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Cattle Driving in Wyoming |
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Holly's horse takes a break in the shade
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The Rocky Mountain State of Wyoming is bordered by
Idaho to the west and Montana to the north.
It's large areas of unspoilt land, rolling hills and grassy
plains make it ideal cattle country and traditional ranching
still survives.
This horse-riding trek takes Holly Morris to the Bitterroot
Ranch, near Dubois, in west-central Wyoming. It's the last
ranch in a remote valley, which borders the Shoshone National
Forest and the Wind River Indian Reservation. You don't
need to be an expert rider for this trip, but a little experience
will keep you from getting too saddle sore. The terrain is
extremely varied: you'll see snow-capped mountains, sagebrush
plains and grassy meadows, and rocky gorges give way to forested
mountains and alpine clearings.
Highlights
- Early morning fly-fishing in one of Wyoming's many fast-running
streams
- Heading out on horseback into the warm sunshine with the
Rocky Mountains in front of you
- Living the life of a real cowboy - if only for a few days! |
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Our Journey Path (as featured
in Treks in a Wild World)
Starting at the Bitterroot Ranch, Holly and her guides,
Mel and Bayard Fox, head up through the Shoshone National
Forest. Their aim is to move the cattle higher into the
Absaroka Range, then drive them east, over the final
ridge and into the East Fork Basin.
By the end of day one, Holly and the cowboys have already
moved the herd several miles and so they set up camp. The
next day an early morning fly-fishing trip to a nearby stream
is perfect for Holly, who is an accomplished fly fisher. After
a good cowboy breakfast, it's time to pack up and move em'
out, higher into the Absarokas. With snow-capped peaks
in every direction, Holly and the ranchers drive the cattle
up the plains and over the final ridge to the East Fork Basin,
where the cattle are put to pasture for another few months. |
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Survival Tips
Wear a pair of nylon pantyhose (yes, the men too!) underneath
a pair of jeans if you don't have leather chaps - this will
protect your legs from chaffing.
Mel Fox, owner of Bitterroot Ranch, is famed for her knack
of matching horse to rider. Whatever your skills, Mel will
find the horse for you. She has over a hundred horses to choose
from.
Did you know?
The Wind River Range is Wyoming's highest mountain
range, with superb trails along the Continental Divide.
The Wind River Indian Reservation is home to over 2500
Eastern Shoshone and more than 5000 Arapaho people
and is Wyoming's only Indian reservation. It's 3600 square
miles in size and operates its own tax and court systems,
game and fish department and public transportation. A visit
can offer an interesting glimpse into 21st century Native
American life.
About 5000 wild horses roam south western Wyoming. Herds can
be seen along the west side of US 191 between Rock Springs
and Boulder. The horses are protected under the BLM
authority.
Ranchers must move their cattle regularly so that none of
the fragile wilderness is overgrazed. However, traditional
ranching in this area is becoming threatened. Many ranchers
now have to provide the cowboy experience to paying visitors
in order to subsidise their incomes.
The short summer season lasts August to September and is a
perfect time for hiking, climbing, fishing and horseback
riding in the Area. Snowmobiling is also possible
in the winter months. |
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