Classic Cowboy Weekend

Day 1: Activities start on Friday evening with a cowboy dinner and campfire at 8 p.m. in a remote, meadow far from the hustle and bustle of city life. After eating and meeting your new friends in and around our grand mountaineering yurt, you will claim your own cabin tent (with comfortable cot) and then join us for beverages and tall tales around the flickering glow of the campfire.

Day 2: Matched up to a suitable cow pony, 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 principals of 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 stony 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, reminiscent of a Remington painting, we find the cows munching contently on native bunch grass, unsuspecting that their work day has just begun. Later, the morning drive completed, ponies watered and resting, the cow herd milling apprehensively about in the corrals.... we pull our hats down tight, throw down a last cup of bitter cowboy coffee and head into the arena to learn and practice 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!
In the evening, after you've showered, you and your friends can play volleyball or horse shoes, roast yourselves in the sweat lodge, or read and relax with a favorite beverage while a BBQ dinner is prepared. On this, your second night, you'll feel more comfortable with the outdoors, sleep a little easier, and really feel the magic of the Ranch life take ahold of you. Enjoy a night around the campfire telling stories or enjoying the quiet wilderness solitude under the stars.

Day 3: Sunday begins with a scrumptious breakfast and pots of cowboy coffee. We then continue 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? .... If you must fly out that evening, please do not schedule a flight before 8:30 p.m., to make certain you can make your flight.

Great Escape Weekend

Day 1: Activities start on Friday evening with a cowboy dinner and campfire at 8 p.m. in a remote, meadow far from the hustle and bustle of city life. After eating and meeting your new friends in and around our grand mountaineering yurt, you will claim your own cabin tent (with comfortable cot) and then join us for beverages and tall tales around the flickering glow of the campfire.

Day 2: Saturday commences with a riding lesson and careful match up of horse to rider. After a hearty breakfast, the day ride begins around our 3,500 acre Bear Basin Ranch nestled in the ancient Wet Mountains and with spectacular views of the awesome Sangre de Cristos range some 40 miles to the West. Lunch is served on the trail. In the afternoon we may well be surprised by a sudden but brief rain or hail shower - just the thing to cool of and wash away some of the dust. Depending on your stamina and the weather, the day-ride generally lasts five to six hours.

In the evening, after you've showered, you and your friends can play volleyball or horseshoes, roast yourselves in the sweatlodge, or read and relax with a favorite beverage while a BBQ dinner is prepared. On this, your second night, you'll feel more comfortable with the outdoors, sleep a little easier, and really feel the magic of the Ranch life take ahold of you. Enjoy a night around the campfire telling stories or enjoying the quiet wilderness solitude under the stars.

Day 3: Sunday begins with a scrumptious breakfast and pots of cowboy coffee. We then head the short miles back to the main ranch area for our second chance to play with our four footed friends. We'll saddle up again for a half-day ride, testing and challenging the skills we learned the day before.

After the ride we go back to the camp for a well-earned lunch. Then its time to pack up for your drive back. Come back soon!!

'Saddle and Paddle' Weekend

Day 1: You will arrive Friday evening to claim your own cabin tent with comfortable cot then join us for beverages and tall tales around the flickering glow of the campfire.

Day 2: Saturday the day ride commences with a riding lesson and careful match up of horse to rider. Lunch is served on the trail. The day ride is generally five or six hours. Play volley ball and horseshoes or prepare a sweatlodge while an evening meal is prepared at Camp. Enjoy a night around the campfire telling stories or enjoying the quiet wilderness solitude under the stars.

Day 3: Sunday begins with an early breakfast and 7:30am departure for the river base (Raven Rafting). You will need to provide your own transportation to the river. The group will be formed into teams of about six each. Instruction is given on safety and the commands you will be following from the captain of each boat. Each person has a paddle and participates. By the end of an exciting day of whitewater thrills you will be a well-tuned crew. You will conquer rapids such as Zoom Flume, Raft Ripper, Widow Maker, and Seidels Suckhole in the remote section of the Arkansas called Brown's Canyon. Or, sign up for a wild adventure rafting 20 miles of the best whitewater in Colorado in the Royal Gorge. A picnic lunch is served along the river. The day ends 3-4 p.m. for the drive back home.

** THESE ARE SAMPLE ITINERARIES.
Based upon guests' needs and experience, we have designed custom programs to offer more intensive instruction, additional days, more difficult routes, etc. We have designed programs for many groups and organizations and would be happy to work with yours. Subject to change

Most of Colorado has a cool and invigorating climate that could be termed a highland or mountain climate of a continental location. During summer there are hot days in the plains, but these are often relieved by afternoon thundershowers.
Mountain regions are nearly always cool. Humidity is generally quite low; this favors rapid evapotranspiration and a relatively comfortable feeling even on hot days. The thin atmosphere allows greater penetration of solar radiation and results in pleasant daytime conditions even during the winter. 
The rugged topography of western Colorado causes large variations in climate within short distances, and few climatic generalizations apply to the whole area. At the summits of mountains, temperatures are low, averaging less than 32° F over the year. Snow-covered mountain peaks and valleys often have very cold nighttime temperatures in winter, when skies are clear and the air is still – occasionally to 50° F below zero. Summer in the mountains is a cool and refreshing season. At typical mountain stations the average July temperature is in the neighborhood of 60° F. The highest temperatures are usually in the seventies and eighties, but may reach 90° F to 95° F. Above 7,000 feet, the nights are quite cool throughout the summer, while bright sunshine makes the days comfortably warm.

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!

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).

DO I NEED TO BE AN EXPERIENCED RIDER?
No...anyone with a bit of basic horse experience can learn and enjoy the weekend. We recommend that participants have 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 through fun activities.

Tack:		Western
Horses:		Appaloosa and Quarter
Pace:		all paces
Level:		(2 to 4 out of 5)    Novice to advanced
Age:		Min 7
Weight:		Max 250
Riders:		Min 4	Max 12

DO I NEED TO BE AN EXPERIENCED RIDER?
No...anyone with a bit of basic horse experience can learn and enjoy the weekend. We recommend that participants have 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 through fun activities.

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.