Transfer Option:

Santa Rita Mountains - Week 1
Day 1  Sat.: Pick up at Tucson International Airport at 7:00 PM and transport by van to our first camp site in the Huachuca Mountains near Parker Canyon Lake (2 hour drive). Pick up at Airport can be earlier if ALL guests arrive at an earlier time or previous day (please advise Hidden Trails of your arrival time in Tucson as soon as possible).
Day 2  Sun.: Introduction and pre-ride meeting at breakfast, then select or be matched with your horse for the trail. You will then tack up your horse (guides and wranglers will help if your not acquainted with western tack) for a short loop ride (8 -10 miles ) in the Huachucas to help get familiar with your horse and the type of terrain you’ll be riding in.
Day 3  Mon.: After a good hot breakfast and coffee, we ride west along the Arizona Trail into the Canelo Hills to Canelo Pass following old mining roads over grass covered hillsand scenic canyons where we camp for the night in a canyon full of stars in the sky (make sure to have your camera ready for some great Kodak moments).
Day 4. Tue.: We saddle up and head toward historic Patagonia where we ride through town and up the mountain to our next camp at Gringo Gulch (lots of scenery and a few mines to see along this ride.)
Day 5. Wed.: After another great filling breakfast we head out on the Arizona Trail to Gardner Canyon below Mt. Wrightson. Part of this trail will take us along a historic and ingenious viaduct into Gardner Canyon where we will camp at an old working ranch corral for the next couple of days.
Day 6 Thu.: Today’s ride will lead us over old mining roads up into the Mt. Wrightson Wilderness area. We’ll be climbing another 2000 ft. on a small mountain trail and descend into Gardner Canyon via a historic aqueduct. Camp in Gardner Canyon. (25 miles)
Day 7, Fri.: This will be the last ride for "week 1" guests.  This ride will be nice and relaxing on relatively level terrain. We’ll stop at Kentucky Camp, (a historic mining camp) for lunch and then ride through oak pine and rich grass lands to Greaterville where we will camp for the night. (18 miles) For "Week One" riders: Transfer to the airport hotel in Tuscon after dinner.  A hotel shuttle will take you to the airport the next day. 

Superstition Mountains - Week 2
Day 8 Sat.: Today we’ll transport to Battleaxe Road near the Gila River. In the afternoon we’ll take a short ride along the Arizona trail through Saguaro covered hills to the Gila River for a swim. (10 miles)
In the evening we will meet the riders that booked the 2nd week only. The pick up for the 2nd week riders is at 7 PM from the Phoenix airport.
Day 9  Sun.: This ride will lead us over old cowboy trails from White Canyon to Picketpost Mountain. We will encounter beautiful yellow and ochre stratified rock outcroppings and other fantastic movie worthy rock formations. ( 2000 ft. elevation change. (16 miles )
Day 10. Mon.: We will make a loop ride around some old mines and beautiful scenic hills and canyons on the Arizona Trail. Again you will need your camera ready. This is an easy ride and preparatory for the next days ride.
Day 11. Tue.: Today is an early start day. We will make a long ride up Queen Creek, across some beautiful landscape to Frazier Canyon where we will turn west into the canyon and follow it deeper into the Superstitions and some really rugged terrain before we come out at our next camp at Peralta Trail head.
Day 12. Wed.: After yesterdays long ride, today is set aside for a late breakfast and leisurely ride to an ancient hieroglyphic canyon and return to camp to relax and enjoy a gorgeous sunset before supper.
Day 13  Thu.: We’ll ride further through the wilderness area up and into several scenic canyons passing by weaver’s needle. Camp will be at first water. (25 miles)
Day 14  Fri.: We’ll ride Bolder Canyon Trail to Canyon Lake. The end of the trail takes us back to camp where we will enjoy a farewell dinner before loading up and heading to Phoenix for our last night and long hot shower.
Day 15  Sat.: Hotel shuttle to the airport in the morning.

Remember that desert nights can be cool!  Our Arizona climate can sometimes be very unpredictable especially during early spring and late fall.

 Climate the Catalina and Rincon Mountains

Average Precipitation: 27" on peaks; 12" at base
Average High/Low Winter Temperatures (°F): 35/20 on peaks; 65/39 at base
Average High/Low Summer Temperatures (°F): 75/50 on peaks; 101/73 at base

Roomy three season tents w/cots and pillows (we also have spare sleeping bags for anyone needing the extra warmth on the cold desert nights). A hot shower facility in one of the support vehicles. Hot water is always available from a large pot and wash bains to accommodate those wishing only to shave or freshen up. Although there will always be water to use, please remember that it is a precious commodity here in the desert 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 ride. Beef, pork, chicken, or spaghetti, with fresh vegetables, bread or rolls, potatoes or rice and an occasional southwest meals for dinner are served family style around a table. Breakfast menus consist of eggs, pancakes, toast, Bisquits, potatoes and gravy bacon and sausage, juice and a lot of coffee, tea, and cocoa.
Drinking water and water bottles are provided; flavored drink mix (iced tea and fruit punch) and electrolytes are also provided and you are encouraged to use them here in this southwest heat.

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

You should be able to walk, trot and canter and should be in good physical condition able to ride 6-8 hours per day for most of our trails. We do take breaks every hour to stretch our legs, but the pace can be quite challenging with long stretches of trotting and cantering where the terrain allows. 

Cantle bags, saddlebags and canteens will be provided. You will choose your mount in the beginning of the trail, which will be yours for the rest of  your time with us. You will be expected to groom and saddle your horse ( of course we'll help you and make sure everything is how it should be) as this is part of forming a bond between you and your 'partner'.

Tack:		Western Hackamoress
Horses:		Missouri Foxtrotters, Arabian and Arab/Foxtrotter mix, Tennesse Walker
Pace:		Some long riding days. Forward going ride. The gaited horses will not gait throughout the trip. Steep mountain trails. | Walk | Trot | Canter | Gallop |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 16
Weight:		Max 210
Riders:		Min 5 riders	Max 10 riders

You should be able to walk, trot and canter and should be in good physical condition able to ride 6-8 hours per day for most of our trails. We do take breaks every hour to stretch our legs, but the pace can be quite challenging with long stretches of trotting and cantering where the terrain allows. 

Cantle bags, saddlebags and canteens will be provided. You will choose your mount in the beginning of the trail, which will be yours for the rest of  your time with us. You will be expected to groom and saddle your horse ( of course we'll help you and make sure everything is how it should be) as this is part of forming a bond between you and your 'partner'.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.