Geronimo - Grand Canyon
Arizona USA: (RTAZGC-1)
URL: http://www.hiddentrails.com/tour/az_grand_canyon_trail.aspx
Introduction
Arizona
USA
The rugged country along the Mogollon Rim was once roamed by Geronimo and the site of many a skirmish between the Apaches and the U.S. Army. Today, the Rim running through the Tonto National Forest contains a great area for horsemen that want to traverse steep, rocky and trails. We will take you along this breathtaking countryside and ride all the way to the edge of the Grand Canyon. This is a camping ride with vehicle support starting from the Mazatzal Wilderness "Land of the Deer" (it stretches over 252,500 acres of the Tonto and Coconino National Forests) and along the Mogollon Rim to the Geronimo trailhead. From here we follow the rim and magnificent canyons with Ponderosa Pines to the small logging towns of Pine and Strawberry before going onto the Colorado Plateau toward the Kaibab National Forest on historic cross country trails and tracks, then north through the Babbitt Ranch to reach the edge of the Grand Canyon above Moqui Stage Station. An unforgettable experience. You choose to do either Week One or Week Two, the adventure is up to you!
This is a “Point to Point” ride, so there will be camp moves on most days. You will only be requested to tend to your personal luggage during the move. The guides, wranglers, and camp jacks will see to everything else. We want this to be a fun and memorable experience. Only work you’ll perform will be tending to your trail partner for the ride (grooming and tacking your horse).
The trails and routes selected will give you the most picturesque and interesting ride you can experience and the final reward of seeing the Grand Canyon will make it the most memorable.
Accomodation
You will sleep in roomy three season dome tents with cots ( 3 person tents for 2 riders). You should bring your own warm sleeping bag and if you prefer a mat to lay on top of the cot. We provide pillows and have some spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights).
There is a hot shower set up in one of the horse trailers - you can take a short shower every day -- either in the afternoon after the ride or in the morning. Keep in mind -- there is one shower for everyone, so keep them short. It is quite a luxury out in the desert. In the morning hot water is available for freshening up from a large pot and wash basins. Although there will always be water available, please remember that it is a precious commodity out here so conservation is the key word..
Wholesome tasty meals (not gourmet) are prepared by the cook. There is a variety of menus throughout the trail. Beef, pork, or chicken, fresh vegetables, potatoes or rice, bread or rolls and some Southwest meals for dinner are served family style around a table. Breakfast menus consist of eggs, pancakes, French toast, biscuits, potatoes, and gravy, bacon or sausage, juice and a lot of coffee, tea and cocoa.
Drinking water and water bottles are provided; flavored drink mix (ice tea and fruit punch) and electrolyte supplements are also provided and you are encouraged to use them here in this southwest heat. Portable chemical toilets are provided in camp but while on the trail the bushes and trees will serve your needs. Other beverages are not included on this trip but can be brought from town “at cost” when the cook goes in for supplies.
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
Riding
Riding Level:
First few days very rocky, slow moving, scenic desert environment, long days though and lots of mountain trails, some difficult terrain requires good balance. Then lots of long trots & canters & long days. Relatively flat, Cedar and later Pine and fir tree forests. some long days. Williams/Flagstaff area.
We do require riding experience. You should be able to walk, trot and canter and should be in good physical condition able to ride 6-8 hours per day for most of our trails. We do take breaks every hour to stretch our legs, but the pace can be quite challenging with long stretches of trotting and cantering where the terrain allows. However, we do adjust to everyone's riding ability to make it enjoyable for riders and the horses as well.
Horses range from Appaloosas, to Arabians, Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Tennessee Walkers and Missouri Foxtrotters. The tack is Western with comfortable cordura saddles. Cantle bags, saddlebags and canteens will be provided. You will choose your mount in the beginning of the trail, which will be yours for the rest of your time with us. You will be expected to groom and saddle your horse ( of course we'll help you and make sure everything is how it should be) as this is part of forming a bond between you and your 'partner' . Otherwise all you have to do is to enjoy the ride and we'll do the rest. We strictly center around horses and riding and since our horses are as important to us as our guests. Please take your riding ability and physical condition in consideration when choosing a trail.
for 2011:
Week One:
First few days very rocky, slow moving, scenic desert environment, long days though and lots of mountain trails, some difficult terrain requires good balance. Payson area.
Week Two:
Lots of long trots & canters & long days. Relatively flat, Cedar and later Pine and fir tree forests. some long days. Williams/Flagstaff area.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Phoenix for a 7 PM transfer to camp for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: We’ll select our horses and ride around Perkinsville on a nice loop ride where you will get acquainted with your horse (~15 miles).
Day 3: We ride along the Overland trail towards Flagstaff until we reach our new camp by KA Hill.
Day 4: Today we enjoy a nice long loop ride along the Sycamore Canyon Trail - back to KA Hill.
Day 5: We cross the historic Route 66 on our way to the camp by Laws Natural Tank - on the western slope of the Mogoyon Range.
Day 6: We’ll follow the Great Western Trail north to an old cow camp of the Babbitt ranch.
Day 7: A long ride to Moqui Stage
Station, a historic Stage coach stop from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon
in the 1800s. The terrain offers ample chance for long trots and
canters again. We’ll cross the historic Babbitt ranch (29 mi).
Day 8: From Moqui Stage Station we
continue along the Arizona trail to Grand View lookout tower. Along the way
we’ll have some stunning views of the north rim of the Grand Canyon (16
miles).
Day 9: We’ll undertake a ride through the wooded areas along the rim to Hulls Cabin with plenty of chance to view the abundant wildlife and in the afternoon you’ll get a chance to visit the Grand Canyon village for some souvenir shopping and a sunset at the Canyon. After a farewell dinner at the camp you’ll spend your last night at the Williams Mountain Resort in Grand Canyon Village.
Day 10: Your adventure ends with departure to Flagstaff after a “continental” breakfast at the Lodge - arriving around noon.
Subject to changes
Rates and Dates for Geronimo - Grand Canyon
Rates include:
Tent accommodations with last night in hotel at Grand Canyon, all meals, 8 riding days
Transfer and Other Options:
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2012
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Transfer from Phoenix at 7 pm included - drop off Flagstaff around noon
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Dates Note:
Rates do not include:
Sleeping bag - rental is not available.
Other Info
Meeting: Phoenix for Week 1
Drop off Flagstafff
Airport: Phoenix - drop off Flagstaff
Transfer: Pick up Phoenix 7 PM. Drop off Flagstaff 12 noon
Wk 2: Pick up Flagstaff 7 PM, drop off Flagstaff.
Climate:
TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES – Arizona covers 113,909 square miles, with about 350 square miles of water surface. The state has three main topographical areas: (1) a high plateau averaging between 5,000 and 7,000 feet in elevation in the northeast; (2) a mountainous region oriented southeast to northwest with maximum elevations between 9,000 and 12,000 feet about mean sea level; and (3) low mountain ranges and desert valleys in the southwestern portion of the state. From the White Mountain area across the Mogollon Rim to the San Francisco Peaks lies an unbroken stand of Ponderosa Pine. The Kaibab Plateau north of the Grand Canyon continues this timbered strip into southern Utah. The highest point in the state is Humphreys Peak, located northwest of Flagstaff, with an elevation of 12,611 feet. Baldy Peak, in the White Mountains of eastern Arizona, is the second highest in the state with an elevation of 11,490 feet. The desert valleys of southwestern Arizona are an extension of the Sonora Desert of Mexico, with elevations as low as about 100 feet above sea level in the Lower Colorado River Valley.
The higher elevations of the state, running diagonally from the southeast to the northwest, average between 25 and 30 inches of precipitation (rain plus melted snow) annually, while the desert southwest averages as low as three or four inches per year. The plateau country in the northeastern corner of the state receives approximately 10 inches of precipitation annually. Since vegetation in this area consists of sagebrush and native grasses, it is used primarily for grazing. Higher ridges here are covered with junipers and pinion trees.
Nearly the entire state is in the Colorado River drainage basin which empties into the Gulf of California. The world famous Grand Canyon lies within the state, extending southwestward some 217 miles from the junction of the Little Colorado with the main stream. The Grand Canyon varies in width from 4 to 18 miles, and depths from the rim to the river bed range from 2,700 to as much as 5,700 feet. This is an outstanding example of arid or semiarid land erosion by a major river whose source is in a more rainy area.
TEMPERATURE – Cold air masses from Canada sometimes penetrate into the state, bringing temperatures well below zero in the high plateau and mountainous regions of central and northern Arizona. The lowest readings can dip to 35 degrees F below zero. High temperatures are common throughout the summer months at the lower elevations. Temperatures over 125 degrees F have been observed in the desert area. Great extremes occur between day and night temperatures throughout Arizona. The daily range between maximum and minimum temperatures sometimes runs as much as 50 to 60 degrees F during the drier portions of the year. During winter months, daytime temperatures may average 70 degrees F, with night temperatures often falling to freezing of slightly below in the lower desert valleys. In the summer the pine-clad forests in the central part of the state may have afternoon temperatures of 80 degrees F, while night temperatures drop to 35 or 40 degrees F.
What To Bring: On these camping rides we provide
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all camping gear (except sleeping bags). You must bring your own sleeping bag, pillow as we don't have these for rent.
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hot showers in camp
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all meals (hearty cowboy breakfast, saddle bag lunches and a variety of dinner menus). Please let us know of any special dietary requests at the time of booking.
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all beverages (non-alcoholic, alcoholic beverages available at self cost)
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horses and tack (including canteens and saddlebags)
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friendly, knowledgeable staff (all guides are First Aid certified)
| This list is only a guideline for you |
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| Travel documents and Voucher |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
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| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs (used if possible!) |
| Cowboy boots or other suitable riding boots |
| Full or half chaps suggested but not necessary |
| Riding gloves |
| Riding Helmet is recommended. Or Cowboy Hat (with chin strap) for sun protection |
| Lightweight Rain coat |
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| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| A warm coat or jacket liner for colder nights at the higher elevations is strongly recommended. |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjama |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
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| For Camping trips: |
| Sleeping Bag |
| Flashlight |
| Pillow |
| Towel and small bar of soap |
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| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Handkerchiefs |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun tan lotion and lip balm |
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