Bitterroot Ranch Wyoming, USA

Wild and Exotic sample itinerary for a week long stay at Bitterroot Ranch 

Day 1: Arrival in Wyoming and transfer to the Bitterroot Ranch.

Bitterroot Ranch can accommodate up to 30 people in twelve charming cabins, each with private bathrooms and electric heating. Many rooms have wood burning stoves and views of the surrounding mountains. They are situated on either side of a trout filled stream to take advantage of the ranch's natural feel and remote location. Guests gather in the main lodge for meals and relaxing evenings.

Day 2 - 7: You will have the next six days to explore Bitterroot Ranch and the surrounding area.

Although an emphasis is placed on riding, there are a variety of activities on offer around Bitterroot including cattle drives (according to season), fly fishing, hiking and white water rafting nearby. For the serious rider there is also a cross country course is available for  your enjoyment with over 80 jumps of up to three feet.

Riding is usually for between 4 - 6 hours per day, returning to your comfortable cabin during the evenings. There is also the option of 2 - 3 day pack trips into the spectacular wilderness of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem near the Continental Divide (additional charge). The best way to experience the full majesty of this country is by traveling on horseback with pack animals to set up camps in the remote heart of the wilderness. A cook and wrangler provide excellent service. The route of the pack trips takes you over spectacular passes of between 11,000 and 12,000 feet and through pristine mountain valleys with little human presence. The mighty rivers of America have their beginnings here as tiny springs. Each valley has its own distinct character with meadows of lupine in one and craggy cliffs in another. On longer pack trips we will camp in the same spot for two nights to allow guests to ride out for the day, hike, fish, or just relax. This wonderful adventure provides an opportunity to see this glorious, untamed landscape which is unchanged since the early explorers found it.

Day 8: After breakfast depart from Bitterroot Ranch.

Notes:

Sample itinerary. The cost of this itinerary varies depending on the dates you visit Bitterroot between May and September.

The cost of 8 days and 7 nights (including 6 days riding) is based on two people sharing accommodation.

Rates include twin bedded accommodation, all meals, fishing and daily riding except for Sunday.

Rates exclude flights to the US, transfers to the ranch, personal medical insurance, extra drinks, supplements for a pack trip, visa fees.

If you would like to participate in a 2 or 3 day pack trip (whilst at the ranch) this will cost £30 extra per person per day.

A single supplement person is charged for single guests.

Meeting point is either Riverton or Jackson Hole. One way transfers to and from Jackson Hole are approximately £55 per person. One way transfers to and from Riverton are approximately £35 per person. Transfers take place between 9am and 6pm.

Rider prices are based on a minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 8 people. 1 - 2 day rides are based on a minimum of 3 people and a maximum of 6 people. Airport transfers are not included.

The Ranch is open between May and September. Depending on when you visit there may be opportunity to drive cattle onto or from the hills.

Neither Wild and Exotic nor the operators or suppliers can accept any responsibility for changes to itineraries or dates that may arise due to weather or unforeseen circumstances such as changes, disruptions or delays to airline flights for whatever reason. This holiday is subject to Wild and Exotic's terms and conditions, a copy of which will be enclosed with your booking form.

Wild and Exotic fact sheet for Bitterroot Ranch in Wyoming 

Accommodation: The ranch can accommodate up to 30 people in twelve charming cabins, each with private bathrooms and electric heating. Many rooms have wood burning stoves and views of the surrounding mountains. They are situated on either side of a trout filled stream to take advantage of the ranch's natural feel and remote location. Guests gather in the main lodge for meals and relaxing evenings.

Activities: Although an emphasis is placed on riding, there are a variety of activities on offer around Bitterroot:

Cattle Drives: The Bitterroot cattle graze on the adjacent national forest land from July to October. Guests who ride well enough can help the cowboys with the challenging work of herding the cows into the mountains the first week of July and rounding them up again the last week of September. The cattle are spread out over fifty square miles of high mountains, forests, clearings and river valleys so that riders are often off the beaten path in country where one encounters wild game like elk, deer, moose, and grizzly bear. During both weeks guests will return to their cabins each night and have breakfast and dinner in the main lodge.  All cabins have their own private baths and electric heat and there is a hot tub at the lodge. Guests can participate in the cattle work as much or as little as they wish.  Other options are fishing, hiking or relaxing. The itinerary for these rides is subject to change and totally dependent upon the location of the cattle. Riders participate in the routine of a working cowboy gathering scattered herds, driving them to and from summer pasture, and sorting animals. This work is varied and unpredictable but requires long hours in the saddle. Please note that weather, unexpected movements of cattle or Forest Service instruction could change plans at short notice.

Fly Fishing: There are some excellent opportunities to fly fish for trout on our own private stream, in our well stocked ponds and in neighboring lakes and streams. The Dubois area gets much less fishing pressure than Jackson Hole or almost anywhere in states like Montana, Colorado and Idaho. The East Fork of the Wind River runs through the ranch for over a mile and holds many cutthroat trout between 8 and 14 inches although they have been caught up to 20. Our private stream is for catch and release only.

For five miles above the ranch the stream flows through a steep, spectacular gorge lined by rocky cliffs towering over a thousand feet above the stream in places. Below the ranch the stream enters another gorge which is not as steep for three miles where there are some lovely pools. We also have two stocked ponds with rainbow trout up to five lbs. which are ideal for practicing fly casting and learning to play large trout. On the south side of the Wind River Valley most of the streams stay clear all year. Torrey Creek is about a 45 minute drive from the ranch. It connects three beautiful lakes which are up to a mile long and hold some fine rainbows and browns.

Pack trips: The Bitterroot Ranch has an ideal location for pack trips into the spectacular wilderness of Wyoming. The Ranch borders the Shoshone National Forest which extends to the borders of Yellowstone Park and is part of the largest wild ecosystem remaining in the lower 48 states. Pack trips enable you to explore the wildest parts of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem near the Continental Divide. The best way to experience the full majesty of this country is by traveling on horseback with pack animals to set up camps in the remote heart of the wilderness. A cook and wrangler provide excellent service. The route of your pack trip takes you over spectacular passes of between 11,000 and 12,000 feet and through pristine mountain valleys with little human presence. The mighty rivers of America have their beginnings here as tiny springs. Each valley has its own distinct character with meadows of lupine in one and craggy cliffs in another. On longer pack trips we will camp in the same spot for two nights to allow guests to ride out for the day, hike, fish, or just relax. This wonderful adventure provides an opportunity to see this glorious, untamed landscape which is unchanged since the early explorers found it. Guests staying at the ranch can book a two- or three-day pack trip.

White water rafting: This is best at the Snake River near Jackson which is a two hour drive from Bitterroot Ranch.  The best idea is to stop in Jackson before or after a stay at Bitterroot. 

Breeding and training: The ranch herd is made up of many different breeds including Quarter Horses, Mustangs, Percherons, Appaloosas, Icelandic Horses and crosses. We raise friendly, sensible, purebred Arabians which have proved excellent for trail riding and herding cattle as well as taking jumps on our cross country course. In training the young horses we use the non confrontational techniques of Linda Tellington-Jones who has been coming to the ranch for many years to start our young Arabians.

Children: Discount of 25% for children between the ages of 4 and 15.

Cross country course: A cross country course is available with over 80 jumps which advanced riders can try during the week. It is not an intimidating course since no jump is more than three feet, but there is a wide variety of obstacles including ditches, drops, oxers, pickets, coops and walls.

Food: While the emphasis at our ranch is on horses and riding, we feel that culinary enjoyment is also a vital part of your vacation and make a special effort with our cuisine. Salads come fresh from the garden, ranch raised beef and lamb are served, and bread is baked in the kitchen. Wine is provided at cocktails and with dinner. We also cater to special diets with prior notice.

Getting there: Riverton airport is one and half hours drive from Bitterroot Ranch and Jacksons airport is two hours drive away. Cars may be hired at both airports and taxis will collect and transfer guests to area airports given advance notice.

Horses: Local ranch bred.

Non-riders: There is a large discount for non-riders. Please contact Wild and Exotic for the latest rates for non-riders. Those who come primarily to fish will have more flexibility if they bring a car.

Insurance: Essential.

Length of rides: Riding on pack trips is between 6 - 7 hours per day.

Owner participation: The Fox Family feels that the quality of our equestrian program is of paramount importance; therefore Mel, Bayard and Richard lead rides personally nearly every day.

Pace of rides: Mostly slow, sometimes challenging.

Ride safety: Your safety is taken seriously. We keep rides small, carefully match horses to riders, ensure that people of similar skills ride together and train ride leaders carefully. We insist that everyone wear a hard hat and our trail guides carry mobile phones to summon help in case it is needed.

Single supplement: Mandatory for all guests booking alone.

Size of rides: Minimum of 4 people and a maximum of 8 people. One to two day rides are based on a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 people.

Tack: Our horses are trained Western so they are used to neck reining and going on a loose rein. We use mainly Western saddles, but there are also English saddles for those who have independent seats and hands. Each horse has its own bridle and we are very careful to use saddles which fit the horse well. This is more of a problem with English tack as our horses tend to be rather wide. We have had the most luck with saddles from the Arabian Saddle Co., Frank Baines and Sharon Saare endurance saddles.

Trail riding: This is a land of vast expanses which offers you an exceptional variety of riding terrain. Sagebrush plains, grassy meadows and rocky canyons give way to pine clad mountains with Alpine clearings. Spectacular new views keep opening up and perpetually snow clad mountains are usually in view. You seldom see other people on these riding adventures since we are 17 miles from the nearest paved road and four miles from the nearest neighbour. To the north we border the Shoshone National Forest and our trails there lead quickly into wilderness. The next ranch in that direction is 50 miles away. There are several historical and geological sites which provide interesting destinations for riding tours. One is an old hideout of Butch Cassidy and another is an area in the badlands where many petrified bones of prehistoric animals can be seen. Early in the season a profusion of wildflowers embellishes our trails. We frequently cross the beautiful East Fork of the Wind River which flows through the centre of the ranch and is excellent for fishing.

Weather: The best time to visit Wyoming is between the months of June and September. In Jackson, the average summer temperature is 65 F, but can go as high as 80. Bighorn, at Burgess Junction, the average July temperature is 55 F. All of this differential weather is due to the range of elevation in Wyoming. From, the Belle Fourche River Valley in the state's northeast corner, at 3,125 feet, to summit of Gannett Peak in the Wind River Mountains, at 13,804 feet. The range of temperature is mostly due to the fact that Wyoming is far from any moderating influence of oceans.

Weight limit: A weight limit of 200 lbs applies for all riders.