Canyons & Wild Horses Tour

Introduction
Utah USA
The San Rafael Swell is 2,800 square miles of uninhabited wilderness of the American West where outlaws used to hide from the law and Native Americans made their home.

The Swell is a gigantic bubble in the earth’s crust which has eroded into a maze of deep, multi-hued canyons punctured by the mesas, buttes, and pinnacles typical of the world famous canyonlands geography. Riders will discover intricate trails established by native Americans, herdsmen and outlaws during the day, then hear stories about these trailblazers while relaxing around the campfire at night.
Always a highlight of the trips are views of mustangs or bighorn sheep which occur frequently.

From a deluxe basecamp riders will visit Red Canyon, The Penitentiary, The Chute, Muddy River Gorge, Chimney Canyon Gorge, Head of Sinbad, Courthouse Butte, Family Butte, Golden Gate, Twin Priests, Devil’s Monument, Devil’s Racetrack, Joe and his Dog, Sid’s Mountain, Swasey Arch, Dutchman Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon, Cold Canyon, The Snake Dance pictographs, South Fork pictographs, The Blue Man pictographs, and more.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a wilderness ride where most nights are spent camping.

Description
On this ride we spend the first night in a hotel or Inn in Torrey (you will be notified the selection at the time of booking) and the 3 remaining nights are spent camping at one basecamp.

Accommodation Itinerary
Night 1: Hotel in Torrey
Nights 2-4: Camping

It is possible to ask to book a hotel night for after the tour (extra fee applies).

Camping
All our rides utilize a base camp arrangement with daily forays to different points of interest. This allows us to spend less time packing and unpacking, and more time riding and seeing the country. Basecamps are located in primitive, backcountry areas, which we seldom use more than once or twice each season. Camp elevations are typically situated in higher elevations in mid-summer and lower elevations in spring and fall seasons. 

Sensitive to the fragile environment, we employ low-impact camping techniques, small group sizes and well-maintained equipment. All camping equipment is provided (cots, mattresses, inflatable pads, freshly laundered sleeping bags, blankets, chairs and showers). Guests stay in tents (similar to wall tents, but with floors with adequate standing room) for single or double occupancy.
Our basecamps are supported by four-wheel drive vehicles, bringing what is needed for cooking, eating, a shower tent, luggage, as well as feed for the horses.


Room Occupancy
A single supplement fee applies for single travelers.



Meals
All meals from lunch on day 2 through lunch on day 5 are included. Dinner on the first and last day is not included.

Prepared at camp, a varied menu of fresh foods awaits, including beef from the owners Cattle Ranch.
Some examples of meals served during this trip include: smoked salmon crepes, Street tacos, steak and potatoes, bbq pork sandwiches, pastas, corn on the cob, Dutch Oven cornbread and cobblers,...
Cooks prepare fresh and locally sourced foods and offer grass fed, hormone free beef and pork.

Dietary Restrictions
Our great camp cooks can accommodate to most diets with prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Suitability
While no previous riding experience is required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. And although the minimum age of eight years is required, the important point you should understand is that we do not want to put any participant in a situation which they are physically or emotionally unable to handle. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip. 

You'll ride at a pace that is comfortable for the group, sometimes splitting into two groups, one faster for the hearty rider, and one well-paced but leisurely for those who wish to take time relishing the beauty and wonder of the sights. All riders will then regroup and make a lunch stop together. Following the afternoon ride you will return to camp with plenty of time to clean up and relax before dinner.

Horses
Our remuda consists of ranch raised Quarter Horses with a few Thoroughbreds, Arabians and Mustangs. Most of the horses we've bred and raised ourselves.

Itinerary


IMPORTANT NOTE: The San Rafael Wilderness is not issuing permits for horseback riding trips this year so this program will be replaced by a different one in 2022.

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Note: This is a sample itinerary for two of several camps we may use. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit. 

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
Arrive in scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your accommodation (to be confirmed at the time of reservation). Torrey is located near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park. Meet at 7:00pm for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.
Meals included: none
Overnight at the Hotel

Day 2 (Tuesday): Ride to Basecamp
After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to our headquarters. Here, we'll pack your gear in the 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart around 9 am for our trailhead near Penitentiary Canyon or at the Head of Sinbad.
From the Penitentiary trailhead you'll ride to the mouth of Red Canyon, past Tomsich Butte, by Hondoo Arch, and on to our basecamp at the old mining camp on Muddy Creek.
From the Sinbad Trailhead you'll visit Locomotive Point, Devil's Race Track, Twin Priests and the Golden Gate before arriving at basecamp in Cold Canyon.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Basecamp

Day 3 (Wednesday): Full Day Ride
After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Muddy Creek basecamp you'll visit Red Canyon Narrows, Courthouse & Family Buttes or The Chute and Penitentiary Canyon before returning to camp situated under majestic cottonwoods along the picturesque stream.
From the Cold Canyon basecamp you'll ride thru the Golden Gate to Bullock Canyon and the Blue Man pictograph panel, then on to the South Fork of Coal Wash and the pictograph panel there before returning to the hot showers and cold drinks at the slickrock canyon basecamp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Basecamp

Day 4 (Thursday): Full Day Ride
From the Muddy Creek camp you'll explore the upper reaches of the Muddy Gorge where it meanders through the splendidly colored slickrock of Triassic sandstones. Mustangs are numerous along the stream where they come for water from their pastures in the deep side canyons.
From the Cold Canyon location you'll ride to the Long Neck for views of Swasey Arch, Saddle Horse Canyon and upper Cold Canyon. After lunch, you'll ride up the McCarty Canyon trail to the head of Mesquite Canyon where a promontory point will provide a striking vista encompassing all the country you've covered during your trip.
You will always arrive back at camp with plenty of daylight and time to clean up and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Basecamp

Day 5 (Friday): Back to Torrey
After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you'll ride to McKay Flat via Red Canyon and the Grey Breaks. This route will take us to a favorite watering spring of the wild horses and furnish breath-taking panoramas of the country you've visited on your trip. At trail’s end you'll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride over the San Rafael Swell to Torrey, arriving in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast & Lunch

Rates and Dates for Canyons & Wild Horses Tour

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Torrey
Airport: Salt Lake City Airport (SLC)
Transfer: Salt Lake City or Las Vegas

Climate:
                                                Torrey area