August 1-7, 2004 : Pathfinder’s Ride

Monday, August 2, 2004

A big crew to travel the trails with, David from Alabama is our only veteran, this time he brought along his wife Carolyn. Jo is here from Wales , Terry from N.J. Diane and Lina from Indiana . Joe and Beth from Florida and Paul from California .

We all met at our jumping off point near Pietown N.M. we stayed the night at a nice little forest service campground. It started raining at about midnight , lazy me didn’t put up a tent. I just had a tarp tied to the horse trailer. It rained all night and I got pretty dang wet. The morning dawned grey and still raining. It wasn’t till about 10 am that we got a break in the clouds and the horses dried enough to saddle. Saddling and riding a wet horse is a sure way to a saddle sore. We were all mounting up getting ready to hit the trail when Paul got bucked off Whiskey. I had seen they weren’t getting along, he’s a very sensitive horse and Paul unfortunately pushed all the wrong buttons. He only bucked twice but it was enough to unseat him. He landed hard but with no injuries other than his pride. I went over what he did wrong and got him back up and they eventually worked out an understanding.

We headed down the Continental Divide trail under gloomy skies, which soon became a light rain, which was soon a downpour. It rained really hard for about two hours. In the middle of it we saw a big black bear turning over rocks. Everyone got a good look before it finally smelled us and took off at a lope. It was a shorter day than I had figured on, which was a good thing with the late start we got. We made it to camp about 4pm , looking forward to dry clothes and hot coffee. Just about the time we were feeling good here comes the rain again.

Tents couldn’t hold against the heavy downpour and things were once again all wet. But the wonderful rainbows and sunset made it almost worth it.

Hi 68 lo 51

Tuesday, August 3, 2004

We were up early braking camp and getting on our way. What a day it was! A lot longer than I had planned! The couple hours were pretty nice then we started climbing the mountains. And climb we did! The trail when it was there was steep and rough. At several points we had to dismount and lead our horses though some nasty areas. Then we got into an old forest fire area where we lost the trail all together among the tangle of downed timber. Finally found it and continued up. Along the way W.C. who was being ridden by Beth started acting up. When we got to the top I saw his gaskin was swollen and painful when I touched it. She swung up on Preacher and I led W.C. Up and down and around some 9,000-foot peaks. More than one time everyone had to get off and walk due to extremely steep and rocky terrain. We missed several thunderstorms that skirted by us, which was the last thing we needed. It wasn’t till after 7pm that we came within sight of camp. A welcome one it was!

Terry had gotten dehydrated and was feeling sick, it was decided she needed a hospital. Lyndsey along with Jo drove her the four hours to Silver City where she got a couple liters I.V. and was soon feeling better. They stayed over night. It was thanks to Diane’s generosity that it went smoothly, she had driven her brand new truck out from Indiana and was so kind to offer it’s use for the trip.

As we sat around the fire I offered a couple choices to the rest of the crew. A. We could continue on as we had planned knowing that the next day was going to be just as tough. B. We could trailer past the next days travel area and pick up in gentler country. C. We could trailer back to the ranch and spend the rest of the week working cattle. Everyone got a slip of paper to cast his or her vote. When I tallied it up it was a unanimous decision to go with plan C.

Hi 70 lo 52

Wednesday, August 4, 2004

We broke camp and loaded horses and saddles in the trailers and headed back to the ranch getting there about noon .

John took the crew out into 7HL hunting up some strays. They found a couple below Feathery Hill and headed towards Elladeane tank. Just about the time they got there thunderstorms were racing towards them. John abandoned the cattle and at a trot headed for home. They almost beat it but it was too fast for them and caught them while they were in the south trap. It was sparky! John had them dismount and as things got worse he announced “Assume the position” they turned the horses loose and crouched with their feet touching. Being in the open they walked over the ridge and into a small valley right above the H.Q. The horses stayed right were they had been turned loose not wanting to go anywhere. Rain, hail and lightning they got a full dose. Fortunately they were just a quarter mile from the H.Q. and when it let up a bit they walked on in. The horses later came in on their own. These folks sure are having an adventure. Joe later asked if a locust swarm was next.

During this time I went back out to camp and loaded the camping gear, which took all afternoon. Lyndsey, Terry and Jo also made it home during this time with Terry doing much better.

We had over three inches of rain here at the house.

Hi 65 lo 49

Thursday, August 5, 2004

Woke to another unusual rainy morning, it had started about 3 am and was at steady rain at 7 am . We had to wait till almost noon before we got a break long enough to get the horses backs dry and saddled. Then everyone headed out with John and Nina into 7HL to finish the job that had gotten rained out yesterday. They did a good job of it. Starting out in two groups they gathered about 30 head and pushed them all the way to the silver gate. The afternoon cleared off wonderfully and they had a perfect time getting home about 6:30 pm .

Lyndsey, Lesha, and I along with Diane hauled camp gear to Snow Canyon and set up camp there. We will be using it for the next month or so. It was just plain hot and humid there once the sun came out. But pretty…my oh my it sure is a sight. The pond is brimming full of good swimming water, the grass is knee high, wildflowers everywhere.

Hi 72 lo 48

Friday, August 6, 2004

We were out in good time riding in three groups. Lyndsey went to Burnt Cabin with David, Carolyn, Joe, Beth and Diane. They gathered about fifteen head and pushed them through the timber over Negrito Mountain leaving them at Dog Spring.

John and Nina went out with the rest of the crew into 7HL hunting up more strays there. I rode out with them a little ways and then split off going into Loco pasture checking a couple tanks for water, we are headed into that pasture with the cattle next week. Along the way I finally found the hole the cattle are going through to get back into 7HL from Negrito.

The thunderstorms built up early and were threatening as I climbed T Bar Ridge. After topping out I spotted John below me in the valley with the rest of the crew. There were a few head of cattle between us on the slope, which I pushed down into the herd of 20, or so they already had. We pushed them down the valley and then they took them all the way down T Bar Canyon. And put them through the gate into Loco Pasture. I split off again to head back and get some fencing material and tools to fix the hole.

When I got back a fella from the Slash ranch about 40 miles east of us was here looking for cattle, by the time we got done talking and looking at maps the thunderstorms and late time of day forced me to put it off for another day.

All the crews were in about 5pm , having had a great last day. It may have been a kinda wash out as far as the Pathfinder trip went but everyone agreed they enjoyed themselves even more doing a Ranch/ Pathfinder combo week, they got a bit of everything. It may be something I plan to do again in the future.

Hi 71 lo 47.