Adventure Specialists at Bear Basin Ranch
Call us: 719-783-2076
E-Mail: info@adventurespecialists.org
An Extended Weekend of Classic Cowboying in the Colorado HighCountry !
(Can also be added on to one of our Monday-Friday Wilderness Packtrips)
Learn the cowboy art of herding and corralling range cattle, the excitement of sorting and penning cows with a well trained, no nonsense, working cow horse. Live the adventure and challenge of Team Penning; three riders cutting designated cows from a herd then driving them into the pen for the best time...America's fastest growing equestrian sport! And of course, try your hand at throwing a rope.
Designed for the vacationer with limited time or those who just want to sample the experience, we have packed a short visit with all of the details arranged for a carefree weekend escape .You can Leave the driving to us. Our dusty, reliable ranch van picks you up and returns you to Colorado Springs upon arrangement or you can drive yourself.
Throw your bed roll on a comfortable bunk in your own canvas tent at our cow camp where the camp cook whips up near gourmet meals (sorry, no beans and hotdogs). Relax around the campfire in the evening with amiable companions and traditional cowboy beverages as the coyotes howl on the hill side.
Matched up to a suitable cow pony from the ranch remuda, the day's adventure begins. We groom and saddle,while listening to details of the care, handling and riding ofthe western ranch horse. A brief explanation of the principalsof herding cows...then we are off over the rocky, pine covered hills to locate the grazing herd.
Deer scatter out of our way as we clatter over a stoney ridge once hunted by Ute warriors and crossed perhaps,by Coronado and his band of Spanish explorers in quest of golden cities. There...below us in the flats of Boneyard Park, reminiscentof a Remington painting, we find the cows munching contently onnative bunch grass, unsuspecting that their work day has just begun.
Later, the morning drive completed, ponies watered and resting, the cow herd milling apprehensively aboutin the corrals.... we pull our hats down tight, throw down a lastcup of bitter cowboy coffee and head into the arena to learn andpractice the refinements of cow cutting.
Right heel behind the cinch, (girth to you easterners) rein to the left, turning quick and hard to counter an escaping steer, we drive the reluctant cows into their holding pens. Later, we form into three rider teams to try out our new skills against the clock.
The day goes all too quickly! Sunday follows with more hands on experience as we gain confidence in our abilities and admiration for these quick, capable horses. The afternoon cattle drive out to the range unfortunately completes the adventure.
Nightfall finds us back in the bright lights of the city wondering if all of this really happened or...was it really just a dream of an old John Wayne Movie?
G. Ziegler
ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS... WHO WE ARE:
We are a small company based at an 1890s working ranch in the heart of Colorado.
Owners Amy Finger, Gary Ziegler,and a staff of hard working guide/wranglers run a selection of horse pack trips, wilderness programs, guidedclimbs,
combination trips, research adventures in Colorado's Sangre deCristo Wilderness, Peru and Mexico's Copper Canyon.
Gary and Amy combine extensive outdoor experience to make Adventure Specialists a successful and unique operation. Gary's unusual background includes a Ph.D. in archaeology,discovery of archaeological sites in remote Peru, first ascents of seven Andean peaks above 18,000 ft. and extensive exploration of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico by horseback.. Along the way, he did a stint with U.S. Army special forces and Intelligence in Viet Nam, instructed for Colorado Outward Bound, staffed for the Peace Corps, worked for National Geographic and chased bad guys as Custer County, Colorado Sheriff. In 2000, he co-directed and led an expedition documentary film production in Peru for the Discovery Channel.
Amy has led more than one hundred groups into Mexico's rugged Copper Canyon since 1980, and countless more in Colorado, Spain and Peru. She brings a lifetime involvement with horses to our programs. She has been guiding pack trips into the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness since 1981. Amy's degrees in geology, climatology and her studies of flora and ecology strongly influence our emphasison natural history and environmental awareness. The Adventure Specialists' staff form the Ranch's vital core. Most have been with us for many years. A talented, colorful crew of well-educated, experienced guide/wranglers help insure an exciting and memorable mountain vacation.
During summer months Amy, Gary and the Ranch staff don boots, spurs and crumpled
cowboy hats to disappear with a string of pack ponies into the Sangre De Cristo Wilderness
Area. Or, on occasion, with rope and ice ax, to stand on the airysummit of nearby 14,000 foot high Crestone Needle.
So...that's our story. We're not the big California travel company with 1-800 numbers and a staff of dozensready to sell you a trip. When you call, you reach our solar-powered,wood stove-heated, 1900 log cabin office at Bear Basin Ranch. Perhaps Gary is in Peru, Amy in Mexico or out pushing cows, but one of us will soon return your call. You can, however, count on talking personally with someone who genuinely lives horses, cows and adventure, with hands on knowledge of our programs.
BEAR BASIN RANCH is our home in southern Colorado. The Ranch lies at 9,000 feet in the shadow of the magnificent Sangre de Cristo Mountains . This rugged, remote range stretches from Salida to Santa Fe, thrusting its peaks 14,000+ feet intothe sky in one tremendous linear monument between the historic San Luis and Wet Mountain valleys.
First utilized as a hunting ground for roaming bands of ancient buffalo hunters, then as summer home to the Mountain Ute, Bear Basin was settled as part of the Silver Park Prospect in the 1860's becoming a homestead, cattle ranch,and finally, the home of our 70+ head of horses, assorted cows, deer, bear and elk. Maintaining a true western flavor, the logbuildings, bunkhouse, and barns look much as they did when early settlers came to dance to Mrs. Rickett's fiddle.
In an effort to maintain the land surrounding the Ranch in its historically remote and beautiful state, Bear Basin's 3500 acres are now bound together by a Conservation Easement which protects the land from subdivision and development.
RESERVATIONS:
Call or E-mail us for space availability for the weekend of your choice. We can fax or e-mail the application and wavier forms. Complete the forms and return them by Fax or mail along with a $150 deposit which secures your reservation. Final payment is due 45 days before the weekend.
The refund and cancellation policy is explained on the form. Payment can be by Master Card , Visa or personal check.
719-783-2076 E-Mail: info@adventurespecialists.org
MEETING TIME AND PLACE :
We can arrange a Friday evening pickup atColorado Springs. Coordinate with us by phone or e-mail when making your travel plans.
TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS, AIR, PRE AND POST LODGING AND RENTAL CAR
If you head up to Westcliffe (11 miles west of Bear Basin Ranch on Highway 96) on your own, we recommend the Westcliffe Inn (719-783-9275) for an inexpensive night with a nice room and hot tub in this neat little western town. Sunday Night, either return for another night at a hotel or in time for an evening flight home (8 pm or later).
DRIVING: You may choose to drive to Bear Basin Ranch where the trip is based.
DIRECTIONS
Bear Basin Ranch is approximately 65 miles southwest of ColoradoSprings. Head south on Interstate 25 to the Tejon/Canon City Exitin Colorado Springs, turn left from the exit over to Nevada Avenue (Hwy 115) and then right on Nevada heading south to Florence (about35 miles). In Florence turn left at the light onto Hwy 67 again heading south to Wetmore. At Wetmore turn right at the T-intersection onto Hwy 96 heading west. Watch the miles markers. Our turn is at the 11 mile marker, turn right (north) onto County Rd 271.Go one quarter mile to Bear Basin Ranch on the left. Check into the office (first log cabin on the right).
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. This can reimburse you if you need to cancel last minute due to sickness or othertrip emergencies.
COST AND DATES - $375 Every weekend-June to October
If you are a past participant of a Bear Basin/Adventure Specialists trip or would like to bring your own horse, contact us for a special reduced price.
DO I NEED TO BE AN EXPERIENCED RIDER?
No...anyone with a bit of basic horse experiencecan learn and enjoy the weekend. We recommend that participant shave some riding experience and are comfortable around horses.But you do not need to be an experienced rider. However, our program allows for diversity to accommodate and challenge the advanced rider as well. Our hope is to advance your riding skills throughfun activities.
WHAT IS INCLUDED: . Camp accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights. Meals from Dinner on Friday through lunch on Sunday. Horses, cows and tack. Great ranch scenery and facilities. Colorful wrangler/instructors. Lot's of fun! Trnasportion from Colorado Springs can be arranged
EQUIPMENT LIST
Participants should bring: sleeping bag ( can be rented at the Ranch); day pack or saddlebags, water bottle, rain gear, sunscreen and camera, flashlight, warm coat (regardless of the time of year),wool hat; warm gloves, light riding gloves, riding boots and/orhiking boots (some are okay for riding as long as they are not too wide) We use our hiking boots along with a pair of half chapswhich makes for a practical combination for both riding and walking.Good half chaps are available at: www.statelinetack.com for $45-$75. We also like chaps but they are hot in mid summer. Experienced riders may bring mild spurs but they are not a necessity. Western Hat with stampede string; ( We sell Out Back hats and slickers at our office). sunglasses, pocket knife; flashlight; long pants and other personal clothing and toiletries.
The weather is unpredictable so be prepared for anything. Use the layer system of clothing, where items can be added or taken off with changes in temperature. During June or September weekends, though usually beautiful weather, snow is possible. The most important thing to bring is your cheerful acceptance of whatever surprises the program may hold in store!
Phone: 719 783-2076
E-Mail info@adventurespecialists.org
BEAR BASIN RANCH
County Road 271 WESTCLIFFE, COLORADO 81252
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