Well, it’s about time ain’t it! It’s about time to pick out the best trail rides I’ve

ever done and then do ‘em again!

So, next season (2024), I’ll be putting together a week that will highlight some of the most awesome country I know, the best riding on our best horses, riding our best selection of trails one day with the potential of moving cattle the next day, and in addition we’re going to highlight each of our eight guests over the course of the week as I share with you country you’ve never seen before and perhaps never will again!

I started riding the country that surrounds me at my home, Bear Creek Ranch,

more than forty years ago. I came to the ranch with the idea that I’d gather up a

few horses and somehow, some way, be able to ride folks into the country that surround us. We do stay out of Glacier National Park for the most part but

focus our best rides both In the Badger-Two Medicine and Blackfeet Reservation

Country. Believe me, you “won’t believe” what you’re going to see. Over the

course of many years I’ve had the pleasure of riding areas that are “off the beaten

path,” and not ridden by anyone. We’ve done those rides for, in many cases,

years, and have yet to ever see another soul. We can ride with “effect” and not at

a regimented walk in a crowd. If we care to hit a trot or a lope, we’ll do so. Do

keep in mind that we’ll also pay attention to our horses and will manage their

days with care directed towards their lives as well. Hitting it too hard isn’t good

but riding too slowly isn’t what you are coming for either. I think our many guests

that have ridden with us over the years would agree. And by the way, if you care

to, there’s a bunch of reviews on our operation at TripAdvisor.com. Feel free to

take a look!

So back to “my favorite” rides of the last half century, almost! Beginning on

Sunday, August 25th we’ll be picking up 8- 10 guests at the airport in Kalispell. The

ride back to the ranch is about seventy miles so we’ll be at the ranch in any hour

or so. You’ll be staying in one of our five cabins and eating some real filling and

nutritious homemade meals every morning and evening. We pack lunch in saddle

bags and eat on the trail each day. Following an introduction to the ranch and our

staff we’ll be riding in our sand arena to match everyone up to the right horse and

the right saddle. We’ve got plenty of horses to choose from and you will be

welcome to ride the same horse all week or switch things up and ride a few

different ones.

For the record, we do have a weight limit of 225 pounds and on the week in

question we are asking that you have some riding experience. You don’t need

alot of experience as we’ve got horses that will be more malleable than others

but you will feel more comfortable if you’ve got the basic horsemanship skills

covered.

The ideas I have for the following week are to ride a different bit of country every

day. I’ll run our options by you each evening and we’ll go from there. Wind, rain,

or snow won’t be a factor during this period of time. The sky is blue and sunny,

rain will be hard to find, and snow season is still a few months off. No mud and

no bugs! You’ll be riding the mountains, the foothills, and the coulees along the

river. You won’t need to ride nose to tail. Spread out when you care to. On any

given day we may have the opportunity to see a bear, black or grizzly. They’re

there and you’ll see tracks and scat. We see the big ones from a distance and

with a group on horseback there is no danger.

I’ve always maintained that a day horseback is a day well spent. That’s where we

want to go! There’s a whole lot to be said about swinging a leg over and heading

out. That’s really the essence of a good ride. If you’re riding in good country, on a

good horse, and with good folks, you’re way ahead of the ballgame. Everything

else is gravy! You are going to be riding with some good people. Believe it or

not, we rarely have a mix up or an unsatisfied customer. So many of the groups

that have been informally put together for the adventure vacations are a big part

of the joy you’ll experience over the course of the week. You’ll be meeting folks

from our country and beyond. This past season we had ‘em from Sweden,

Ireland, and Australia.

If after reading this you still find yourselves with some questions regarding times,

dates, and details please feel free to call us here and send an e-mail. We’ll

probably be here but if not just leave a message. Some guests talk to us a half

dozen times before they ever arrive. Ask away. No worries.

So, we’ll be good to go when you’re ready! We’d love to have you with us on this very special, first of it’s kind adventure vacation. I don’t know of another outfit

that does it like us. Bring some clothing, boots, and a hat along with a good sense

of humor and an appetite.

Hope you are well and again looking forward to another warm weather season,

still another 6 months ahead of us!

Let’s talk soon,

Bill.