|
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 rims of
magnificent canyons along Ponderosa Pines. Long trots
and canters bring us to Mormon Lake with spectacular
views over the San Francisco Peak. The second week
goes to Marshall Lake and then we transfer to the
other side of Flagstaff to pick up the trail again
over the Schulz Pass to Cedar and Babbitt Ranch to
reach the edge of the Grand Canyon near Moqui
Station. An unforgettable experience.
Rates include overnight in comfortable tent camps,
last night in hotel, all meals,
6 (12) riding days
 RTAZGC-1
Week 1:
Geronimo Trail:
8 days/ 7 nights
07/12-07/19
08/02-08/09
2009 Dates $ 1,550
06/13-06/20
07/11-07/18 08/01-08/08
availability
& reservation
RTAZGC-2
Week 2: Grand
Canyon Trail
8 days/ 7 nights
07/19-07/26 08/09-08/16
2009 Dates $ 1,750
06/20-06/27
07/18-07/25 08/08-08/15
availability
& reservation
RTAZGC
Geronimo
to Grand Canyon
- 2 weeks:
15 days/ 14 nights
2008 Dates $ 2,550
07/12-07/26 08/02-08/16
2009 Dates $ 2,850
06/13-06/27
07/11-07/25 08/01-08/15
availability
& reservation
Meeting: Strawberry
Airport: Phoenix for week 1 (7
PM) and Flagstaff for
week 2 - drop off in Flagstaff for both weeks.
Geronimo Trail: Last night in Flagstaff hotel
Grand Canyon Trail: you will arrive back into
Flagstaff by 12 noon on the last day.
Single if requested:
$200 for 1 week - $300 for 2 weeks
Transfer: included at 7 PM
Tack:
Western, Hackamore
Horses:
Arabians, Quarter Horse mix, Missouri Foxtrotters
Pace : Moderate with some trots and canters, 6-8 hours in the saddle per day
Taxes: included
Gratuities: 10-15% suggested
Level: Good intermediate
Min/Max Riders: 5-10
Notes: you ride about 20 miles per day. Camping ride; overnights in comfortable tent camps with shower, table, chairs.
Itinerary Week 1 -
Mogollon Rim
Day 1 Sat.
Pick up at the airport in Phoenix around 7 PM and
transfer to the Houston Mesa camp (90 minutes). Dinner and gazing at the
wondrous sky ends the day.
Day 2 Sun.
After a hearty cowboy breakfast we’ll select our
horses and ride the Houston Mesa loop for a nice and
leisurely getting acquainted ride . (~15 miles)
Same camp as the night before. This area
consists predominantly of rough desert mountains,
sometimes broken by narrow, vertical-walled canyons.
Day 3 Mon.
We’ll leave Houston Mesa horse camp to the Est Verde
river. On the way we'll visit the ancient Anasazi
village Shoofly and continue on to the Highline
trail which will take us to our camp by Geronimo
trailhead. ( ~ 28 miles) Camp is on seasonal
creek in a beautiful pine covered canyon.
Average elevation of this undulating rim and plateau country is about 7000
feet.
Day 4 Tues.
Today we continue along the scenic Highline trail
from Geronimo trailhead up to the Mogollon Rim.
We'll have lunch at the tunnel and than return to
camp Geronimo.
Incredible view of the southern part of
Arizona. Camp is in a clearing in the middle of tall
Ponderosa Pines and Fir trees.
Day 5 Wed.
We continue along the highline trail to the logging
community of Pine, than we follow the Arizona trail
east into and out of Oak tree Canyon towards the
Mazatzal wilderness area. (~26 miles)
Day 6 Thurs.
Today we'll transfer camp to the overland trail
south of Williams. We'll pass by several stores for
some last minute and souvenir shopping. Short ride
around camp in the afternoon if time permits.
Day 7 Fri.
We’ll ride north on the Overland trail used by
native Americans as well as later on by farmers and
soldiers to cross the rim from the lower desert
regions to the high alpine regions. Aspen, Pine and
Fir trees as well as elk and antelopes will be our
constant companions along the way. We'll camp in a
large meadow along the trail. (~30 miles)
Riders on the one week trip will transfer after
dinner to a hotel in Flagstaff for overnight and
then transfer out to the airport on Saturday morning
with the hotel shuttle.
Day 8 Sat.
For those riders on the 2 week trip -- From our camp
we'll undertake a loop ride overlooking oak tree
canyon which ends in Sedona's red rock area. A short
Endurance run up KA hill will reward us with
incredible views of the neighboring peaks and
valleys. ( ~20 miles)
Itinerary Week 2 Grand Canyon
Day 1 Sat.
Pick up at the airport in Flagstaff around 7 PM and transfer to the camp. Dinner and gazing at the wondrous sky ends the day.
Day 2 Sun.
Today we will continue the ride to and across
the interstate and further into elk country. Camp
will be in a hunters camp along the great western
trail. Lots of trots and canters along the way with
plenty of opportunities to see large herds of Elk
and Antelopes. (~ 28 miles)
Day 3 Mon.
A loop ride along the Beale Wagon route is on the
program of today. (~18 miles)
Day 4
Tues.
On we ride following the Great Western trail north
out of the heavily wooded areas into the cedar
covered hills and endless plains leading to the
Grand Canyon. (~ 30 miles)
Day 5
Wed.
A long ride to Moqui station. The terrain offers
ample chance for long trots and canters again. We’ll
cross the historic Babbitt ranch. (29 mi)
Day 6 Thurs.
From Moqui station we continue along the Arizona
trail to Grand View tower. Along the way we'll have
some stunning views of the north rim of the Grand
Canyon. (16 miles)
Day 7 Fri.
We'll undertake a ride through the wooded areas
along the rim with plenty of chance to view the
abundant wildlife and in the late afternoon you'll
get a chance to visit the Grand Canyon village for
some souvenir shopping and a sunset at the Canyon.
Last night will be spent in a lodge at the Grand
Canyon.
Day 8 Sat.
Departure to Flagstaff after breakfast. |
|
