deposit:
~$500.00 per person
Transfer and Other Options:
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2013
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Transfer from Billings airport or hotel at 4 pm
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$125
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2013
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Upgrade to cabin with private bathroom (dbl)
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$215
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2013
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Upgrade to cabin with private bathroom (single)
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$150
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2013
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Single supplement, is for last night in hotel only
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$30
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Transfer pickup time is 4:00 p.m. at Billings International Airport or hotel in Billings on Sunday with return the following Saturday afternoon. Then overnight in hotel - dinner extra
Tour Dates for 2013
Check here for details and availability
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| A |
2013
|
05/19
- 05/26
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Expired
|
| B |
2013
|
05/19
- 05/26
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Expired
|
| B |
2013
|
05/26
- 06/02
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
05/26
- 06/02
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/02
- 06/09
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
06/02
- 06/09
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
06/09
- 06/16
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/09
- 06/16
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/23
- 06/30
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8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
06/23
- 06/30
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8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
06/30
- 07/07
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
06/30
- 07/07
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8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
07/07
- 07/14
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
07/07
- 07/14
|
8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
07/14
- 07/21
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8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
07/14
- 07/21
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
07/21
- 07/28
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
07/21
- 07/28
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
07/28
- 08/04
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
07/28
- 08/04
|
8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
08/04
- 08/11
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
08/04
- 08/11
|
8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
08/11
- 08/18
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
08/11
- 08/18
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
08/18
- 08/25
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
08/18
- 08/25
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
08/25
- 09/01
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8d / 7n
|
7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
08/25
- 09/01
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
09/01
- 09/08
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
09/01
- 09/08
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
09/08
- 09/15
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
09/08
- 09/15
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
|
6
/12
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
09/15
- 09/22
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
09/15
- 09/22
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
10/06
- 10/13
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| A |
2013
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10/06
- 10/13
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
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| A |
2013
|
10/13
- 10/20
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
10/13
- 10/20
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| B |
2013
|
10/20
- 10/27
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
| A |
2013
|
10/20
- 10/27
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8d / 7n
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7 days Ranch, AP bunkhouse a...
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6
/12
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Reserve
|
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Rates do not include:
Last night in hotel- dinner not included, gratuities, transfer
SPRING CATTLE DRIVES
Our spring cattle drive season starts in mid-April to early May with three cattle drives On Monday morning we pick up the cattle at a set of corrals across the Shoshone River from our farm ground in Lovell. The first day covers the bad lands just north of Lovell, Wyoming. We go to the Wyoming-Montana Inspection corrals for our overnight stop and for the brand inspector to come and look at all of the brands before we go into Montana.
We will be trailing mother cows and baby calves. This is a 50 mile, four day trek. Bring warm winter clothes as well as lots of layers for the warm and cold temperatures that bless our wonderful state. A list of things to bring is available on the rates page.
Tuesday through Thursday will be trailing these cows and calves all the way to the ranch. We will trail them through Horse Thief canyon, near Devil’s Canyon overlook, by Carolyn Lockhart Ranch and across Deadman’s Creek. Our home range is on the southern edge of the Crow Indian Reservation. Dryhead Ranch is six miles wide and ten miles long encompassing 21,000 acres of mountains, canyons, grassland pastures and breathtaking vistas your camera will not be able to capture. Much of this land is untouched by humans and to imagine back 500 years puts you back hunting buffalo with the Indians.
Friday we will be at the ranch. We will get the cows settled in their new pastures and make sure all the calves have found their mothers ride on the picturesque Dryhead Ranch. Then our guests can relax in the cookhouse or in the great room until our memorable steak supper. We have a 500 year old Buffalo jump about a mile from the Dryhead Ranch yard and it is a wonderful place to visit and look for buffalo bones and take in the history that happened there.
On Saturday it's time to get ready to go back to Billings for the last night at a local hotel.
FALL CATTLE DRIVES
The fall cattle drives are three days. We will be trailing heifers the first week and just mother cows on the second week, as the calves have already been weaned and trucked to the feedlot in Wyoming. Two days of the week we will be gathering our herd and the other three days will be spent trailing them to winter pastures in Wyoming. Weather has a huge influence as to which days we will trail or gather. We will not be camping on the fall cattle drives, we will return to the ranch each night of the drive for a wonderful home cooked meal and a warm dry bed.
Fall is a varied season to ride in Montana. The trail home to Wyoming is full of varied temperatures and varied challenges and rugged awesome beauty. This is what REAL cowboy experiences are made of.
We reserve the right to change our schedule when weather makes it unsafe to ride or cattle make it necessary to change our scheduled plans. We have no control over mother nature or horses and cows which are the purpose of these cattle drives and we want the right to alter our schedule to meet these changes if they should occur.
Come ride with the Cowboys.....
......It will change your life.
We will take pictures of all the happenings during the week. Copies can be purchased at the end of the week- (about $30)- on CD's to share with your friends. After our Steak dinner on Friday night we take some time to look at these pictures and wrap up our great adventure week.
Note: Each trip starts on Sunday afternoon with a pick up in Billings at 4:00 pm and transfer to the ranch. Departure on Saturday (no riding that day) and transfer back to Billings, where you spend the last night at a hotel in Billings (dinner is not included on this day).
Meeting:
Airport or Rimrock Inn
Airport:
Billings MT
Transfer:
Billings 4PM on Sunday
Distance:
2.5 hrs drive
Transfer pickup time is 4:00 p.m. at Billings International Airport or hotel in Billings on Sunday with return the following Saturday afternoon. Then overnight in hotel - dinner extra
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Tack:
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Western
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Horses:
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Quarter horses
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Pace:
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All paces, some long days in the saddle
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Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
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Level:
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(3
out of 5) Intermediate
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Weight:
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Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
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Min
6 riders
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Max
12 riders
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Five riding days!! On the departure Saturday at the Ranch- guests do not ride.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
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. more
As always weather is unpredictable in the mountains. Be prepared for temperatures anywhere from the low 30's F(nights) to the high 70's F(days) during spring and fall. Temperatures sometimes reach the 90s, but the nights are cool, particularly in the mountains. Even in summer months, snow in the higher elevations is common. Wyoming has the second highest average elevation in the United States.
We suggest that you bring clothes that will layer easily. A preference would be long sleeved t-shirts or shirts, vests, heavy jackets, sweatshirts, a cap that would cover your ears, (just in case its cold). Our cowboys all have chinks and wear them on every ride, however you can make that choice after you get here. Also, if our weather remains mild, a cowboy hat with a wide brim is best. You should have gloves, wildrag or scarf, and our horses are used to spurs. Standard equipment for riding are boots with a heel. Tennis shoes or anything similar would be a bad choice. If you have a waterproof slicker, or something heavier, this is the time to bring it. They will really help against wind as well as any weather. You can bring your own saddle if you wish. (perhaps you should check with the airlines as they will probably charge you extra, or you could ship it directly to the ranch). Remember any personal medications.
Linens and Towels are provided at the ranch.
The ranch has a small ranch store, and many of these items are included and are better quality than what you might find at home. Our most popular items are gloves, (2 pair might be a good idea) scarves or wildrags, well made leather chinks, vests and sweatshirts, both long and short sleeved t’s. We have a good selection of cowboy hats, both women’s and men’s. Our selection of slickers are the lighter to medium weight kind, but if you own a heavier one you might want to bring it. We do have heavier sox, and hand warmers if needed. The store also has some great gift ideas for family and friends.
We furnish a pommel bag that fits on the horn of your saddle in which you can store items that you might need to have with you. These pommels will contain a pair of spurs and straps, a scarf and a bottle of water that you can refill at the ranch.
Bring your guitar, if you want, and share our campfire. Brush up on your storytelling and jokes --- getting to know each other is a #1 priority.
Because we are so remote it is impossible to return to town to pick up extra items. If you don't have some of the items mentioned above, we have a small ranch store, which carries most of these items. In addition, if you don't want to purchase the items listed above, we have rental items available for your convenience.
This list is only a guideline for
you...
- Travel documents and Voucher
- Flight tickets
- Passport
- Visa (check with your consulate)
RIDING
GEAR
- Two Pairs of Riding Pants
- Riding Boots
- Riding helmet (recommended for all
trips)- not available to rent, so please bring one if you choose to
wear one.
- Riding gloves
- Sun Hat or Stetson
- Rain Coat, Windbreaker- available to
rent
PERSONAL
CLOTHING
- Warm Sweater and Jacket
- Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts
- Jeans
- Shorts
- Underwear and socks
- Pyjama
- Bag for dirty clothes
- Sneakers
ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING
- Personal Toiletries
- Moisturizing Cream
- Insect protection
- Personal medications
- Sore cream (for an emergency)
- Sewing kit
- Handkerchiefs
- Camera and enough extra film and
batteries
- Belt pack
- Address book and pen (for postcards!)
- Sun glasses with strap
- Sun tan lotion and lip balm
- Flashlight, extra Batteries
- Pocket Knife (not essential)
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
During the time at the ranch you will stay in the bunkhouse, at a room in the ranch house or in one of the cabins. In the bunk house there are six comfortable western style guest rooms and a shared bathroom. The bunkhouse also has an inviting front porch to sit on and enjoy a quiet moment or share cowboy stories with other guests.
The ranch house has 3 rooms with shared bathroom. The small ranch house has a living room for the guests.
The cabins are reset and ready for guests. We have decorated them with old ranch pictures of guests and landscapes as the old blends into new.
During our cattle and horse drives, we might set up an authentic cow camp with a cook tent, chuck wagon, with wonderful campfire meals and teepees to sleep in out under the stars.
We provide sleeping bags, foam pads, and cots, if they want one.
You spend the last night at a hotel in Billings (dinner is not included on this day).
Meals
Our guests eat three meals a day with the family and our cowboys in the cookhouse. Our ranch home-style meals are served with hot homemade breads. Each week we serve tender angus beef steaks, top sirloin roast, healthy vegetables, fresh salads, homemade desserts and lots of chocolate chip cookies for the kid in all of us. We promote beef on our ranch from pasture to plate. One of the meals we are famous for is our Indian Tacos, you can only eat one.
Our cook does a great job dealing with special diets. Please let us know if you have special food needs. Our meals are served buffet-style and several times a week we pack a lunch when we ride out all day to move and work cattle.
Extra Nights in Billings...
We recommend our friends at the Dude Rancher Lodge. This motel is in the medium price range, but is clean and comfortable and serves a continental breakfast each morning in the lobby.
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Tack:
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Western
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Quarter horses
|
|
Pace:
|
|
All paces, some long days in the saddle
|
Walk |
Trot |
Canter |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(3
out of 5) Intermediate
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
220 lbs
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Riders:
|
|
Min
6 riders
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Max
12 riders
|
|
Five riding days!! On the departure Saturday at the Ranch- guests do not ride.
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.
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
Yes |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No/2 |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
N/A |
| Other EU |
Yes |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Pryor Mountains Cattle Drives
Tour Code:
CDWY01
8 days /
7 nights
~$1,800.00
Dates :
May, Sept-Oct
Trip Rating :
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner  | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of
applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting
trots, and short canters. | | C | Intermediate
 | Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces
(including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly. |
| D | Strong Intermediate
 | Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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