Gila Wilderness Ride, Nature Expedition
A gently guided  horseback  adventure into the Gila
New Mexico Riding Adventures

Experience the Gila Wilderness and Gila National Forest on horse back. Ride through the vast canyons and mountains of the Gila region. Discover ancient Native American Indian culture, flora, and wildlife. The Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness of southwestern New Mexico, USA - is one of the most spectacular and remote regions in the Southwest. Step back in Time...take a journey your heart and mind will not soon forget ... Join us for a customized eco-tour, a gently guided horseback nature vacation adventure, a trip into pristine wilderness to explore the plants, animals and geological wonders of the amazing New Mexico region. Your trails are made -- not followed! From the comfort of your rustic cabin accommodation, you will be presented with an exclusive opportunity to experience a virtual ecological paradise for those seeking absolute solitude and escape from modern society's busy, stress-filled lifestyle. Imagine yourself standing on top of a high, remote peak in the Pinos Altos Mountain Range, spectacular New Mexico vistas surrounding you, all the way into Arizona. You can feel Nature in all her complete perfection! Intensely blue skies, crisp clean air and the only sound is an eagle's wings, the wind gently caressing the trees and silence. As late as 1924, trails were practically non-existent in this area and the grizzly bear still ruled. Not much has changed in this incredible wilderness setting! Refresh and revitalize your spirit simply by feeling its grandeur, purity and remoteness. No one knows exactly when the first human settlers came to the Gila Region. However, the presence of man and machine has been extremely limited, even through today. You can begin a unique journey back through thousands of years, experiencing wild lands on the back of a gentle, safe horse.

RTNM04 
Rates include accommodations, all meals, nature guide and daily excursions on horseback, 5 riding days
7 days/ 6 nights
Dates 2008:     $ 1,290   Single +$0
09/07-09/13    09/14-09/20    09/21-09/27
09/28-10/04    10/05-10/11    10/26-11/01
11/09-11/15    11/16-11/22    11/23-11/29
11/30-12/06    12/07-12/13    12/14-12/20
12/21-12/27    12/28-01/03
Dates 2009:     $ 1,595   Single +$0
01/04-01/10   01/11-01/17   01/18-01/24
02/01-02/07   02/15-02/21   02/22-02/28
03/01-03/07   03/08-03/14   03/29-04/04
04/05-04/11   04/12-04/18   04/19-04/25
04/26-05/02   05/03-05/09   05/17-05/23
05/31-06/06   06/07-06/13   06/14-06/20
06/21-06/27   06/28-07/04   07/05-07/11
07/12-07/18   07/19-07/25   07/26-08/01
08/02-08/08   08/09-08/15   08/16-08/22
08/23-08/29   08/30-09/05   09/06-09/12
09/13-09/19   09/20-09/26   10/04-10/10
10/11-10/17   10/18-10/24   10/25-10/31
11/01-11/07   11/08-11/14   11/15-11/21
11/22-11/28   11/29-12/05   12/06-12/12
12/13-12/19   12/20-12/26   12/27-01/02
   availability & reservation
Tax:            6%      
Gratuity:    15%
Meeting:     Gila
Airport:      Silver City
Transfer:    $50 rt from Silver City.
Pick up at 5:30 PM ... drop off at 8:30 AM

Horses:      Quarter
Tack:         Western
Level:        Low intermediate+
Min/Max Riders: 2-12.
If only 1 rider signs up... $150 surcharge
Note: The ranch is a 3 hour drive from El Paso
  see  Slide Show

Accommodations:
You will stay in comfortable, rustic cabins and guest houses. Each guest house is equipped with comfortable queen sized beds, thick down comforters, full baths, plush towels.
  see details on lodging

Led by Mark Rinsler or another qualified staff member, you'll travel by horseback from ranch headquarters to the base of the Pinos Altos Mountain Range. As an avid horseman, Mark is as passionate about riding horses as the day is long. When he is not in the saddle exploring new horse trails, he is out hiking through the canyons and valleys of the Gila Region in his quest to find hidden Native American sites. With a degree in cultural anthropology and a Masters in Journalism, Mark is relentless in his desire to learn about the history of the Old West, the world of Nature in the Southwest and Native American Culture in the Gila Wilderness region. Mark will show you some of the most stunning wilderness vistas imaginable! Or, share his exploration of ancient Native American village sites located along Bear Creek. Your horse will be steady and sure-footed, willing to carry you there and beyond. Gila Wilderness Expeditions uses horses which are seasoned and safe in the mountains and rocky, rugged terrain of southwestern New Mexico and the Gila National Forest Region. Covering several diverse ecological zones, the wildlife and vegetation are abundant. Because of the isolation and the lack of human presence, including roads and motorized vehicles, the terrain traversed during the Gila Nature Expedition truly is a wilderness. As a result, almost all of the animals of the Upland Desert and Southern Rocky Mountains can be found here and can be seen most any time. Included are Javelina, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Bighorn Sheep, and Coyote. Close-up sightings of the elusive and rare Coati are not uncommon. Environmentally aware of the importance of this natural resource and in our own efforts to preserve the pristine beauty of this land, Gila Wilderness Nature Rides specialize in "leave no trace" exploration and insist all adventurers responsibly bring out what they pack in. For those desiring to surround themselves with the beauty of this rugged landscape, the Gila Wilderness Nature Ride will take you on gentle, seasoned horses through rugged, pristine canyons and mountains lying within the magnificent Bear Creek and Greenwood Canyon drainage systems, and along the western edge of the legendary Gila Wilderness in southwest New Mexico. Consisting of several relaxing loop journeys, travel back in time through 30 million years on land that eventually became one of the early pioneer ranches established near the end of the Apache Wars in 1886. You will have an exclusive opportunity to explore areas accessible by invitation only, isolated and remote. This area is now known as the Double E Ranch. You will begin your journey each morning from Ranch Headquarters and return each evening to the comfort of your cozy, rustic cabin and a hearty home cooked meal.
Four gentle seasons best describe the climatic conditions in the Gila National Forest, Gila Wilderness areas. The latitude, as well as the 5,000 - 7,000 foot elevation permits maximum enjoyment of the region during any season. Whether winter or summer, daytime temperatures are generally pleasant for hiking or horseback riding, and range from the high 80's in summer to mid-40's in winter. The area enjoys an average of 345 days of glorious sunshine and clear blue skies annually.
During this customized Gila Nature Expedition, you will have the opportunity to explore three primary plant communities and habitats:
The riparian zone of Bear Creek, is characterized by magnificent, lush old growth cottonwoods and sycamores, ash, walnut, willow, gray oak and hackberry.
The Chihuahuan and Sonoran deserts reach into the Gila, contributing to the dominant upland desert plant zone found over the plateaus, hills and lower mountains, and is characterized by juniper, pinion, scrub oak, yucca, agaves, mesquite, and prickly pear and cholla cactus.
The majestic Rocky Mountains terminate in the Gila Forest, as do the Sierra Madre Mountains which stretch north from Old Mexico. The lower Greenwood Canyon drainage is an isolated high mountain valley and upper slope transitional zone characterized by ponderosa pine, Douglas Fir, giant manzanita and Gamble's Oak.
Bird, animal and insect life is abundant and varied and presents a constantly changing cast of characters and activities depending on the time of year. The area is truly a Birder's Paradise, providing sanctuary for Golden Eagles, Rufous Hummingbirds, Great Blue Herons, Greater Roadrunners, Summer Tanagers, Cardinals to name but a few.
 

Because of the isolation and the lack of human presence, including roads and motorized vehicles, the terrain traversed during the Nature Expedition truly is a wilderness. As a result, almost all of the animals of the Upland Desert and Southern Rocky Mountains can be found here and can be seen most any time. Included are Javelina, Mule Deer, Black Bear, Bobcat, Mountain Lion, Bighorn Sheep, and Coyote. Close-up sightings of the elusive and rare Coatimundi are not uncommon.
As you might expect, most of the reptiles typical of the Upland Desert are here, too — lizards of all sizes, rattlesnakes, bull snakes, and horned toads. For those interested in insects, the insects of the Gila region are remarkable! Butterflies, beetles, scorpions and the primal-looking vinagaroon are all present.
The geology of the Gila consists primarily of a complex and diverse assemblage of Tertiary volcanic tuffs, flows and intruesives which date between 20 and 35 million years old. One New Mexico geologist once observed that it is "complex to the point of perplexity".
Agate, crystalline quartz, obsidian, fluorite, zeolites, geodes and other collectible rock and mineral specimens occur in abundance over the land surface and along the river bottoms. During the time of volcanism, vast quantities of igneous material were deposited in the Gila Wilderness area. The extent and magnitude of these eruptions is difficult to comprehend, but nearly 2,500 square miles were subject to these cataclysmic events.

PRE-HISTORIC CULTURES ...
Before the Apaches, the region was home to the Mimbrenos, an advanced pre-historic Indian culture. Highly artistic, they are known for their exquisite black-on-white pottery featuring nature motifs
The Mimbrenos made their homes farming and hunting along the Gila River and Bear Creek, living in pit houses, shallow caves and small cliff dwellings. Earlier Indian cultures most certainly lived in the area. Limited evidence of hunting by the earliest inhabitants(9500-6000BC) has been found in several highland areas. Widespread evidence of the Archaic Culture, which is considered part of the Cochise Culture dating from 6000 BC to 300 AD, has been found in the region.
APACHES, PIONEERS AND RANCHING ...
It has only been 114 years since the Apache Chief Geronimo's surrender permitted miners and homesteaders to explore and settle the Gila-Bear Creek region without fear of Indian attack. Geronimo, Cochise, Mangus Coloradas, and Victorio knew Bear Creek, the Gila River and the Gila Wilderness well. The countless side canyons and adjoining peaks provided a vast natural safe haven during their People's fight. The roughness of the land probably contributed to the Apache cultural stability, keeping the push of newcomers to a minimum. However, homesteaders and ranchers eventually moved into the Gila Valley and the area was opened for exploration and settlement. In the late 1990s, the Ranch was acquired by Alan and Debbie Eggleston, your hosts for the Gila Wilderness Nature Expedition.

All participants should be in good physical condition and capable of being on horseback or hiking for a minimum of 6 hours each day. A combination of hiking and horseback riding is encouraged.