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Join us and let us lead you on a nature-focused
horseback riding adventure your senses will not soon forget. Then as the
sun begins to lower on an enchanted New Mexico horizon, casting a
brilliant orange and pink glow on the distant mountain range, lean back in
your rocker, stretch yourself out, try to count the stars exploding across
the New Mexico sky...space, solitude, peace.
This is a customized eco-tour, a gently guided horseback nature adventure,
exploring the plants, animals and geological wonders of one of the most
spectacular regions in the Southwest: The Gila National Forest and Gila
Wilderness of southwestern New Mexico, USA.
By stepping back in time from the comfort of your rustic cabin
accommodations at a local working ranch, 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 outdoors on top of a high, remote peak in the
Pinos Altos Mountain Range, spectacular vistas into Arizona, surrounded by
Nature in all its 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. The presence of man has been extremely limited. But, by using
the ranch as your staging site, you can begin a unique journey back
through thousands of years, experiencing wild lands on horseback.
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 Expeditions specialize in "leave no trace" exploration,
eco-travel and insist all adventurers responsibly bring out what they pack
in.
 RTNM04 
2006 Rates include accommodations, all meals, nature
guide and daily excursions on horseback
7 days/ 6 nights $ 1,495 Single+ $0
Tax: 6% Gratuity: 15%
Meeting: Gila
Airport: Silver City
Transfer: $50 return from Silver City
Horses:
Quarter
Tack:
Western
Level: Low intermediate+
Note: Minimum of 2 participants. The ranch is a 3 hour drive from El Paso
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
About Your Itinerary:
Ranch Staff works diligently to ensure your adventure is comfortable,
exciting and safe. You'll begin your adventure from the ranch headquarters
each morning, traveling 10-20 miles each day on horseback. Spend your days
riding through Nature and all her glory on experienced, gentle, seasoned
ranch horses, familiar with rocky, rugged, steep terrain. Picnic in
serenity under cobalt blue skies, surrounded by immense Ponderosa pines.
Ride back to the ranch in the late afternoon, finding all the comforts
offered by our cozy bunkhouses or a wonderfully luxurious casita.
Each guest house is equipped with comfortable queen sized beds, thick down
comforters, full baths, plush towels, microwave, coffee maker,
refrigerator. Some riding experience is recommended; however, you need not
be experienced.
The Gila Wilderness Nature Expedition will take you on gentle, seasoned
horses through rugged, pristine canyons and mountains lying within the
magnificent Bear Creek and Greenwood Canyon drainage systems, along the
western edge of the legendary Gila Wilderness in southwest New Mexico.
Consisting of several relaxing loop journeys through 30 million years on
land that 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.
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. |
Billy's Cabin
Ranch House
Rio Lobo Bunkhouse
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