General Info

Whether you ride in Capitol Reef, the San Rafael Swell, Escalante Canyons or decide to combine riding with whitewater rafting, you’re in for an adventure amid beautiful Utah scenery with longtime outfitter Pat Kearney in Southern Utah. Pat Kearney, the owner of Hondoo Rivers and Trails, 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.

Hondoo’s headquarters are located in the midst of the canyon lands in Torrey, Utah, near Capitol Reef National Park. 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, Hondoo 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 with Pat. Riders may choose from to camp out at a deluxe basecamp or stay in comfort at night on an inn-to-inn adventure. Pat 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.

Camping Rides
Capitol Reef National Park Trail Ride – 6 days/5 nights Novice to Strong Intermediate
Escalante Canyons Trail Ride - 6 days/5 nights Novice to Strong Intermediate
High Plateaus Trail Ride - 6 days/5 nights Novice to Strong Intermediate
San Rafael Swell Wilderness Trail Ride – 6 days/5 nights Novice to Strong Intermediate

Inn to Inn Rides
Capitol Reef National Park & Escalante Canyons- 7 days/ 6 nights Novice to Strong Intermediate

Multi-sport
Raft & Ride Vacation- Novice to Strong Intermediate

Awards & Accolades
Pat Kearney, your guide, is featured in Equitrekking Utah, part of Equitrekking’s Emmy award winning third season on Public Television.

Hondoo's 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.

Hondoo is 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

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

Hondoo’s 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).

Hondoo 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. Owner Pat Kearney 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. The trips are designed for horse loves. An appreciation of the outdoors is the only prerequisite for joining a trip.

Capitol Reef

Accomodations: Inn and Deluxe Basecamp

Rates for 2010:
$1490 (Price per person double occupancy)
$1540 (Price per person single occupancy)

Dates in 2010 and 2011
6 Days/5 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 2- 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 four nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day six; 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.

**discounts for groups of 5 or more. If 8 in the group, #8 person is a comp. Or the group can take that fare and reduce everyone's fare by 1/7th of the cost!

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate riders

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. 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. 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.

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.

Day 1 Arrival in Scenic Torrey
Arrive in scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your specified motel--either the Capitol Reef or the Chuckwagon Inn. Guests gather at 8:00pm in the Inn's Lobby for an orientation and final packing session with your trip leader and the trip's interpretative specialist.

Day 2 The 25 mile Ride through the Reef
After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo's headquarters where your gear will be packed and you will meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, before departing at 9:00am for the trailhead. The 25-mile ride through the Reef wets 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 on to 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 base camp.

Day 3 Crossing the Bare Slickrock
You will 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. You’ll return returning home to a hot shower and cold drinks.

Day 4 Navajo Cliffs
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. Once you have made your way into the gulch, you will be rewarded by the shady cottonwoods, as the route back will allow you 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 Labyrinth of Canyons
After finding your way through the labyrinth of canyons to Pleasant Creek you will have the opportunity to see the eroding pictographs and Fremont pit houses of Spring Canyon. En route back to camp you'll have numerous opportunities to imagine the challenges that faced 19th century pioneers at stops at the Nixon canyon and Miner's mountain cabins.

Day 6 The Ride Home
After packing your personal gear you will ride the length of the Sulfur Creek to the Slickrock trail. You will meet the vehicles at Grover for a short trip back to Torrey by 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.
 

Escalante Canyons

Accomodations: Inn and Deluxe Basecamp

Rates for 2010:
$1490 (Price per person double occupancy)
$1540 (Price per person single occupancy)

Dates in 2010 and 2011
6 days/ 5 nights
May 20- Spring Wildflowers & Slick Rock Mountains
June 14- Springtime in the Upper-Escalante Canyons
June 22- Upper-Escalante with Views into Arizona & Wildlife
August 10- Headwaters of the Escalante River High elevation trip This trip is filled.
September 19- Fall Foliage and Redrock Canyons

* price includes first night lodging in Torrey, Utah followed by four nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day six; 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.

**discounts for groups of 5 or more. If 8 in the group, #8 person is a comp. Or the group can take that fare and reduce everyone's fare by 1/7th of the cost!

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate riders

The Grand Staircase/Escalante Canyons National Monument is Utah's largest tract of unspoiled wilderness. 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. 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.

Day 1: Arrival in Scenic Torrey
Arrive to Torrey, Utah and check into your specified motel--either the Boulderview Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn. Guests gather at 8:00pm 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: 30-mile Scenic Ride
After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo's headquarters. Transfers will be provided as needed. After meeting the crew and your horse, you will set out at 9:00am for the trailhead at Roundup Flat or Circle Cliffs. The 30-mile ride over Boulder Mountain travels along a stretch of road which is 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 base camp. From the Circle Cliffs trailhead with its panoramic view of the Grand Staircase and Escalante Canyons, you'll leave Studhorse Peak and Wagon Box Mesa behind as you ride to base camp at Moody Canyon or nearby Silver Falls Canyon.

Day 3: Labyrinth of Canyons
After breakfast and preparing lunch from the Gulch base camp 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 base camp, you'll ride over the Purple Hills to explore the labyrinth of canyons which comprise the Moody Canyon complex.

Day 4: Circle Cliff Divide
Daylight at the Gulch camp brings the prospect of visiting the Circle Cliff divide, the Lampstand and the petroglyphs located at its base. From the Moody/Silver Falls camp you'll wind your way into the ever-narrowing depths of Silver Falls Canyon with stops at the Pioneer Register and the cooling alcove at Immigrant Springs.

Day 5: Indian Gulch
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. Alternate routes could include a ride to Deer Point, the Capitol Reef Divide and the Waterpocket Fold Overlook before returning to relax around the evening fire.

Day 6: Long Canyon Home
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 comfort of a vehicle ride along the Burr Trail road to highway 12 and beyond. You'll arrive in Torrey by late afternoon. From the Moody/Silver Falls camp you'll take in Wolverine Petrified Forest and Little Death Hollow. You will return 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

Accomodations: Inn and Deluxe Basecamp

Rates for 2010:
$1490 (Price per person double occupancy)
$1540 (Price per person single occupancy)

Dates in 2010 and 2011
6 Days/5 Nights
June 22- Wildflowers & Wildlife/Elk on the Wasatch Plateau
July 2 - The Great Western Trail (Canada to Mexico) over 1000 Lakes Mountain
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 Mtn. with Canyonlands Views & Wildlife/Elk
August 10- Headwaters of the Escalante River High elevation trip This trip is filled.
Sept 26 -Fall Foliage from either Boulder Mountain or 1000 Lakes Mountain
Oct 3- Fall Foliage on Boulder Mountain

* price includes first night lodging in Torrey, Utah followed by four nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day six; 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.

**discounts for groups of 5 or more. If 8 in the group, #8 person is a comp. Or the group can take that fare and reduce everyone's fare by 1/7th of the cost!

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate riders

The Colorado Plateau was the last explored region of the continental United States. 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. 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. 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.

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.

Day 1 Arrival in Scenic Torrey
Arrive to Torrey, Utah and check into your specified motel--either the Boulderview Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn. Guests gather at 8:00pm 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 Slickrock Trail
After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo's headquarters, where your gear will be packed and you will meet the remainder of the crew and your horse. You will then depart at 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, and Wildcat Gorge before arriving at your base camp 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 View of the Canyon Lands
After breakfast 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 canyon lands are indescribable. You'll return to camp in time to relax and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before dinner.

Day 4 Elderberry Trail to Capitol Reef National Park
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. After lunch you'll return to camp via Billings Pass and the Cathedral Valley overlook.

Day 5 Trails, Rivers, and Falls
Riders at the Pleasant Creek camp will follow Keller's Trail to the breathtaking vista on Chokecherry Point, then across the Terrace to Pleasant Creek Falls. After a hearty breakfast, riders at the Wiff's Pasture camp will spend their final full day on the Saddle Pass Trail with its stunning views of Hell's Hole, Sand Creek Gorge and the Fremont River Valley.

Day 6 The Ride Home
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 leave the horses 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 by 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

Accomodations: Inn and Deluxe Basecamp

Rates for 2010:
$1490 (Price per person double occupancy)
$1540 (Price per person single occupancy)

Dates in 2010 and 2011
6 Days/5 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
August 27- Rockart & Slickrock Mountains of Sid's Mtn. Wilderness
September 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 four nights at a deluxe basecamp deep in the backcountry; complete outfitting, including all meals from lunch on day two through lunch on day six; 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.

**discounts for groups of 5 or more. If 8 in the group, #8 person is a comp. Or the group can take that fare and reduce everyone's fare by 1/7th of the cost!

Riding Level: Novice & Intermediate and Strong intermediate ride

San-Rafael’s low elevation canyon trail has guests riding in search of wild horses. 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.  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.
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.

Day 1 Arrival in Scenic Torrey
Arrive in scenic Torrey, Utah and check into your specified motel--either the Boulderview Inn or the Chuckwagon Inn. Guests gather at 8:00pm 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 Mustangs and Bighorn Sheep
After breakfast, you'll travel a short distance down the road to Hondoo's headquarters where you will meet the remainder of the crew and your horse, then depart at 9:00am for the 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 the base camp 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: On most days of the trail ride, you will see mustangs or desert bighorn sheep depending on your base camp.

Day 3 Canyon Ride
From the Muddy Creek base camp you'll visit Red Canyon Narrows, Courthouse Butte, Family Butte and Penitentiary Canyon before returning to a camp situated under majestic cottonwoods along the picturesque stream. From the Cold Canyon base camp you'll ride through 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 base camp.

Day 4 Historic Outlaw Camp and Mining Ruins
Daylight at the Muddy Creek camp brings the prospect of visiting the magnificent Chute gorge and Chimney Canyon. From the Cold Canyon base camp you'll ride to the pinnacles of Devil's Monument and Joe and his Dog. As you return to camp, you'll stop at the historic outlaw camp and mining ruins of the ZCMI mine. You should note that you will always arrive back at camp with plenty of daylight and time to clean up and enjoy hors d'oeuvres before dinner.

Day 5 Steams of Mustangs
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 6 Wild Horses and Stunning Panoramas
After packing up camp, you'll ride to McKay Flat via Red Canyon and the Grey Breaks. This route will take you to a favorite wild horse watering spring and furnish breathtaking panoramas of the country you've visited on your trip. From the Cold Canyon base camp you'll ride the length of the Devil's Race Track to the incomparable Snake Dance pictograph panel. At the McKay Flat or the Snake Dance panel, leave your horse for the journey over the San Rafael Swell to Torrey, Utah. You'll arrive in Torrey by 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

Accomodations: Inns and B&B’s

Rates for 2010:
$2200 (Price per person double occupancy)
$2500 (Price per person single occupancy)

Dates in 2010 and 2011
7 Days/6 Nights
May 12- Capitol Reef National Park: Springtime in 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

* 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.

**discounts for groups of 5 or more. If 8 in the group, #8 person is a comp. Or the group can take that fare and reduce everyone's fare by 1/7th of the cost!

Riding Level: Beginner to Advanced

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.  As a general rule, you’ll move down the Waterpocket Fold towards Lake Powell. Capitol Reef National Park National Park is featured at the beginning of the ride and Grandstaircase/Escalante Canyons National Monument is highlighted the last days.

 Breakfast and dinner will be enjoyed in the refined setting of the lodges and lunch will be eaten on the trail. Time away from the lodge may vary day to day, but as a general rule, you should plan to depart by nine each morning and to return about six in the evening. The rides are leisurely and are often divided into two groups, one group going a longer distance and one a shorter distance. Daily travel time to or from our trailhead averages about twenty minutes.

Torrey Lodging Info:
Inn-to-Inn Trailrides depart from Torrey, Utah .  Torrey is a town of a little over 200 population which is located at the junction of State Highways 12 and 24 near the west entrance of Capitol Reef National Park.
You’ll stay in one of the area's three best inns for lodging during the ride's first three nights, either Muley Twist Inn, Sky Ridge Bed and Breakfast or The Lodge at Red River. The Inn used will be specified with confirmation of ride reservation.
The Muley Twist Inn is located one mile west of Teasdale, Utah in a secluded rock cove (3 miles west of Torrey).
The Sky Ridge Inn is located ridge-top and off-highway one mile east of Torrey, near the junction of highways 12 and 24.  
The Lodge at Red River is situated in a secluded cottonwood grove under the Mummy Cliffs along the Fremont River. It is located off highway 24, three miles west of Torrey. 

Boulder Lodging Info:
Inn Rides end in Boulder, Utah.  Boulder is a tiny town with big scenery.  It is famous because it was the last town in the continental United States that could be reached by automobile--1938. It is located on Highway 12, named by AAA Auto Club as one of the three most scenic roads in America, forty miles south of Torrey.

You’ll stay at either the Boulder Mountain Lodge or Pole's Place for your last three nights. The Boulder Mountain Lodge (www.boulder-utah.com) is located where the famous Burr Trail joins Highway 12. Pole's Place is located in an intimate setting north of town on Highway 12 across from the Museum of the Anasazi (the prehistoric Combs Site). 
Note:   Below is a sample itinerary that 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 you go, you’ll have fun and see spectacular country. 

Day 1 Arrive to Torrey
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 8:00pm on Day 1.  Meet in either the Great Room of the Lodge at Red River, the Communal Room at Sky Ridge Inn, or the Living Room at Muley Twist Inn.


Day 2 
Sand Creek or Slickrock Trail
Your guides will meet you for 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, Velvet Ridge, Hell's Hole, Sand Creek Falls and Paradise Overlook; or, The Slickrock Trail, Devil's Slide, Golden Throne Overlook, The Dunes, Happy Valley and Wildcat Gorge.

Day 3 
Scenic Overlooks and History
From your Torrey inn, you'll visit Courthouse Butte, Cook Mesa, The Petrified Forest, Lone Pine pictograph and petroglyph panels, Sulfur Creek Gorge and The Goosenecks; or you'll ride the Keller Trail to Capitol Reef Overlook on Chokecherry Point, The Terrace, Pleasant Creek Waterfall and Upper Bowns Lake.

Day 4 
Great Western Trails
Today your accommodations will shift from the Torrey area to Boulder, Utah. For those guests traveling by automobile, you'll transfer your car and luggage thirty-five miles south on highway 12 to your new inn. For those guests who have booked the Transfer Package, you and your luggage will travel to Boulder in a Hondoo van. All vehicles will caravan to Boulder.
Once the transfer is completed, you'll go 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 arrive at your new accommodations at The Boulder Mountain Lodge with plenty of time to unpack, relax and enjoy a distinctive dining experience before bedding down.

Day 5 
Lakes Ride
From our Boulder base, 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 
Canyon Lands
You'll depart for a final day of horse riding joining your mount in Indian Gulch, then horseback riding 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, you'll enjoy a group dinner before your final night's stay at this picturesque lodge.
Participants with Transfer Package will depart Boulder mid to late afternoon for their final night of lodging in St. George, Utah.

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.
 

Raft & Ride Combo

Includes: complete outfitting: 3 days rafting, 2 nights camping, flight to Canyonlands, return to Green River. 1 night Inn lodging in Torrey, 4 nights camping, 5 days riding 

Rates for 2010: 
$2140.00/person


Dates in 2010 and 2011
Raft July 9-11 Ride July 11-16
Raft July 30- Aug 1 Ride Aug 1-6
Raft Aug 6-8* Ride Aug 10-15
Raft Sept 17-19 Ride Sept 19-24
Raft Oct 1-3 Ride Oct 3-8 

*includes extra days between for your sightseeing




Rafting Utah's canyon country on the Green River or Colorado River is an exciting adventure and unforgettable experience. Although Hondoo no-longer outfits white-water river trips, they have chosen to associate Hondoo's name with their long-time friends and canyon country compatriots, the Quist brothers of Moki Mac Expeditions.

Hondoo has joined with their long time river runner friends to offer a schedule of multi-sport adventures which combine white-water river rafting with backcountry horseback riding. You will have the opportunity to engage in rafting for 3 days, then after a night of inn lodging, you'll experience another part of the canyonlands by horseback for 5 days.



The raft & ride combo features complete outfitting.

The raft portion of these camping trips explore Utah's premier white-water section of the Colorado River thru Cataract Canyon. From Moki's headquarters in Green River, Utah, you'll fly over the Canyonlands to your nearby launch site on the Colorado River.  Your river journey will lead you thru the heart of Canyonlands National Park.  Participants join the three day motor-powered expedition for two nights camping on the Colorado River before ending the float on Lake Powell and your van ride back to Green River. 
From Green River, you'll journey by your vehicle to nearby Torrey, Utah for an evening's stay in the comfort of a modern travel lodge. 


The ride portion of these combination trips offer participants the opportunity to join Hondoo to explore 'The Land of the Sleeping Rainbow'.  This is a wild landscape dominated by slickrock. With summer's heat, you'll move camp to increasingly alpine elevations in the High Plateaus overlooking Capitol Reef National Park or Escalante Canyons/Grand Staircase National Monument. 
You arrive back in Torrey in the late afternoon of day six with Hondoo.


 

Related Blog Posts

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. Pat Kearney of Hondoo Rivers… 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 ShopDarley.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: Season 1-4 DVD sets featuring Emmy winning PBS episodes, including Utah and Capitol Reef National Park. Available at ShopDarley.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.