Grapevine Canyon Ranch Riding Program
A note from one of our guests:
My name is Peter and after a ½ day jaunt on a horse in Colorado I thought I had the basics down pat – stop, go, right, left. So I went on a ride. Well, the horse had one speed – slow - nipped every stalk of grass he could find – and I came back with sores on my legs and feet that only responded to a hot shower, Motrin and four fingers of Scotch. Then I had the inspired idea to take the 8:30 lesson. Lo – the skies opened, and I learned the basics I thought I had. My next two days here were a pleasure. The horse went where I wished, as fast as I wished, and I came back with nary an ache. The ride is so much finer when you’re not fighting your horse because you don’t know what you’re doing. The moral of this is – TAKE THE LESSON!!! No matter what you think you know – chances are you don’t know as much as you think you do. |
As many of our guests like to plan their vacation according to the rides available, the timetable below lists the available rides on Week One and Week Two. Choose your dates from the drop down list, and you will be linked to the schedule for that particular week.
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Dear Fun Seekers,Trail Rides
We'll guide you through some of the most beautiful country you've ever experienced, where the extraordinary scenery changes every few minutes. These trail rides are for all levels of rider skill, besides being marvelous photo opportunities for those wanting to capture the beauty of the desert on film. Morning rides are long enough to enjoy the scenery, with as many rest or photo opportunity stops as the riders desire, with stories of nature and local history shared by the wranglers. All guests take a morning trail ride as an introduction to their horses, western riding techniques, and the desert-to-mountain terrain, before joining other rides in our program.
Advanced Rides
These rides cover more difficult trails, and offer the rider several opportunities to "lope" (or canter) through this amazing country. After their introductory morning Trail Ride, guests will be lope checked in the arena to demonstrate their ability to sit well and control the horse at an increased speed before signing up for the Advanced Ride the following day. Remember - not all the time on these rides is spent loping - there are times when the terrain presents enough of a challenge!
Seasonal Cattle Work
You must be lope checked before riding the range, as there may be a need for speed at times. There are also three opportunities to participate in seasonal cattle work. Contact robin@gcranch.com for more information.
Day Rides
The Day Rides cover an extended distance on a variety of trails, with a lunch break and rest stops throughout. The ride destinations rotate every two weeks, as we want to vary your riding experience as much as possible. The only exceptions are the popular Off Ranch Adventure Rides which are offered weekly.
You and your horse will be trailered to the trail head for these incomparable riding expeditions. These, too, last all day, returning to the ranch in plenty of time for dinner.
Fort Bowie
Fort Bowie, built in the 1860s, was there to protect the infamous Apache Pass where many a wagon train was attacked by braves led by Chief Cochise of the Chiricahua Apaches and Chief Mangas Coloradas of the Mimbres.
Normally, visitors to the Fort have to walk along a Forest Service trail from the parking area a mile and a half away (2km). But on horseback, you'll ride the Butterfield Trail, retracing the old stage coach route from a wagon train massacre site on the top of Apache Pass, all the way to the Fort itself.
You'll ride past the ruins of the stage station, then on past the remnants of the old Fort Bowie cemetery - where remains of soldier and Indian are buried side by side. You'll pass through the canyon where the Battle of Apache Pass took place, and by the foundation of Tom Jeffords' house. Jeffords was a friend to Cochise and Indian Agent at the time. The trail goes past Apache Spring, the only source of water for miles around - one of the causes of contention between the white man and the Apaches - and finally onto the summit of the pass, where you'll see the United States flag waving lone and tall on the long-ago deserted parade ground of old Fort Bowie.
Today, Fort Bowie is fast disappearing, crumbling back into the earth, but it remains a fascinating and nostalgic reminder of the tough pioneers who won the West for us...
The Fort Bowie ride is for all levels of experience, and is offered on Thursdays - weather permitting. For Off Ranch Adventure Rides, there is an additional fee for trailering the horses to the trail head. There is a minimum of two riders and a maximum of eight for this day-long expedition.
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Chiricahua Natonal Monument Photo by Don & Cathy Ransenberg |
Chiricahua National Monument
This spectacular Canyon, with its fantastic rock formations, is probably the least known of America's National Parks - yet is one of the most beautiful. For many years after the first settlers arrived in this valley, Bonita Canyon - a refuge for the Apache - remained unknown to the white man.
In the 1870s, a detachment of Buffalo Soldiers (the famous black cavalry) camped at the mouth of Bonita Canyon to prevent Indians from escaping into its wilderness. Five decades later, in the 1920s, early settler Ed Riggs discovered its wonders while looking for lost cattle. Riggs petitioned the government to designate it a National Park, protecting the area for future generations.
The Civilian Conservation Corps camped in the canyon during the 1930s, and constructed the miles of winding, superbly-designed trails enabling exploration and full enjoyment of the area today. The horses are trailered to the Faraway Ranch, once the home of Ed and Lillian Riggs, and from there we ride past the recently-restored homestead - an interesting example of early Arizona architecture. Then, on through rolling meadows of ranch country, and up a steadily-ascending trail winding through tall pines reminiscent of Montana, each switchback reveals ever-more breathtaking scenery, until we arrive at the near lunar landscape of Bib Balancing Rock. Without question, this is an outing you will never forget.
This trail is challenging but not daunting - unless sweeping views from dramatic overlooks are cause for concern. As the elevation is 7,000 ft (2100m), this ride, offered on Tuesdays, may not be possible in winter because of possible snow on the trail.
For Off Ranch Adventure Rides, there is an additional fee for trailering the horses to the trail head. There is a minimum of two riders and a maximum of eight for this day-long expedition.
Suggested for Beginners...
Monday through Friday
What you will learn in a group riding lesson:
- Proper seat and riding position in a western saddle,
- Correct use of legs and hands,
- Basics of sitting the trot in a western saddle, and
- Basics of stopping and turning your trail horse.
Lessons are available 8:00 - 8:30 am and are $15 per person. Private, one on one riding lessons are available by arrangement with the barn boss and are $45 per person.
Lessons Can Be More Than Just Riding
We offer:
- Riding
- Saddling
- Roping
- Bits and bridles
- Horse confirmation
- Veting
- Tack
- Trailering (loading horse correctly)
If you have questions about our lesson program, please email barnboss@gcranch.com.
Cost: $45 per person for approximately 1 hour – We suggest scheduling in advance to guarantee time for your lesson. Thank you.
