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Pack Trip WeekClick on SCHEDULE to the left to view the schedule for Pack Trip Weeks May 5-10, 2003 Monday, May 5, 2003 We had along with us Kathy from ma. Here for here fourth time, she brought along her brother Victor this time. Julian and his daughter Patty, he’s from Albq, she’s from Al. Rounding out the crew was Bob from Oh. Here for a third visit. Monday was a long day, too long perhaps. Frank and the crew rode from the ranch all the way out through 7HL, Pitchfork, and Canyon Creek, about 25 miles. Lyndsey and I met them at the Loco Mtn trial head when they came in about 7pm. We had trailered out the gear and the pack animals. Tuesday, May 6, 2003 After a comfortable night we were all up early and getting ready to drop off into the wilderness. But before we got going Bob insisted on putting on a show with the help of Chili. He was riding Cisco, leading Chili to water a long half-mile away. Out of the blue Chili bit Cisco on the ass and he set to bucking. Bob rode him well, for a few seconds then hit the ground. He skinned up his knuckles pretty good but he’s tough, and through it all he never lost his hat. Packing is always a slow process but we were on the trail by mid morning. Right out of camp we crested Loco Mtn and there before us was the breathtaking view of the wilderness spread out. We picked up trail 705 and headed across Aeroplane mesa. About three miles later we dropped hard and fast into the Middle Fork Canyon, the trail was kinda crumbly with rocks and steep with switchbacks. We could see the river shinning in the sunlight below beckoning us. When we hit the canyon bottom we found ourselves in another world. Behind us were the wind blown grass lands, here we found the Cottonwood trees leafing out, as well as the willows, the grass was lush and green and the sound of the river filled the air. We headed north up river another five miles and made camp at the confluence of the Middle fork of the Gila and Iron Creek. A nice streamside meadow and a cottonwood grove, it was picture perfect. Tents were quickly set up; a downed tree became the kitchen. We had packed an electric fence and made a large corral for the horses in the meadow. All the packhorses did great, W.C. was as good as they come; he never made a bad move. He made me proud of the little booger. That night as I drifted off to sleep under the stars I thought I could spend the rest of the week right there. In the morning when I proposed the idea it seemed everyone else was thinking the same thing. Wednesday, May 7, 2003 Thursday, May 8, 2003 Thursday we decided to pack up and head north to Snow Lake and then ride on into the ranch. I had mentioned all the cattle work to do and they decided on a day of that. I didn’t take the time to weigh the packs and paid for my laziness on the trail. When we headed out I was in front leading Ben, Frank was behind me with Rocky, Margie and W.C. strung out behind him. We had to stop and adjust Margie’s load a couple times in the first mile or so then the big wreak happened. I heard it start behind me and turned to see W.C. on his side rolling around, then he was up, then back down. The trail was going across a pretty good slope and he was fighting to keep from going down. I jumped off and quick tied my animals expecting him to come running through us. Frank was off his horse even faster cutting ropes. W.C. had an odd load of coolers and such but most worry some were 20, 4 ft fiberglass electric fence posts. It was only a minute before it was all over and W.C. was standing catching his breath. Luckily he didn’t shish kabob himself; he actually didn’t really have a scratch on him. When it was all figured out we discovered he’d didn’t cause the wreck. It was old Margie the number two animal, the old veteran, the one who has packed everything. She went the opposite way around a tree than Rocky the number one animal. When she got caught and snapped back W.C. plowed into her and got knocked off the trail. He stood quiet while we repacked and reorganized, we split the pack string up with the three of us and Kathy each leading a packhorse. We got to the lake about noon where we unloaded the horses and put the gear in a pile. Lyndsey and the crew gathered some cattle there and started cowboyin’, moving them north to put them into Negrito pasture. Frank rode Chili back to the trailhead where we had left a truck then picked up the gear on his way home. I had the loose pack animals, which I pushed home. I enjoyed the ride, Gambler was great as usual. I only had a bit of trouble when I was getting them up onto Snow Ridge but from there on they knew they were going home, it was just a matter of keeping up with them. W.C. lost a few atta boys on the way home when he blasted both barrels at Gambler who was right behind him. It was a high kick, Gambler dodged them but I got a hoof in each elbow. We got home about 4pm and the shower house soon became the center of activity Friday, May 9, 2003 Friday Julian and Patty headed back to Albq. Frank, Lyndsey and the rest of the crew spent the day in 7HL pasture getting about 40 head of cattle back into Pitchfork pasture in preparation for next weeks branding. I changed four tires and then did a round trip hauling horses to Albq. for a sale this weekend. It was a great trip, with a great bunch of folks, just the right way to start off the season. |
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