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1480 East Fork Rd
Dubois, Wyoming 82513
800.545.0019
307.455.3363
Fax: 307.455.2354
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Approved by the Certified Horsemanship Association.
Approved by the
British Horse Society
for riding holidays.
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 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 50 square miles of high mountains, forests, clearings and river valleys so that riders are often off the beaten path in country where encounters with wild game like elk, deer, moose, wolves and grizzly bear are possible.
During both weeks guests will return to their cabins each night and have dinner and breakfast in the main lodge. Most days lunches will be on the trail during the roundup. All cabins have their own 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.
Spring Cattle Drive
The cattle will be herded into the forest on July 3rd. It will be necessary to check up on them and perhaps move them higher into the mountain meadows later on in the week.
Fall Bitterroot Roundup Vacation
Day 1 Arrive at Bitterroot Ranch in the afternoon. Meet your
fellow riders. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2 Start the day with orientation and an evaluation of riders before enjoying a morning trail ride. In the afternoon guests are encouraged to participate in team sorting in the arena. This helps riders to become familiar with some of the techniques used in cattle work.
Day 3 Mount up with a picnic lunch and set off into the national forest in search of cows. 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.
Day 4 Take a picnic lunch and go looking for cows in the East Fork Basin. 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 from 8,500 to 10,000 ft. elevation.
Day 5 Return to the East Fork Basin and gather any stray cows that were missed the day before.
Day 6 Head up to Alkali Basin and spend the day searching for cows that could be hidden in the high mountain meadows or aspen and pine forests of this lovely area.
Day 7 Back ride once again in search of missing cows. We will now be looking for fresh tracks in areas covered earlier in the week.
Day 8 Depart after breakfast or stay on for the morning to help gather, load and ship the cows.
| Meeting Point | Riverton or Jackson |
| Trip Length | 8 days - 7 nights - 6 days riding |
| Vacation Price | $2,100 per person based on double
occupancy.
An 18% Service Charge (covers all taxes, gratuities, and convenience fee) will be added to the total. You may deduct 3% of the Service Charge if you pay by U.S. dollar check or money order. |
| Single Supplement | $300 |
| Transfer Charge | Airport transfers additional, please call for information. |
| Dates | Friday to Friday, September 23 - 30, 2011 |
| Maximum Riders | 18 |
| Riding Per Day | 6 - 7 hours |
| Pace | Mostly Slow, Sometimes Challenging |
| Tack | Mostly Western |
| Horses | Arab, Local Ranch Bred |