Apache Horse Riding Trail

Ride for one or two weeks through southern Arizona. The Apache trail will lead you deep into the Sonoran Desert, through fields of cacti, towering Saguaros, up into the historic and picturesque mountains where we will follow in the footsteps of the famous Apache chiefs Chochise and Geronimo. The first week of this trail we ride through the Arizona Sonoran Desert toward the Mexican Border. The second week of the ride is in the major mountain ranges of Southwest Arizona (The Dragoons, where Chochise alluded and out smarted the U.S. Calvary for several years.)

This is a “Point to Point” scenic ride with lots of time in the saddle on mountain trails, single and 2 track trails with lots of trotting and some cantering when the terrain allows, with several camp moves. Good, wholesome, hot cooked meals, roomy three season tents w/cots and a hot shower await you when you ride in. We strive to make it as comfortable as possible while maintaining a “Camping Ride adventure” providing amenities such as tables and chairs for dining and around the campfire with plenty of coffee and tea. But please don't expect a “Dude Ranch Environment”.

The Guides, wranglers, and camp helpers are there to help you get into the routine of camp life to make the transition from “city to wild” easier from the beginning. We want this to be the best trail adventure of your life.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Week 1
Sat, day 1: Arrival and pick-up at the Tucson International Airport at 7:00 PM and transport to our ranch in the foothill of the Sierrita Mountains (there is no bunk house, once you leave town, you will be on a camping trip until the last day.)
Sun, day 2: After a hardy breakfast, we'll have a brief introduction and pre-trip meeting and then you will select or be matched to your horse for the next 1 or 2 weeks. We saddle up and go for a short ride around the foot hills and trails near the ranch. We return, have lunch ,and then journey by van to the Desert Museum (no stuffed animals; it has everything you might see while riding through this desert.)

Mon, day 3: We'll explore the surrounding Sierrita Mountains and might get a closer look at some of those creatures we saw yesterday without a fence in between. One more night will be spent at the ranch. ( 4-6 h, 16 mi.)
Tue, day 4: We'll ride through some of the largest cattle ranches of the southwest to our next camp by Pozo Nuevo. This ride will lead us through the typical sonoran desert with majestic Saguaros and other cacti (watch out for those Jumping cactus; they got their name for a reason). (6-8 h, 20 miles)

Wed, day 5: Today we'll discover a different Arizona. The cacti soon give way to the grass covered plains of the Buenos Aires wildlife refuge. Antelopes, a diversity of deer, Javalinas and any number of smaller creatures inhabit this area. Our camp is setup for one of those vacation sunset photographs. (6-8 h, 20 miles)

Thu, day 6: A long days ride will take us by Yellow Jacket and to Arivaca Lake. Prepare yourself for a 7 mile long canter along a beautiful sand wash and the increasing mountain terrain with endless views. There will be an opportunity to go for a refreshing swim at the lake after the ride. (8-9 h, 25 miles)

Fri, day 7: A long ride along the Mexican Border to Pena Blanca will take us by Ruby (a historic mining turned ghost town) and to Sycamore canyon, where we can look for goedes in the midst of an impressive canyon. (8-9 h, 25 miles)
... one week clients depart camp after dinner and overnight in local hotel in Tucson.

Sat, day 8: One week guests take the airport shuttle in the morning.

Week 2
Sat, day 8: For the two weekers there'll be an opportunity to do some shopping in the border town Nogales and a afternoon ride along the Arizona trail from Patagonia into Gardner Canyon at the base of Mt. Wrightston. (4 h, 12 mi)
Riders coming for Week 2 only - will meet the transfer in Tucson at 7 PM.

Sun, day 9: We'll follow the Arizona trail north to Kentucky Camp (another historic mining depot). Still working Gold mines and steep mountain trails will make this ride an unforgettable adventure. (6-8 h, 18 miles)

Mon, day 10: Today we leave Gardner canyon and ride the Arizona Trail south toward a little cow town called Patagonia. We will camp the night in Gringo Gulch and prepare for a long days ride tomorrow.

Tue, day 11: A long ride today from Gringo Gulch through Patagonia on the way to Canelo Pass in the Canelo mountains. Beautiful scenery and views into San Rafael Valley make this a Kodak moment all day. We camp near an old ranch for the night.

Wed, day 12: : This morning we break camp, load up horses and head for the Dragoon mountain by way of Tombstone ( “The town to tough to die”) for some sight seeing and maybe a gun fight in town. If time permits when we arrive in camp in the Dragoons we can take a short ride and maybe some more Kodak time for running across the meadows.

Thu, day 13: Today's ride will take us into the Stronghold where Chochise outsmarted the Calvary for many years and ultimately surrendered to Gen. Howard. We will ride the route the Calvary had to take to meet with Chochise through Middle Marsh Pass and return to camp for our last camp supper and shower.

Fri, day 14: We tack up this morning for our last ride. We will ride into China Gulch to visit an Authentic and still used medicine wheel where you can leave a prayer to the spirits or just sit and feel the power that these Mountains hold and know why the Apache loved it.
When we return to camp we will have lunch, load up and return to Tucson and the sounds of city. Dinner will be at a local restaurant (not included) and then for a loooooong hot shower in the hotel.

Sat, day 15: In the morning take the hotel airport shuttle to the airport.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Roomy three season dome tents with cots (we also provide pillows and have spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights). Hot shower facility in one of the support vehicles (Hot water is always available for freshening up of a morning from a large pot and wash basins.) Although there will always be water available, please remember that it is a precious commodity out here so conservation is the key word.

Wholesome tasty meals prepared in a modern day chuck wagon are served in a variety of menus throughout the trail. Beef, pork, or chicken, fresh vegetables, potatoes or rice, bread or rolls and some Southwest meals for dinner are served family style around a table. Breakfast menus consist of eggs, pancakes, French toast, bisquits, potatoes, and gravy, bacon or sausage, juice and a lot of coffee, tea and cocoa.

Drinking water and water bottles are provided; flavoured drink mix (ice tea and fruit punch) and electrolyte supplements are also provided and you are encouraged to use them here in this southwest heat.

Portable chemical toilets are provided in camp but while on the trail the bushes and trees will serve your needs.

Other beverages, ie: alcohol, are not included on this trip but can be brought from town “at cost” when the cook goes in for supplies.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.