Would You Care to Ride 20 Miles a Day, x5?
I just got back from a visit to the Chief Joseph Appaloosa Trail Ride, an annual event (this was the 43rd) that covers a 100-mile segment of the 1,300-mile Nez Perce War Trail. The first installment begins at Wallowa Lake near Joseph, Oregon, and the final one ends in the Bearpaw Mountains of Montana, near the Canadian border. This year's route crosses the Lolo area of the Bitterroot Mountains, which happens to be A) one of the most remote sections of any state in the lower 48, and B) the area that the Lewis and Clark expedition nearly didn't survive over 200 years ago, on its journey to the Pacific. The country remains essentially unchanged since then, still primitive, wild, and beyond easy reach of the outside world.
About 200 riders set out to make this year's trek over some of the most rugged terrain North America has to offer. For some, the ride will be the adventure of a lifetime. Others will wish they'd never decided to undertake it. You really don't know who's tough and resourceful, and who's not, until you put them into this kind of riding/camping environment. This year's participants will ride about 20 miles a day, set up a new campsite each night, then saddle up at dawn the next day and do it all over again--for five days in a row.
While I've been on previous editions of this long-standing trail ride, I didnt' get to go with the riders making this year's trek--just got to visit their assembly camp about a 2.5 hour drive from our ranch. Their anticipation was palpable, and made me wish I got to ride along this year instead of coming back to my regular work week.
Have you ever ridden a horse for 20 miles a day? When and where? Would you have wanted to do it again for four more days?
Just curious as to whether this kind of riding sounds appealing to anyone other than those hardy regulars who undertake it every August while keeping a tradition alive.
posted by Juli Thorson @ 6:54 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Well, I've never ridden 20 miles in a day for five days. Being a big horse lover, I of course THINK it sounds good, but I'm not sure my butt would agree on day five! I did ride a mule halfway down the grand canyon and back. I was pretty saddle sore afterwards, but I would do it again any day!
Got back from Iceland a few weeks ago. Rode 20 miles a day for 6 days----totally awesome. We drove a herd of 60 horses and switched mounts 2 or three times a day. We are going back next year to do it again. Those little horses (Icelandics) can really move!!!
Long extended trail rides/events are right up my alley and I want to eventually do the Cheif Joseph trail ride. I have been on two long wagon train rides, one in 1975: the Bicentennial Wagon Train to celebrate the Nation's bicentennial. I rode my little QH/Appaloosa cross mare from Blaine, WA, down to Oregon and then across Oregon and Idaho to Afton, Wyoming, which took from June 8th to Aug. 25th. I also rode the same mare years later in 1989 on a Centennial Wagon train to celebrate Washington state's 100 year annivesary. That ride started in Tekoa, WA and ended in Olympia, WA and took about six weeks. There were several long stretches of 20 plus miles on each ride. Of course I am much older and stiffer nowadays so riding like that would require getting in shape in advance and LOTS of ibuprofen! But I would do it in a heartbeat, given the opportunity.
I have ridden 20 miles in a day. When I was in high school it was pretty typical that one weekend day each week my dad and I would ride out for 4 to 6 hours or so. We usually rode 1 to 3 hours on the weekdays. I do enjoy a good long trail ride on a fit horse, but I don't think I'd enjoy doing it with so many other people and horses. I prefer solitary or very small group rides. I also think, realistically, I'd want a day or two off from those 20 milers rather than ride five days straight.
I have, though not for many a year--and would happily, even joyfully do so again! What a wonderful thought!
We have ridden the Michigan Trail Riders Shore to Shore Ride & riding every day is absolutely awesome!
My husband and I trail ride mostly in our state parks and state forrests in Ohio. We do ride 18-22 miles in one day. But usually for only 3 days as that is all the trail miles we have in one location. Yes, we have sore butts on the third day. But I would love to do the Cheif Joseph ride. My first love was a Appaloosa and I had him for 25 of his 29 years.
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