Bitterroot Dude Ranch
Cattle Drive Vacation

Summer cattle drive at the Ranch.

The Bitterroot cattle graze on the adjacent national forest land from July to October. Guests who ride well enough can help the cowboys with the challenging work of herding the cows into the mountains the first week of July and rounding them up again the last week of September. The cattle are spread out over fifty square miles of high mountains, forests, clearings and river valleys so that riders are often off the beaten path in country where one encounters wild game like elk, deer, moose, and grizzly bear.

During both weeks guests will return to their cabins each night and have breakfast and dinner in the main lodge.  Most days lunches will be along the trail.  All cabins have their own private baths and electric heat.  Riders participate in the routine of a working cowboy gathering scattered herds, driving them to and from summer pasture, and sorting animals. This work is varied and unpredictable but requires long hours in the saddle. Please note that weather, unexpected movements of cattle or Forest Service instruction could change plans.

Guests herd cows across a river.

FALL BITTERROOT ROUNDUP VACATION

September 24 Arrive at Bitterroot Ranch in the afternoon. Meet your fellow riders. Dinner and overnight.
September 25 Start the day with orientation and an evaluation of riders before enjoying a short morning trail ride. In the afternoon guests are encouraged to participate in team sorting in the arena. This helps riders become acquainted with some of the techniques used in cattle drives.
September 26 Today's ride will cover the Castle Rock section of the allotment. Castle Rock will be towering above all day. Far across the valley riders will see the perpetually snowcapped Wind River Mountains forming the Continental Divide. Stop to enjoy a saddle bag lunch. The elevation today will be over 9,000 ft. with riding through forests and open meadows rounding up any strays.
September 27 Take a picnic lunch and go looking for cows in the East Fork Basin area of the national forest above the ranch. They could be anywhere in this area of about 15 square miles. The terrain is comprised of the wide, grass covered valley of the East Fork Basin as well as forests hiding many large and small clearings which must be checked. Riding will be at 8,500 to 10,000 ft. elevation.
September 28 Once again take a picnic lunch. Head up to the East Fork Basin and gather the main herd of about 185 mother cows with their calves and drive them back to the ranch.
September 29 The morning will be spent gathering, loading and shipping cows. In the afternoon ride to the east of the ranch.
September 30 Back ride over the Alkali section looking for any strays missed in the gather.
October 1 Depart after breakfast.

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  Approved by the Certified Horsemanship Association.
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