General Info

Horseback Riding Utah in Capitol Reef, the San Rafael Swell or Escalante Canyons 

This outfitter has been exploring Utah on horseback for over 30 years. She takes riders on multi-day camping and inn to inn rides through some of Utah’s most stunning national parks and areas for viewing wildlife and wild horses--- like Capital Reef National Park, a land roamed and settled by ancient native Americans, Mormon pioneers and famous outlaws like Butch Cassidy.

The trail trips focus on scenic and distinctive land formations in the middle section of the Colorado Plateau, the last explored region of the continental United States, bound by the south side of the Grand Canyon. A Navajo Indian legend describes the area as, “the land of the sleeping rainbow”. To trail ride this terrain and take in the panoramas of the “sleeping rainbows” breaking from the lush alpine plateaus looming high above is indisputably the opportunity of a lifetime.

Sensitive to the fragile environment, this outfitter implements low-impact camping techniques, small group sizes, well-maintained equipment, and top-notch horses. You will have access to rugged and scenic landscapes of immense scale, with an unencumbered and comfortable ambiance where you can relax, refresh, and rejuvenate prior to your next day’s adventure. As an owner operated facility, guests receive personal attention and service while exploring the backcountry of the Colorado Plateau.

Riders may choose from to camp out at a deluxe basecamp or stay in comfort at night on an inn-to-inn adventure. This outfitter strives to give experienced riders all the pace and challenge they desire, and to give inexperienced riders all the instruction and patience they need. Time and logistics permitting, she often divides into two groups riding to separate destinations or scenic features. Non-riding companions are welcome on all trips.

Awards & Accolades
Featured in Equitrekking Utah, part of Equitrekking’s Emmy award winning third season on Public Television.

These backcountry adventures have been featured in many prestigious publications including the New York Times, National Geographic Explorer, Sunset Magazine, Time magazine, and Western Horseman. Observers have lauded their guide service for its educational value, and the experience and professionalism of their crews.

Affiliated with Utah Guides and Outfitters and America Outdoors. They received the Guide of the year from Outdoor Utah Award and 2010 True West magazine Best of the West for “Best Horse Trail Ride Out West.”
 

Packing

Packing Tips for Horseback Riding Utah

Please see Equitrekking Travel’s general packing list and Hondoo’s suggestions below.

Suggestions
Pack as lightly as possible
Layers of clothing for warmth
A wide brimmed hat with a string
Heeled riding boots
Riding gloves
Long underwear
Long sleeved shirts and pants
A sweater
Medium and heavy weight jackets
Bandanas
Rubber overshoes (optional for spring & fall mud)
Camp shoes (tennis shoes or light hiking boots are good)
A quality rain coat 
Personal articles you should pack include a towel, riding helmet (optional item except for riders under l8 years of age although all riders are encouraged to wear helmets), chaps and swim wear (optional), a camera and plenty of film with a padded travel case, a flashlight, extra batteries, dark glasses, sun screen, and insect repellent (Avon's Skin-So-Soft is the only thing that repels the small gnats Pat sometimes encounters).

This outfitter provides sleeping bags, saddle bags, a day pack, helmets (some sizes are available).
 

About the Horses

Quarter horses, Quarter/Thoroughbred crosses, and some Mustangs make up most of the stock that has spent their entire life on the ranch/farm. The owner writes, “The horses eat before anyone else and although they are loved as pets, the horses are working stock and they know their jobs.”

Activities/Events

Area Activities
There are four national parks in the area, museums, and a highway designated as one of the top 10 scenic highways in the U.S. 

Variety in terrain is the primary attraction to the area, along with ideal temperatures throughout the season. Fly-fishing, hiking and rafting are area favorites.
 

Accommodations/Food

Accommodations
For the trips that feature camping, guests sleep in tents at primitive sites that are supported by four-wheel drive vehicles. The camp wagons brings what is needed for cooking, eating, a shower tent, chairs and commode, as well as feed for the horses.  Guests stay in small tents for single or double occupancy. A base camp is the setting for most rides. Sleeping bags and a six-inch foam sleeping pad or cot are provided, along with water bottles and quality tack. The first night guests stay in Torrey. For the Capital Reef Trail, guests stay at small Bed & Breakfasts or lodges. Boulder View Inn is one example. Its modern facilities include in-room phones with free local calls, free high speed Internet, and television.

Food
The menus consist of fresh food featuring organically raised beef. Appetizers, salads, and a starch make vegetarian meals easy to accommodate. Vegan diets are more of a challenge, but gluten sensitivities can be worked out with prior notification. Meals are included in the price, starting with lunch on the 2nd day through lunch on the departure day.

Drinks
Beer and wine are accepted and welcome but not provided.  With advance notice, wine or spirits for guests can be delivered. You may purchase beer and wine with meals in Utah. A corkage fee at restaurants is applied if you bring spirits purchased in Utah.  No out of state liquor is allowed in restaurants.
 

The Ideal Traveler

While no previous experience is required, participants should be in good health and physical condition. These horse vacations are designed for horse loves. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip.

Capitol Reef Horse Riding

To stand on the breaks of Thousand Lakes Mountain or Boulder Mountain and take in the panorama of Capitol Reef and beyond, is indisputably an opportunity of a lifetime. Experience Cathedral Valley, Paradise, Hell's Hole, The Golden Throne, Pleasant Creek Gorge, Deep Creek Gorge, Tantalus Canyon, and more. Experience lower elevations through the 1st week in June. In July and August you will climb to over 9000 feet.

Dates & Rates 2013:
$1546* Price per person double occupancy
$1598* Price per person single occupancy
10% discount for groups, couples or multi-ride bookings.

5 days/ 4 Nights
May 12 Wildflowers & Springtime in the Slickrock country
May 29 Petroglyphs and Pictographs on Pleasant Creek Gorge
June 6 Cathedral Valley and 1000 Lakes Mountain
July 12 Glacial Lakes and Canyonlands Views
Aug 19 Explore the breaks above northern Capitol Reef National Park
Sept 11 Explore the breaks above southern Capitol Reef National Park

* price includes first night lodging in Torrey, Utah followed by nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day five; ground transportation from Torrey to trailhead and return; canvas tents for cooking, dining, showering and sleeping (single, double or family occupancy); sleeping bag and cot or six inch foam pads; camp chairs; waterproof gear bags; water bottles; saddle bags and tack; seasoned mountain horses; guides, cook, camp-jack, wranglers, guitarist and interpretative specialist well versed in both social and natural history. Guide gratuities and alcohol are not included. 

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate riders

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.

Riding Vacation Information
Capitol Reef is a landscape where layered sediments have been deposited over three hundred million years. Eons of water and wind have carved the jagged, multi colored spectacle you see today. It is little wonder the Ute Indians called Capitol Reef and environs, "Land of the Sleeping Rainbow.” A deluxe base camp will serve as your home for daily forays deeper into the wilderness. Exploring a new trail each day, you'll visit ancient petroglyphs, slickrock mountains, slotcanyons, rock arches, buttes, and spires. 

Sample Horse Vacation Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into either the Boulderview Inn or Chuckwagon Inn–lodging will be specified with confirmation of ride reservation. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.

The Boulderview Inn is located on highway 24 at the west end of Torrey. The Chuckwagon is located downtown, one block west of our headquarters. At 8:00pm meet at the Boulderview Inn’s lobby or pool side at the Chuckwagon Inn for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip’s interpretative specialist.

Day 2
After breakfast, you’ll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo’s headquarters. Transfers will be provided as needed. Hondoo’s headquarters are located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. At Hondoo’s office and gift shop, we’ll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9:00am) for our trailhead.

The 25 mile drive through the Reef whets your appetite for riding through the seemingly impassible slickrock canyons. From the trailhead you’ll ride past a 4th generation farm along Pleasant Creek, through a labyrinth of variously colored cliffs and canyons, past the Pioneer register, and the old corrals and buildings that are all that’s left of the Sleeping Rainbow Ranch. Ponderosa pines, Navajo sandstone domes and a frosty drink welcome you at the basecamp.

Day 3
You awaken to the sound of the Pleasant Creek waterfalls and the aroma of breakfast cooking. After preparing lunch, you’ll start along the sheep trail to the head of Tantalus Creek crossing the bare slickrock, gaining elevation throughout the morning. Lower Bowns Reservoir provides a welcome rest before resuming your discovery of prehistoric sites while returning home to a hot shower and cold drinks.

Day 4
With a hearty breakfast under your belts and an early start, you’ll gradually leave Pleasant Creek, pass through Tantalus Flats and over the divide into Sheets Gulch, traipsing where prospectors from the 50′s hoped the needles on their Geiger counters would signal a lucky strike. Once we make our way into the gulch, we’ll be rewarded by the shady cottonwoods and monkey flowers. The route back will allow us to relish the backlit pink and purple hues on the Chinle and Navajo cliffs. A welcomed meal and relaxation around the evening campfire round out the day.

Day 5
Departure day. After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you will ride the length of the Sulfur Creek to the Slickrock trail. Rendezvousing with our vehicles at Grover, you’ll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a short vehicle ride along highway 12 . You’ll arrive Torrey late afternoon. 

*This is a flexible sample itinerary for two of several camps you may use and is subject to change if it is in the best interest of the riders and horses due to weather, group size, or any other necessary reasons. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.
 

Escalante Canyons Horse Riding

The Grand Staircase/Escalante Canyons National Monument is Utah's largest tract of unspoiled wilderness.  A deluxe base camp serves as your home for daily forays deeper into the wilderness. Exploring a new trail each day, you may visit ancient petroglyphs, slot-canyons, rock arches, buttes and spires. Experience Circle Cliffs, Indian Gulch, The Stairs, Lamanite Natural Bridge, The Lampstand, The Moodys, Deer Point Overlook, The Purple Hills, Silver Falls Canyon, Little Death Hollow, Wolverine Petrified Forest, and more.

Dates & Rates 2013:
$1546* Price per person double occupancy
$1598* Price per person single occupancy
10% discount for groups, couples or multi-ride bookings.

5 days/ 4 nights 
May 20 Spring Wildflowers & Slickrock Mountains
 June 14 Springtime in the upper-Escalante Canyons
 June 22 Upper-Escalante with Views into Arizona & Wildlife (high elevation)
 Aug 10 Headwaters of the Escalante River (high elevation)
 Sept 19 Fall Foliage and Redrock Canyons

* price includes first night lodging in Torrey, Utah followed by nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day five; ground transportation from Torrey to trailhead and return; canvas tents for cooking, dining, showering and sleeping (single, double or family occupancy); sleeping bag and cot or six inch foam pads; camp chairs; waterproof gear bags; water bottles; saddle bags and tack; seasoned mountain horses; guides, cook, camp-jack, wranglers, guitarist and interpretative specialist well versed in both social and natural history. Guide gratuities and alcohol are not included.

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate riders

Riding Vacation Information
Over the eons, the Escalante Canyons have been sculpted by wind and water into a maze of gigantic proportions. This is a landscape of slickrock punctured by deep, narrow canyons. The landscape here is so rugged and remote that the tiny village of Boulder, Utah, which lies within its midst, could not be reached by automobile until 1938. The Escalante River was the last named and explored drainage in the continental United States.

June through August’s rides explore the plateau tops and canyons where Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument make their dramatic break towards the Colorado River.

Sample Horse Vacation Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your specified motel–either the Boulderview Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn–lodging will be specified with confirmation of reservation. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.

The Boulderview Inn is located on highway 24 at the west end of Torrey. The Chuckwagon Inn is located downtown one block west of Hondoo’s headquarters. At 8:00pm meet at the Boulderview Inn’s lobby or pool side at the Chuckwagon for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip’s interpretative specialist.

Day 2
After breakfast, you’ll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo’s headquarters. Hondoo’s headquarters are located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. At Hondoo’s office and gift shop, we’ll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9:00am) for our trailhead at Roundup Flat or Circle Cliffs.
The 30 mile drive over Boulder Mountain on highway 12 travels along a stretch of road which AAA of California has rated among the top ten scenic drives in America.

From the Roundup Flat trailhead you’ll ride past the Steep Creek Lakes and the Windmill into Indian Gulch via The Stairs before arriving at the Gulch basecamp. From the Circle Cliffs trailhead with it’s panoramic view of the Grand Staircase and Escalante Canyons, you’ll leave Studhorse Peak and Wagon Box Mesa behind as you ride to basecamp at Moody Canyon or nearby Silver Falls Canyon.

Day 3
After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Gulch basecamp you’ll visit Lamanite Natural Bridge, Water Canyon and Egg Canyon before returning home to a hot shower and cold drinks. From the Moody/Silver Falls basecamp, you’ll ride over the Purple Hills to explore the labyrinth of canyons which comprise the Moody Canyon complex.

Day 4
From the Gulch camp you’ll explore the upper reaches of Indian Gulch where it emerges from Edmund’s Hole under the Windmill or Impossible Peak. Or, after a hearty breakfast, you will ride to Deer Point, the Capitol Reef Divide and the Waterpocket Fold Overlook before returning to relax around the evening fire.

Day 5
Departure day. After packing personal gear and breaking camp, you will ride the length of the Gulch to where it joins Steep Creek and Long Canyon. At Long Canyon you’ll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride along the Burr Trail road to highway 12 and beyond. You’ll arrive Torrey late afternoon. From the Moody/Silver Falls camp you’ll take in Wolverine Petrified Forest and Little Death Hollow before rendezvousing with our vehicles along the Burr Trail road for return to Torrey late afternoon. 

*Note:  This is a flexible sample itinerary for two of several camps you may use and is subject to change if it is in the best interest of the riders and horses due to weather, group size, or any other necessary reasons. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.
 

High Plateaus Horse Riding

The Colorado Plateau was the last explored region of the continental United States. This trail ride explores the plateau tops and canyons where the San Rafael Swell, Capitol Reef National Park and Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monuments make their dramatic break towards the Colorado River.

Dates & Rates 2013:
$1546* Price per person double occupancy
$1598* Price per person single occupancy
10% discount for groups, couples or multi-ride bookings.

5 days/ 4 nights
June 22 Wildflowers & Wildlife/Elk on the Wasatch Plateau
July 2 The Great Western Trail (Canada to Mexico) over 1000 Lakes Mt
July 11 Alpine Ecosystem & Views of Redrock Canyons and Slickrock Mountains
July 21 Buffalo & Views of Canyonlands from the Henry Mountains
Aug 1 Alpine Lakes of Boulder Mt. with Canyonlands Views & Wildlife/Elk
Aug 10 Headwaters of the Escalante River
Sept 26 Fall Foliage from either Boulder Mt. or Thousand Lakes Mt.
Oct 3 Fall Foliage on Boulder Mountain

* price includes first night lodging in Torrey, Utah followed by nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day five; ground transportation from Torrey to trailhead and return; canvas tents for cooking, dining, showering and sleeping (single, double or family occupancy); sleeping bag and cot or six inch foam pads; camp chairs; waterproof gear bags; water bottles; saddle bags and tack; seasoned mountain horses; guides, cook, camp-jack, wranglers, guitarist and interpretative specialist well versed in both social and natural history. Guide gratuities and alcohol are not included. Rates subject to credit card processing fee.

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate riders

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

Riding Vacation Information
From a deluxe base camp you'll take daily rides deep into this alpine wilderness. Always a favorite feature of this ride are the lakes, wildflowers, elk, deer, and other wildlife, as well as the spectacular vistas of the 4-Corners region where ten or more National Parks and Monuments may be seen in a single panorama. To overlook the canyon lands from Utah's High Plateaus is a remarkable experience. When summer's heat in the slickrock country becomes oppressive, the lure of glacial lakes and lush meadows beckon both horse and rider. 

Sample Horse Vacation Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into either the Boulderview Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn–lodging will be specified with confirmation of ride reservation. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.

The Boulderview Inn is located on highway 24 at the west end of Torrey. The Chuckwagon Inn is located downtown one block west of Hondoo’s office. At 8:00pm meet at the Boulderview Inn’s lobby or pool side at the Chuckwagon for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip’s interpretative specialist.

Day 2
After breakfast, you’ll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo’s headquarters. Hondoo’s headquarters are located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. At Hondoo’s office and gift shop, we’ll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9:00am) for the Slickrock Trail ten miles southeast of Torrey, or the Great Western Trail two miles north of Torrey.

The Slickrock Trail leads to Happy Valley, Golden Throne overlook, Wildcat Gorge then to your basecamp on Pleasant Creek. The Great Western Trail will take you up Sand Creek to the Velvet Ridge, then to Hells Hole, Sand Creek Falls and your camp at Wiff’s Pasture.

Day 3
After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Pleasant Creek basecamp you’ll ride to Meeks Lake, Pleasant Creek meadows and the Boulder Top at Behunin Point before returning to a hot shower and cold drinks. From the Wiff’s Pasture camp you’ll ride to Snow Lake and the Flat Top on Thousand Lakes Mountain where the views of the canyonlands are indescribable. As always, you’ll return to camp in time to relax and enjoy hors d’oeuvres before dinner.

Day 4
Daylight at the Pleasant Creek camp brings the prospect of visiting Scout Lake, Long Lake and spectacular Bowns Point via the Elderberry Trail. From the Wiff’s Pasture camp you’ll wind your way into Paradise in Capitol Reef National Park. Riders at the Wiff’s Pasture camp will spend their final full day on the Saddle Pass Trail with it’s stunning views of Hell’s Hole, Sand Creek Gorge and the Fremont River Valley.

Day 5
Departure day. After packing personal gear and breaking camp, Pleasant Creek campers will use a different access back to the Slickrock Trail and return among the multi-hued Navajo sandstone domes littered with volcanic boulders where you’ll exchange your saddle seat for the short drive back to headquarters. From the Wiff’s camp you’ll take the Sulfur Basin trail to Torrey Knoll and the Bingo and Torrey town overlooks. After a short drive you’ll arrive Torrey late afternoon.

 

*Note:  This is a flexible sample itinerary for two of several camps you may use and is subject to change if it is in the best interest of the riders and horses due to weather, group size, or any other necessary reasons. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.

San Rafael Swell on Horseback

San-Rafael’s low elevation canyon trail has guests riding in search of wild horses. From a deluxe base camp 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.

Dates & Rates 2013:
$1546* Price per person double occupancy
$1598* Price per person single occupancy
10% discount for groups, couples or multi-ride bookings.

5 days/ 4 nights
April 21 Wildflowers & Wildlife/Wild Horses in the Hondoo Country
April 28 Wildflowers & Wildlife/Wild Horses on Muddy River Gorge
May 4 Wildlife/Desert Bighorn Sheep in Sid’s Mtn. Wilderness
Aug 27 Rockart & Slickrock Mountains of Sid’s Mtn. Wilderness
Sept 3 Wildlife/Desert Bighorn Sheep in the Canyonlands
Oct 12 Fall Foliage & Wildlife/Wild Horses on Muddy River Gorge
Oct 21 Fall Foliage & Wildlife/Wild Horses on Muddy River Gorge

*price includes first night lodging in Torrey, Utah followed by nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day five; ground transportation from Torrey to trailhead and return; canvas tents for cooking, dining, showering and sleeping (single, double or family occupancy); sleeping bag and cot or six inch foam pads; camp chairs; waterproof gear bags; water bottles; saddle bags and tack; seasoned mountain horses; guides, cook, camp-jack, wranglers, guitarist and interpretative specialist well versed in both social and natural history. Guide gratuities and alcohol are not included. 

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate ride

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

Riding Vacation Information
The San Rafael Swell is 2,800 square miles of uninhabited wilderness--nearly two times the size of Rhode Island without a single human resident. 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 explore intricate trails established by Native Americans, herdsmen and outlaws during the day, then hear stories about these trailblazers while relaxing around the camp fire at night. Always a high point of the trip is viewing the wild mustang or bighorn sheep, which are seen daily, with rare exception.

Sample Horse Vacation ItineraryDay 1
Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into either the Boulderview Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn–lodging will be specified with confirmation of ride reservation. Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.

The Boulderview Inn is located on highway 24 at the west end of Torrey. The Chuckwagon Inn is located downtown one block west of Hondoo’s office. At 8:00pm meet at either the Boulderview Inn’s lobby or pool side at the Chuckwagon Inn for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip’s interpretative specialist.

Day 2
After breakfast, you’ll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo’s headquarters. Transfers will be provided as needed. Hondoo’s headquarters are located on highway 24 in the middle of downtown Torrey. At Hondoo’s office and gift shop, we’ll pack your gear in the camp 4X4, meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart (9:00am) 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, then to Tomsich Butte, then to Hondoo Arch, and then 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. Note: most days of the trailride, you should see mustangs or desert bighorn sheep.

Day 3
After breakfast and preparing lunch, from the Muddy Creek basecamp you’ll visit Red Canyon Narrows, Courthouseand 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.

Day 4
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.

Day 5
Departure day. 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 the Mc Kay Flat or the Snake Dance panel you’ll exchange your saddle seat for the cushioned comfort of a vehicle ride over the San Rafael Swell to Torrey, Utah. You’ll arrive Torrey late afternoon. 

*Note:  This is a flexible sample itinerary for two of several camps you may use and is subject to change if it is in the best interest of the riders and horses due to weather, group size, or any other necessary reasons. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.
 

Capitol Reef / Escalante Inn to Inn

This Inn to Inn equestrian vacation is designed to spend the first three nights in (or near) Torrey, Utah and the last three nights in Boulder, Utah. From two elegant inns, daily trail riding destinations will vary according to the season of the year and the trail selected. 

Dates & Rates 2013:
$2283* Price per person double occupancy
$2594* Price per person single occupancy
10% discount for groups, couples or multi-ride bookings.

7 days / 6 Nights
May 12 Capitol Reef National Park: Springtime in the Slickrock country
May 29 Ride Capitol Reef & Escalante Canyons at peak of wildflower season.
June 14 Escalante Canyons: Explore redrock canyons of the National Monument
July 11 High Plateaus/Boulder Mt.: Glacial Lakes & Canyonlands views
Aug 19 Capitol Reef National Park: Explore the breaks above the Park
Sept 11 Ride the Redrock Breaks above Waterpocket Fold & Circle Cliffs
Sept 26 Fall Foliage with views of Canyonlands & Northern Arizona
Oct.3 Fall Foliage on Boulder and 1000 Lakes Mountains

* price includes -all sales, resort and meal taxes and land-use fees (over 14%), all daily ground transportation from Torrey and return, all meals with gratuities from breakfast on day two through dinner on the last day, three nights lodging in Torrey, Utah, three nights lodging Boulder, Utah, water bottles, saddle bags and quality tack, daily guided horseback riding or hiking, seasoned mountain horses for novice or experienced riders, interpretive specialist well versed in canyonlands social and natural history, evening activities may include 4X4 tour, museum visit, sunset wine party. Guide gratuities and alcohol are not included. 

Riding Level: Beginner to Advanced

Sample Horse Vacation Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your assigned lodge. Participants on Inn-to-Inn rides will meet with your trip leader and interpretative specialist for orientation and to outline details, destinations, and scheduling particulars at 8:00 PM on Day 1.

Note: This is a sample itinerary which includes two possible scenarios of daily activity. It will give you an idea of what you might experience. In reality, there are dozens of trails to explore and dozens of landforms to visit. Wherever we go, we’ll have fun and see spectacular country.

Day 2
Your guides will meet you after breakfast at your inn, then you’ll depart for a short vehicle ride to the trailhead meeting the remainder of the crew and your horse. After becoming familiar with your mount, you’ll hit The Sand Creek Trail for The Mummy Cliffs and Fremont River Overlook; or The Slickrock Trail, Devil’s Slide, Golden Throne Overlook, The Dunes, Happy Valley and Wildcat Gorge. Dinner out will sample one of Torrey’s finest restaurants.

Day 3
From your Torrey inn, you’ll visit Courthouse Butte, Cook Mesa, The Petrified Forest, Lone Pine pictograph and petroglyph panels, Chokecherry Point, The Terrace, Pleasant Creek Waterfall and Upper Bowns Lake. Dinner offers another of it’s award winning restaurants.

Day 4
Today your accommodations will shift from the Torrey area to Boulder, Utah. For those guests traveling by automobile, you’ll transfer car and luggage to today’s trail’s end.

Once the transfer is completed, you’ll ride in Hondoo’s van to today’s trailhead, then ride The Slickrock Trail to Devil’s Slide, Golden Throne Overlook, The Dunes, Happy Valley and Wildcat Gorge; or, you’ll ride The Great Western Trail to Meek’s Lake, Pleasant Creek Meadows, Deer Lakes Overlook, Behunin Point Overlook and The Park Pasture. You’ll follow Hondoo’s vehicles in your car to your new accommodations at The Boulder Mountain Lodge or Pole’s Place with plenty of time to unpack, relax and enjoy a distinctive dining experience along with your guide before bedding down.

Day 5
From our Boulder base, (depending on the season) you’ll continue on The Slickrock Trail into Oak Creek Canyon, then to Con’s Hole and Con’s Knoll Overlook, The Windmill, Turkey Track, and Steep Creek Lakes where you’ll take The Indian Trail over The Stairs to Indian Gulch; or you’ll ride The Elderberry Trail to Long Lake, Scout Lake, Sunflower Flat, Bown’s Point Overlook and Deer Creek Lakes.

Day 6
You’ll depart for a final day of riding joining your mount in Indian Gulch, then journey to The Lamp Stand, Lamanite Natural Bridge, Water Canyon and Egg Canyon before ending the ride at a point where Indian Gulch, Steep Creek, Long Canyon and the Burr Trail converge; or venture to Edmund’s Hole, Steep Creek Lakes, Frisky Canyon, The Long Neck, The Short Neck and Deer Creek. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a group dinner before your final night’s stay at this splendid, picturesque lodge.

Day 7
Depart Boulder, Utah at your convenience, or complete your transfer as arranged. 

*Note:  This is a flexible sample itinerary for two of several camps you may use and is subject to change if it is in the best interest of the riders and horses due to weather, group size, or any other necessary reasons. Each camp is unique and often offers more trails to explore than time will permit.
 

Related Travel Articles

Utah Wild Horse Safari

One of the reasons I love discovering a new place on horseback is that I feel like a modern day explorer. I like to learn that insider’s information that only a local can provide and bring that home to share with my friends and family. On a ride Capitol Reef… Read more »

Utah- Capitol Reef National Park

Adventures in Utah's "Land of the Sleeping Rainbow." by Darley Newman. Originally published in True West magazine. Once I heard that this was his first ride since being out to pasture all winter, I wasn’t exactly psyched to ride Sawdust. Sawdust might be super excited and frisky, or not want… Read more »

Traveler Reviews

Quotes from recent travelers:

"We 'old' gals had a great time and wouldn't have missed a day for anything in the world. We've since purchased stock in Aleve."
 
"Horses were great, friendly and well behaved."

"I woke up to the best wallpaper in the world!"  

"All my nervousness galloped away the moment we reached those amazing vistas and canyons."

"The campsite was wonderful and well provided."
 
"A very professional outfitter and their experience showed."

Test

Reading List

General Guidebooks

Utah (Moon Handbooks) (Paperback) by Bill McRae and Judy Jewell
Seasoned travel writers W. C. McRae and Judy Jewell know the best ways to experience all that the Beehive State has to offer. The authors include great trip strategies that utilize Utah’s amazing outdoor attractions and unique history, such as Standing High: The Best Vistas and The Old West Tour. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Utah has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Including expert advice on the state’s best brewpubs, first-rate ski and snowboard resorts, and amazing National Parks, Moon Utah gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks are the cure for the common trip. 

Fodor's Utah, 4th Edition: With Zion, Bryce, Arches, Capitol Reef & Canyonlands National Parks (Fodor's Gold Guides) (Paperback) by Fodor’s
Pre-order for April 6, 2010 release
"In terms of comprehensiveness of coverage, the very accessible format, and the enthusiastic tone, this series remains one of the best on the market." –Booklist

History Enthusiasts

Roadside History of Utah (Roadside History Series) (Paperback) by Cynthia Larsen Bennett
Roadside History of Utah takes readers on a journey through time as it follows the state's highways, vividly portraying the determined people who faced the challenges of making a home in Utah. Readers will meet them all: the native peoples, early explorers and traders, Mormon pioneers, miners and ranchers, and even today's developers. In addition to detailing the state's major historical events, author Cindy Bennett displays a love of Utah that casts a warm glow on her accounts of tiny settlements taking root and growing into amiable towns like Pleasant Grove, whose main landmark today is a hamburger joint called the Purple Turtle, and Richmond, home of Utah's first evaporated-milk factory. Bennett relates stories such as the terror of Bear Lake, where for years a 75-foot monster was believed to lurk until it was discovered that the disturbance in the water were caused by local cattle. These, and many more tales, are the compelling stories of Utah's exceptional people.

Equitrekking Coffee Table Companion Book & DVD

Equitrekking Travel Adventures on Horseback by Darley Newman with Photographs by Chip Ward available at Amazon.com
This companion to the PBS TV series, Equitrekking, proves that the world's most beautiful views are often best seen from atop a horse. This gorgeous book features dozens of scenic rides in the U.S. and around the globe. Denver Post review: For horse folk and dreamers, as well as fans of the show, it's a beautiful trip through stunning equestrian-friendly possibilities.



Equitrekking DVD's featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, available in the Shop section of Equitrekking.com 

Get off the beaten path to see some of the world's most beautiful horses and classic riding destinations with host and equestrian travel expert Darley Newman with Emmy Award-winning Equitrekking, the horseback riding travel series on PBS. 

Season One: Vermont, the Carolinas, Georgia Coast, Wyoming, Colorado and Spain.

Season Two: Iceland, Coastal Ireland, Hawaii's Big Island, Irish Countryside, Maui, Virginia Hunt Country and California Wine Country.

Season Three: Arizona, Belize, Costa Rica, Kentucky, Quebec, Texas and Utah.

Season Four: Southern Spain, Alaska, Central Turkey, Quebec City and Beyond, Scotland and Wales.

    

Good Books for Horse Lovers and Equestrians

Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior (Paperback) by Temple Grandin
Philosophers and scientists have long wondered what goes on in the minds of animals, and this fascinating study gives a wealth of illuminating insights into that mystery. ---Publishers Weekly

The Horse: A Miscellany of Equine Knowledge (Hardcover) by Julie Whitaker with Ian Whitelaw
The Horse is an informative gallop through everything to do with the horse:  evolution, history, biology, breeds, behavior, training, competition, health, and care—all gathered into an accessible gallery of solid information, essential facts, and fascinating trivia.                                                           

Hunter Seat Equitation (Hardcover) by George H. Morris
A classic by a world-renowned teacher and master equestrian--the definitive work on the art of teaching and riding the hunter seat, now updated to include refinements in Morris's insightful program of riding instruction.

The New Encyclopedia of the Horse (Hardcover) by Elwyn Hartley Edwards
Chronicling the history of the horse, this guide encompasses the early domestication of the horse, classical riding styles, as well as a survey of the great stud farms and current international sporting events.