Southwest Pack Trips

Introduction
New Mexico USA
"This National Forest is America's undiscovered treasure, offering endless trail riding in some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere." You will explore its breathtaking canyons, creeks and meadows as you navigate the 'Blue Range' or the 'Middle Fork' of the Gila wilderness!

The Gila and the Blue are places of spectacular beauty tucked away in the Southwest corner of New Mexico and into Arizona. Dependent of the season, we will explore one or the other Gila wilderness areas on unforgettable pack trips with our sure footed horses and experienced guides. Ride some of America's most pristine and unique country during the day — then relax and have some fun in our camp during the evening.

The Gila Wilderness Pack Trip
One of the richest and most stunning landscapes in America, the Gila Wilderness is one of  the world's largest and premier wilderness destinations.
The mountains and deep canyons of the Gila are rich with human history, wildlife and adventure. Ancient Indians dating back 1000 years lived along the Middle Fork, leaving behind inspiring and interesting cliff dwellings. The Apaches called the Gila home — and one of our stops is at the birthplace of Geronimo.
The Gila lays claim to the title of America's first and most expansive wilderness region, but this unique distinction does not begin to brush the surface of this powerful country, with the extraordinary diversity, tranquility and enchantment guarded at its heart. Until recently, the Gila National Forest, with its 3.3 million acres of awe-inspiring vistas, peaceful meadows, majestic rivers and deep, carved out canyons was a hidden treasure experienced by rugged trappers of the past and only the hardiest adventurers of today. Riding the Middle Fork is like losing yourself to the beauty of our planet — the inspiration you receive starts the moment we begin our journey to the moment we arrive at the trail head. This natural inspiration will renew and enrich your daily life even after you're back home.

Blue Wilderness Pack Trip
The Blue Wilderness, on the border of Arizona/New Mexico has been a decade long effort of remarkable search and discovery. This little-used and little-known part of America's wild country has been our passion of exploration, with the vast riches in natural beauty as our reward. These historic trails were used by the Spaniards in their quest for gold and silver, along with the Apaches in their travels from Arizona to New Mexico. There are strange and beautiful rock formations — columns of hoodoos, jutting rocks of brilliant white, sculptured rock formations — much like a visit to Utah...or the Moon! Grand, awe-inspiring vistas  . . . so many views in all directions. From Arizona look back and see into the mountains of New Mexico. View the beautiful canyons of the Blue River and endless scenery in the wild, untamed country of eastern Arizona. Large herds of elk, mule deer and bear roam this remarkable country without hesitation. Extreme remoteness . . . one of the greatest benefits of riding in the Blue is the fact of its little-to-no human use. A grand and awesome wilderness experience at its very best!

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We will take you into the remote and wild countryside giving you a genuine lift in life. Experience the endless vistas of untouched country, spectacular canyon riding, deep pools of water and wild life. These pack trips are suited for every type of rider - family groups, beginners and advanced adventure-seeking riders. Each pack trip has the personal touch by our professional guide with 30 years of safe guiding experience. The riding and guides provide you with loads of historical & nature information. Meals are home cooked by the profession campfire chef. All on horses that are loved and well taken care of.

Truly refresh your spirit on a pack trip in Southwest New Mexico's wilderness!

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a pack trip, so most nights are spent camping.

Description
The first night is spent at a hotel nearby (not included). The next 4 night are spent camping at the base camp.

Camping
Our luxury base camp has everything set up and is ready for you to relax after a day of riding. Camp includes tents, cots, and private toilet facilities. Toilet facilities are solid toilet over a pit. Hot solar showers at the end of each day's ride are available in the shower tent. It is best to bring your own sleeping mats and sleeping bags, but some are available to borrow at no additional charge- please request at time of booking.
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.
Please bring your own solar charger should you wish to charge batteries.

Tent Occupancy
Single riders will have a single tent at no added fee.
Triple occupancy is possible in a large tent.



Meals
All meals from lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 5 are included.

All the creature comforts in the world — a deluxe kitchen with delicious all-you-can-eat Chuck Wagon Style Dutch oven cooking. Plentiful and delicious, our meals are home cooked and will leave you asking for seconds!

Wine is included with dinner, but you are also welcome to bring your own for the trip.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

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

Riding


Riding
These rides require guests to be in good health and in good shape. The rides take place in mountain terrain. 

Horses
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 advanced adventure-seeking riders. We have Quarter horses, Mustangs and Appaloosas.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary: Gila Wilderness - subject to changes

This 5-day pack trip goes into a base camp and includes rides along the awesome Middle Fork of the Gila River, a trip up the canyon to an Indian Cliff Dwelling, and some top country to a late 1800’s log cabin. Deer, elk & bear can be seen on this trip. The elevation is around 8000 feet.

Day 0 (Saturday): Pre-trip night
(Option 1) Drive to Glenwood and check into a local B&B or hotel (not included). Dinner and breakfast is not included.
(Option 2) Drive to Glenwood and go to the trailhead. A camp will be set up there and dinner will be provided for no extra fee.

Day 1 (Sunday): Ride to basecamp
We pack our gear into vehicles, have breakfast along the way, driving to the trailhead. Then, we saddle up, pack the mules and ride into camp. The camp is located in a hidden, stunning canyon, the birthplace of Geronimo. Our comfortable camp features wall tents, cots, and everything to make your stay comfortable and warm. Elk and deer are abundant and thriving in the Gila, offering many excellent opportunities to see elk graze right along with our horses in camp, and along our riding journey.
In the evening, we enjoy a delicious Dutch Oven Meal.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp

Day 2 (Monday): Middle Fork Ride
Ride the magnificent Middle Fork of the Gila River. There is no better wilderness experience in the world, than a horseback ride along the Middle Fork. Many water crossings with towering and splendid canyon walls await us. Awe-inspiring at every turn, canyon walls tower over us, with splendid hoodoo columns rising up along every stretch. Continuous water flow offers a cool dip along the way.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp

Day 3 (Tuesday): Historic Cabins Ride
We ride down stream on the Middle Fork, and make a gentle climb out of the canyon to a rest stop for sweeping views of the canyon below.  We continue through changing landscapes to an historic late 1800 hundreds cabin. The horses graze while we eat a healthy lunch. A most splendid experience, wondering about life in the Gila over 1000 years ago. Then, ride back to our base camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp

Day 4 (Wednesday): Indian Cliff Dwelling Ride
Today, we ride upstream from our base camp to an Indian Cliff Dwelling. These Dwellings are in a canyon few people visit. Make a short climb to the Dwelling site and inspect the many Dwellings left behind some 1000 years ago. Ride back to camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp

Day 5 (Thursday): Departure
Pack our gear and ride back across vast scenery to our trailhead. We return to the trailhead around 2- 3pm and then drive 50miles back to Reserve, NM.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch



Sample Itinerary: Blue Wilderness - subject to changes

This 5-day pack trip goes into a base camp and includes rides into red rock country, with 360 degree vistas and stunning landscapes, as well as a visit to a log cabin. We also ride into alpine country, with good vistas and wildlife sightings.
March, April and early May are the best times to book this trip. 6000-8000’  elevations.

Day 0 (Saturday): Pre-trip night
(Option 1) Drive to Glenwood and check into a local B&B or hotel (not included). Dinner and breakfast is not included.
(Option 2) Drive to Glenwood and go to our ranch (complimentary if room is available). Dinner is not included.

Day 1 (Sunday): Ride to basecamp
Meet at the ranch and drive to the New Mexico/Arizona border. We ride into Arizona’s Blue Wilderness area, or otherwise called Blue Primitive Area.  Riding up a narrow and spectacular canyon, our journey ends at a Spanish Mining Symbol, carved into a tree some 400 years ago. Spaniards, at the time, forced Indian slaves to do the mining. Enjoy a grand view of the valley, not many people experience.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #1

Day 2 (Monday): Grand Vistas of Arizona Loop
Ride the incredible Blue Wilderness loop through a slot canyon, then we climb to rolling high country. While riding narrow slot canyons, one can almost touch the canyon walls on each side. Once at the top, we experience grand vistas of Arizona with its rugged mountains terrain. We will visit the ruins of a historic late 1800’s cabin.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #1

Day 3 (Tuesday): Ride to Historic Cabins
Ride to our high country camp, near a fully-intact and different late 1800’s historic cabin. An excellent chance to see elk and deer along the way. Landscapes every changing.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #2

Day 4 (Wednesday): Talc Uprising Ride
One of more diverse loop riding experiences in Arizona. Landscapes and views change constantly as we move from one stunning terrain to another. One of the most unusually stops is called the “Talc Uprising” — white columns of this fine mineral explode over many acres of landscape. Terrain one might find in Utah. The most unusual geological formation.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at basecamp #2

Day 5 (Thursday): Departure
Pack up camp and we journey back to the trailhead by a different route. We climb to one of the highest peaks in the Blue, passing a natural lake. Then we descend, passing through changing landscapes are we drop in elevation. From old-growth alpine terrain to desert-like environments this is the fitting end to Nature’s Hidden Treasures. We return to the trailhead around 2- 3pm and then drive 15miles back to Glenwood.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Southwest Pack Trips

Dates Note: The Blue Wilderness itinerary is temporarily not offered in 2022 due to forest fires in 2021 in the area.

Other Info
Meeting: Glenwood or Santa Fe
Airport: Albuquerque or Santa Fe
Transfer: Santa Fe

Climate:
                                            Glenwood area