Medicine Lodge Horse Drive

Introduction
Idaho USA
If you have ever rounded up and driven horses in miles of open country, you know it's not just a ride in the park! Driving horses 20 miles a day through all kinds of terrain is a real adventure! It's possibly the most exciting thing you have ever done on horseback. It can be hot and it can be cold, it can be wet or dry or dusty, it can be fast and then slow, it can be challenging yet relaxing. It's a horse drive and anything can happen because it's the real thing!

Lynn, Lana and their family invite you to join them on selected dates and act as a wrangler as you participate in driving approximately 40 horses through miles of open country to their spring, summer or fall pastures. You will ride in an area of natural beauty with abundant wildlife including elk, bald headed eagles, coyotes and ground hogs. In the mornings you will awake to the smell of fresh coffee brewing over the fire and sizzling hot cakes on the griddle! Life just doesn’t get any better than this! During the day we round-up and drive the horses through desert canyon country and explore the fascinating countryside. At the end of the day there will not be a more welcome sight than riding over the ridge with the herd of horses, and spotting the chuck wagon and camp waiting for us.  Dinner is cooked over the open fire, a perfect end to another perfect day, with a hot and delicious meal, new friends and lots of stories and laughter about the day’s adventures! You will no doubt be ready to retire for the evening afterward to your tent or sleep under the stars if you wish, it's exhilarating!

If you're looking for a fast paced cowboy adventure filled with hard working fun, a Medicine Lodge Horse Drive is just the thing for you. Your accommodations are simple yet nice, well suited to the sort of  rustic fun vacation we offer. There is no electricity at the ranch, all rooms and cabins have propane lighting. The hot outdoor shower is a favorite for all guests. During the May trip dates we drive 80 to 100 head of horses from the winter to the summer pastures - on all other dates we drive 40 to 50 horses between the summer and fall pastures.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a horse drive where you will spend a combination of nights in a bunkhouse and camping.

Description
You will be spending 3 nights in a bunkhouse 'Cow Camp' and 2 nights camping.
Please, note that there is no cellphone coverage and no Wi-Fi available during this trip!

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Cow Camp (Ranch)
Night 3-5: Camping
Night 6: Cow Camp (Ranch)


Cow Camp
The accommodations are very simple, yet quite nice at the same time. The buildings are kept very clean. There is NO electricity at the ranch - all rooms and cabins have propane lighting. The hot shower is a favorite for all guests - it is outdoors on 6'x6' redwood floors with redwood sides for privacy -  like in the Old Western movies!  At first if you think this is too rustic for you, but you may be very pleasantly surprised how much you come to love it! The bathrooms are outhouse style, but kept very clean for your use. There is a log cook cabin with a kitchen and a dining and living room for relaxing and socializing in. There is no smoking in the cabins or rooms! We have a designated area called "Marlboro Country" if you would like a cigarette! There will be no cell phone reception at the ranch or the drive!

Room options
-5 rooms in the bunkhouse (2 guests per rooms)
-2 cabins (3-4 riders per cabin)
-2 full-size beds and one in the loft each


Camping
The tents sleep 2 to 4 riders per tent. We use Spring Bar canvas tents. You will be sleeping on the ground, but we provide you with ground mat, sleeping bags, and a pillow. However, feel free to bring your own if you prefer.  There is an outhouse tent for a toilet at each camp, kept clean at all times.  If you want to bathe, you can use the nearby springs or creek.  Please bring biodegradable soap if possible!

Room Occupancy
Triple occupancy is possible in the bunkhouse and tents.
If you are traveling as a solo rider, we will pair you with a rider of the same gender. If you are completely uncomfortable sharing your accommodation please let us know before hand and we will see what we can do.




Meals
All meals are included in this trip from dinner on the first day to breakfast on the last day.

The food is home-style and locally grown- guarantee to fill you up and leave you satisfied! Meals will be cooked on the fire and in our chuck wagon. We will eat on the trail around the campfire.

If you would like a cold beer, glass of wine, rum and Coke etc after a long day of riding, please bring your own alcohol. 

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to most dietary restrictions with prior notice.

Riding

Riding Experience
You must be a strong rider!! Please do not overestimate your skills - if you have any reservations we highly recommend taking some riding lessons to brush up! There are many awesome gallops, trees and steep hills to navigate! If you are up to the challenge, it is a ride of a life time!

Pace
We cover approximately 15-20 miles per day on horseback from 5-6 hours. We ride at all paces.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Monday): Arrival
We will pick you up for 3:30pm from Idaho Falls, or feel free to drive to our ranch to arrive around 5:00pm. Meet and greet with other riders and be assigned to your cabin. Enjoy our welcome dinner and feel free to enjoy some ranch activities such as rope, horse shoes, hiking, or simply relaxing. (no riding)
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Cow Camp

Day 2 (Tuesday): Introductory Ride
Meet your mount and listen to our riding instructions. Then, spend the day riding through mountain terrain (making sure every rider is confident at a walk, trot, and lope). We want you to trust your horse completely before leaving for the horse drive.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Cow Camp

Day 3 (Wednesday): Start of Horse Drive
You will enjoy a hearty breakfast and pack your bags for the horse drive. Remember to pack enough clothing for 2 full days of camping! We drive the herd from Middle Creek to Warm Springs campsite. Our gear will meet us at the campsite and we unload and prepare for dinner. Camp activities include bathing in natural warm springs, enjoying the campfire, playing games/ songs, and enjoying starry skies. This will be your first night in the tents.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at Warm Springs

Day 4 (Thursday): Horse Drive from Warm Springs to Weber Creek
Wake up surrounded in the beauty of nature and start your day with a delicious breakfast! Today we leave Warm Springs and head to Weber Creek campsite. Today's drive will be steeper and more scenic than the day before. 
Upon arriving at the Weber Camp you’ll find that your bedding and gear are already set up and waiting for you.
Dinner & activities in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping at Weber Creek

Day 5 (Friday): Horse Drive from Weber Creek to the Ranch
After another great breakfast, we will help break camp, gather and saddle our horses. Round up the herd and get them headed to their final destination - the ranch! You will arrive back to the ranch for that hot outdoor shower and a cold drink, rewards for a job well done! We will end the day with a farewell dinner, lots of stories and a good nights rest in your cabin.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Cow Camp

Day 6 (Saturday): Departure
By now you have rode many miles and go back with memories for a lifetime. When you return to the fast paced life of the city you will close your eyes, smell the coffee and the fresh mountain air, see yourself riding through the beautiful mountain ranges of Medicine Lodge Idaho, and this will get you through until we see you next time!  
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Medicine Lodge Horse Drive

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Ranch near Dubois or airport 3:30PM
Airport: Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA)
Transfer: Idaho Falls

Climate:
                                                Dubois area