Wyoming Horseback Riding

Our camp is nestled along the Sweet Water River among the pines. The sound of the wind through the pines and the Sweetwater River flowing past should give us good dreams in our tents, portending an excellent adventure to come. Our tents are old -time canvas range tepees like those used on cattle round ups in the 1800’s; spacious and tall enough to stand up when you pull your pants on in the morning. A campfire dinner will be served after arriving in camp the first night. Each day after breakfast we will ride out into country that looks the same as it did in the early years of the West. Our vistas are unchanged by time and unspoiled by man. The Oregon Buttes and Wind River Mountains are our landmarks, as they were for Indians 12,000 years ago and the half million pioneers who journeyed West along the Oregon - California Trail during the 1800s. This country is wide-open high prairie with sandy soil under our horse’s hooves. Unlike the steep rocky trails of our Colorado high country, we will be able to trot and canter along the way. There are a number of places we could get to if everybody can really ride and wants to cover some ground. Lunch will be provided on the trail each day. For those who decide to relax in camp during the day, lunch will also be provided.

Polly Bartlett Road Ranch in the middle of nowhere beside the Oregon-California Trail. She was a girl or young woman who had a way with men. According to legend, she murdered a couple dozen before the law began to suspect something was amiss. The posse chased them almost to Jackson Hole before capturing most of her family after a brief shootout. Brought her back to the South Pass City jail, but a vengeful fellow with a shotgun under his slicker poked the barrel through the bars and blew her in half before she came to trial. Both halves are, so the story goes, buried in boot hill above town.

South Pass City now a restored ghost town and Wyoming State Historic Site, is where Cassidy used to entertain the local girls with his dancing skills—the dance hall is now the entrance station to the site. The Exchange Saloon there is where he used to stand in the doorway flipping stolen silver dollars into the street for kids, who called him "Uncle Butch." The saloon was also the site of several gun battles over games of cards that went sour. At least two men were killed there, probably more.

Rustlers’ cabin and stolen horse corral in box canyon. This is quite a ways away from the other sites, but well worth the ride. Neat places that nobody knows about in beautiful scenery along the base of the Wind River Mountains. This area was used by Cassidy and other outlaws to hideout, change brands, fatten stock, etc. while running horses back and forth between Idaho, Wyoming and on into Montana or the Dakotas.

These are a few of the sites we will visit horseback. The lost art of story telling will come alive around the campfire and on the outlaw trail each day. Todd Guenther is a master at recreating the drama of the old west, as we visit ghost towns with their deserted brothels, stage coach and Pony Express stops, saloons, and livery stables along the Outlaw Trail.

Atlantic City, another 1860s ghost town, home of the Mercantile, where you will down a few drinks and have a good dinner, and so did Robert Redford. Cassidy likely did too, in earlier times. We will ride to Atlantic City from our camp the last day. You will have the choice to ride on horseback about 15 miles through nice country to the town or drive your trailers there. The range panel corrals will be moved to the town, for overnight horse accommodations. We will be able to make reservations for rooms with showers, and will have a final farewell party at the old Mercantile Bar on Saturday night, August 13th. We will leave for home on Sunday, August 14th.

HOW THINGS WORK

This horseback trip is for experienced riders only. In order to see the country and places where the real outlaws were, we must cover a lot of ground. Todd Guenther is customizing the outlaw trail ride for us, taking us to places he has been, weaving tales of Old West desperados, bringing to life history of the ghost towns and pony express stations we will visit. If riders become saddle sore or fatigued, they are welcome to stay in camp and relax. There will be no whining allowed on the Outlaw Trail. All riders will be responsible for feeding, saddling & general care of their own horses. However, the Old West Outfitter’s staff will be happy to assist and get everyone on the right track with the camp regime. If you are being provided a horse for this trip, the wranglers will do most of the work, but your assistance will be welcome. Certified hay is required on the outlaw trail. Contact Holly McLain for sources and prices. In or camp, you will either high- line, hobble, or corral horses in range panel approximately 12’ x 12’ portable stalls. These stalls will be available by reservation for a limited number of horses at a cost of $150.00 for the week. This corral cost includes moving them to Atlantic city for the final night’s stay. Please communicate with Holly and Todd about what works for you and your horses.

IN A NUT SHELL

We will arrive at our camp site during the day or early evening, depending where you are departing from. Dinner is available the first night just after dusk around the camp fire. We will ride out each day after breakfast. Some clients may decide to stay in camp, relax, and fish in the Sweet Water River. Wyoming fishing license is required. The last day you may ride or drive to Atlantic City for a room with a bed, shower, and party at the old Mercantile Saloon.

HORSE TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM THE OUTLAW TRAIL

If you have your own horse trailer, we will give you directions to the first night meeting & campsite. If you need your horse transported to Wyoming for this ride, contact Holly McLain @ 970 -923-3244 for arrangements. The round trip trailer fee from Moon Run Ranch to Wyoming’s outlaw trail is $500.00/ horse/each way.

PEOPLE TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM THE OUTLAW TRAIL

If you are renting a horse from Old West Outfitters for the Outlaw Trail trip, you may choose to drive to Wyoming, in which case, directions will be provided. You may choose to fly with private or charter flights to Lander airport, or commercial flights come from Denver to Riverton. Airport pickup can be arranged through Old West Outfitters for a small fee, which will bring you right to camp and your horse.

PRICES & EXTRAS

Outlaw Trail 5 Day Horseback Trip which includes all meals on the Trail, tents set in camps, daily guided rides, and campfire entertainments.$2,000.00

Horse rental for the Outlaw Trail Ride - $750.00

Transportation of horses round trip from Colorado to Wyoming - $500.00/ each way

Dinner and overnight accommodations at the Mercantile the final night will be extra. The Miner’s Delight has five cabins that each sleep two people @ $60 which includes breakfast. They have three rooms upstairs (which I prefer and would recommend to anyone with my tastes) with private baths @ $75 per night which also includes breakfast.

Robert Redford’s classic book "The Outlaw Trail" is out of print, however, Todd Guenther can acquire some good condition used books for $150.00 each. If you have an interest in one please put in your order with Holly when you send in your Outlaw Trail Ride registration.

If you’re flying into Riverton or Lander, Old West Outfitters can pick you up, for a fee. Let Holly know you need this service.

Call Holly with any questions at 970.923.3244.

WHAT TO BRING

FOR THE TRAIL: (I am assuming everyone has their own saddle—if not, we can provide them)

saddle bags, slicker or oilskin, cowboy boots (no spurs on rental horses), chaps, long and short sleeve shirts (one each), sweater or sweatshirt, long underwear (we are at high elevation—8000 feet—so nights and even days can be cold), leather gloves, cowboy hat, light jacket (denim or similar), winter weight coat, good canteen (you must have one to hit the trail in the morning), sunscreen, chapstick, binoculars (?), camera (?) padded bike pants to wear under blue jeans, baby wipes to keep clean and prevent chapping.

FOR CAMP:

comfortable clothes and walking shoes, sleeping bag rated to at least 30F (frost is common at night, even when daytime temperatures are in the 70s or 80s, just as it was for the pioneers a century and a half ago), warm sleeping clothing including a hooded shirt or stocking cap, pillow and sleeping pad (we have foam pads for anyone who wants to use them), towel and wash cloth, skin lotion, insect repellant, personal toiletries, flashlight, propane stove to heat wash water, large cooking pot to heat wash water.

Printable Registration