Adventure SpecialistsInc.
and Bear Basin Pack Trips LLC.
info@adventurespecialists.org

This wilderness journey is for both experienced and beginning riders. The horses are surefooted, no nonsense and willing. We assign a personal horse and teach how to saddle, picket and care for it. Mountain riding techniques are taught as we travel. Our philosophy is: The more you know about your horse and equipment, the more you will enjoy your vacation. Although the distance traveled is not far, the riding is adventurous along steep trails with spectacular scenery. We share our extensive knowledge of geology, plants, history and minimal impact camping. Those who have never ridden before particularly enjoy this trip as an excellent learning experience. Advanced riders enjoy the additional hands-on experience and scenic country of this little known area of Colorado. Participants should be in good physical condition. Camps are placed between 9000-10,000 feet with day rides going as high as 13,000 or more feet in elevation.

THREE DAY PACKTRIP ITINERARY
Day 1 Meeting in Colorado Springs, we drive two hours to a trailhead on the eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As the pack string is carefully loaded with duffels and supplies, one of the two colorful wrangler/guides picked for the adventure gives detailed instructions on riding, saddling and care of your mount. Setting out around midday, we wind up through aspen groves, Gambel Oak and Lodgepole Pine, up and into a long glaciated valley. The trail is almost lost as we work around downfall Englemann Spruce, fording the tumbling stream that gurgles down toward the Arkansas River and eventually the Mississippi. A dark Tassel-eared Squirrel chatters indignantly as we pass. Higher up, a cow elk with ungainly calf in tow ambles across a meadow lush with purple larkspur and yellow composites. We set camp near a meadow surrounded by high ridges and glacier chiseled summits towering skyward above. The horses are picketed out. The tents are up in carefully selected flat areas well away from each other and the small campfire is glowing cheerfully as we sip hot drinks while awaiting dinner.

Day 2 The aroma of brewing coffee and the fluttering of Steller's Jays signals the start of the day. Some will be up to greet the rising sun, others enjoy the leisure of a no-stress morning, awaiting the enticing smell of a traditional cowboy breakfast to tempt them from the warm comfort of bedroll and tent. Following the second pot of coffee, we saddle up for a day of exploration. Leaving camp and pack horses behind we may ride up the valley in search of an emerald green lake above or perhaps, press on over a barren high pass, beyond the last wind-twisted Bristlecone Pine for a breathtaking view of the great San Luis valley to the west.

DAY 3 Up early, we help break camp, catch the horses, pack loads. Now a seasoned, trained outfit, we are soon moving across the meadow and down the valley. Thunderclouds threaten so we hasten along, stopping only to check chinches and loads. Dropping into the heavily timbered low country, we hurry along as the high ridges erupt in claps of rolling thunder and electric display. We are back at the road too soon, and waiting transport to urban reality.
Due to factors beyond our control, we occasionally find it necessary to change the order or the route of these activities.

POST TRIP INFORMATION
At the end of your trip you will be brought back to the hotel sometime between 5:00 and 7:00pm. We recommend making prior lodging reservations if you plan to spend the night. If you must fly out that evening, please do not schedule a flight before 8:00pm, to make certain you can make your flight.

RESERVATIONS: Call or E-mail us for availability and booking. Programs.
719-783-2076 phone 866-244-4691 fax
Email: info@adventurespecialists.org. Visit our
website : www.adventurespecialists.org See our Peru and Mexico horse and trekking trips

MEETING TIME AND PLACE
Time: 7:30 a.m. on the first morning of the trip.
Place: Radisson Inn Colorado Springs Airport
1645 N Newport Rd., Colorado Springs, CO 80916
719/597-7000 or 800/333-3333

We offer a van shuttle to and from the Radisson. The cost is $60 per person round trip. Please meet in the lobby with your duffel bag, and your day pack or saddlebags packed
You may also drive yourself to Bear Basin Ranch. We take our van on to the trail head.

TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS

Hotel: We recommend that you stay at the Radisson Inn Colorado Springs Airport Location: 1645 N Newport Rd in Colorado Springs. Call 719/597-7000 or 800/333-3333 for reservations and mention you are with Bear Basin Ranch to receive the special discount rate. This hotel provides an airport shuttle.

CAR: You can drive to the Radisson Inn and, with prior notice, leave your car in the parking lot while on the trip. Arrangements can also be made to drive to Bear Basin Ranch where the trip is based. Let us know and we will send you details and a map, or you can meet the van in Colorado Springs and follow us to the Ranch.

TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance when you book. This can reimburse you if you need to cancel last minute due to sickness, for example, or other trip emergencies. One company is Travel Guard 1-800-826-7488 or compare prices on www.insuremytrip.com.

EXCLUSIONS
Items listed on the equipment list, alcoholic beverages, and tips are excluded. (Tipping is at your own discretion, of course, and is certainly optional. Please direct the tip to the trip leader. The standard in the industry is 10 - 20% of the trip cost.)

EQUIPMENT/PREPARATION LIST
In order to best acclimate to our higher altitude, we recommend that you begin increasing your water intake to 8 or more glasses of water per day at least 24 hours before you are due to arrive -- this will help your body to adapt to the higher altitude.

Clothing
Pants ___ 2 pr. long
___ 2 pr. shorts
Shirts ___ 1 heavy long sleeve (cotton is cold when wet) sweater (wool or synthetic)
___ 1 lightweight long sleeve
___ 1 short sleeve
___ 2 T-shirts or tank tops
___ Underwear
___ Long underwear bottoms (to combat saddle sores)
Footwear
___ Boots for riding (lightweight narrower hiking boots are more versatile)
___ Tennis shoes or something similar for around camp
___ Socks -- 4 or 5 pairs of heavy cotton or wool
Outerwear
___ Bandana
___ Warm parka or jacket
___ Windproof outer jacket (optional)
___ Two piece rain suit (poncho or slicker with rain pants - essential!)
___ Gloves (for warmth)
___ Hat with brim (for sun, hail, and snow protection - must have some form of stampede string if wearing while riding)
___ Wool hat (for warmth)
Other Items
___ Duffel bag or sea bag (to pack items onto packhorses -- must be soft-sided)
___ Day pack or saddle bags (to carry things during the day)
___ Warm sleeping bag (good at least to 30° F. - we can rent bags if reserved in advance)
___ Foam pad or air mattress (such as a CampRest or ThermoRest)
___ Sunglasses(all glasses must have string/elastic strap)
___ Pocket knife
___ Flashlight
___ Canteen or plastic water bottle
Toiletries
___ Towel & washcloth
___ Biodegradable soap
___ Tooth brush and paste
___ Sun screen
___ Lip balm
___ Mirror
___ Comb
___ Hand lotion
___ Shaving kit
___ Personal medication
___ Insect repellent (few bugs at the ranch but sometimes at the river)
Optional
___ Candy, gum or tobacco items
___ Camera and extra film (you may wish to include a disposable waterproof camera for rainy days)
___ Note pad, guides & field glasses
___ Cocktail liquor (placed in unbreakable containers)
___ Cash for incidentals, tips, alcohol, etc.
___ Fishing gear (collapsible rod is best)

Pack your gear into your duffel bag and daypack. The maximum weight allowable for your duffel bag is 40 pounds (for the sake of the packhorses.) Your duffel bag will not be available during the day. Your daypack or saddlebags should hold rain gear, water bottle, gloves and other items you will want during the day. Your guide will show you how to best strap it to your saddle. Line the duffel and day bag with a garbage bag or ziplock. The weather is unpredictable; it can snow even in August, so be prepared for anything. Use the layer system of clothing, where items can be added or taken off with changes in temperature. On May, June or Sept trips snow and hail are common. The most important thing to bring is your cheerful acceptance of whatever surprises the wilderness may hold in store!
HAVE A GREAT TRIP!


Adventure Specialists
Bear Basin Ranch
Westcliffe, Colorado 81252

719 783-2076

info@adventurespecialists.org

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