For the past 45 years the ApHC has offered trail rides that have taken participants into some of the most historical and beautiful areas of America.

Apache Land :: Chief Joseph :: Land of Liberty :: Sheltowee ::
Ride T-shirts & Apparel :: Cancellations

APACHE LAND: April 25 – May 1 CORONADO NATIONAL FOREST, ARIZONA

The Apache Land is a base camp ride, departing from and returning to the camp every day. This year the Apache Land ride will take place in the beautiful Santa Rita Mountains and foothills which are part of the multi-mountain range of the Coronado National Forest, a federally protected wonderland. Apache Indians roamed and thrived in these mountains for centuries, fiercely protecting them and driving out invaders until the arrival of white settlers with their military protection. Rugged peaks tower to nearly 10,000 feet, with jagged cliffs, plunging canyons and broad grassy basins containing numerous springs and pools which support a wide variety of large game and their predators.

The mountains contain abandoned ranches, mining towns, construction camps, graveyards and homesteads, plus many historical mining sites, claims and equipment. Before this, there has never been a week-long horse ride allowed by the forest service in these mountains. Acquiring permission has required a commitment that our group will observe conservation of their surroundings and restoration of the campgrounds. Riders will be asked to honor the Appaloosa heritage in protecting this beautiful area by observing camp requirements with their equine partners. The ecosystem is fragile and must be treated with great respect. There are very few mesquite trees in camp, too short for high lines. Restraint options for equines include high-lines between trailers, or tying to your trailer. Small portable pens will be permitted but no large corrals.

Our base camp is about 40 miles SW of Tucson, 53 miles west of Tombstone and about 80 miles west of Bisbee, AZ. Great historical characters passed through and frequented these mountains including Apache leaders Geronimo, Cochise, Tanzay, Nana, and Mangus. It is said that Poncho Villa brought a force north gathering recruits for the Mexican Revolution: horses, cattle and humans. Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and their enemies, the Clantons, traveled through these mountains back and forth to visit the excitement and pleasures found in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. Each day’s ride will offer great views, challenges and a touch of history. You will enjoy the food prepared by Arizona’s top equine event caterers and enjoy authentic cowboy entertainment under a sky full of stars.

Directions:

1. From the East:
• I-10 west to Benson, AZ Exit 302 (Hwy 90)
• Take Exit 302 and go South 19 miles +/- to stop light at intersection of Hwy 90 and 82.
• Turn right/west and go 19 miles +/- to Sonoita, AZ intersection of Hwy 82 and 83.
• Turn right/north onto Hwy 83 and go 4.1 +/- miles to Gardner Canyon/Kentucky Camp gravel road
• Turn left onto Gardner Canyon/Kentucky Camp dirt/washboard/go-slow road and travel about 1 mile to Kentucky Camp Forest Road 163 and turn right.
• Go 3 miles +/- on FR 163 to where camp will be visible.
2. From the West:
• I-10 east through Tucson to Exit 281 (Hwy 83 south)
• Travel south on Hwy 83 about 21.3 +/- miles to Gardner Canyon/Kentucky Camp gravel road
• Turn right onto Gardner Canyon/Kentucky Camp dirt/washboard/go-slow road and travel about 1 mile to Kentucky Camp Forest Road 163 and turn right.
• Go 3 miles +/- on FR 163 to where camp will be visible.


Lodging: This year’s camp will be primitive. Attendees will need to provide their own lodging in the form of tent, trailer or RV. Limited potable water will be available; attendees are encouraged to bring as much of their own potable water as they can.

Elevation: Is about 5500 feet.

Meals: Meals will be provided. Please bring as much potable water as you can.

Horses: All breeds are welcome but be at least 4 years of age as of foaling date. A certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) with a negative Coggins test is required.

Rental horses: Are available from Greg Evans at Chihenne Ranch: 575-743-1602, 575-740-1778 (cell), 4jranch@zianet.com.

Horse water: Will be available. Potable water will be available but limited; attendees are encouraged to bring as much of their own potable water as they can.

Certified weed free feed is required by the Forest Service. This includes hay, hay cubes or pellets. No uncertified feed will be allowed in camp. If this will be a change of feed for your horse, it is suggested you gradually start him/her on weed free feed at least 3 weeks prior to travel. Please be sure to have your horse solely on weed-free feed at least 72 hours before arrival in camp. This will prevent weed spread by GI tract passage. Check your local suppliers en route to the ride for your needs. Sonoita has two suppliers for feed and equine supplies. Both carry weed free complete pelleted feed. Weed free hay MAY be available if special ordered and prepaid well in advance of the ride, however neither dealer has committed to supply it for this ride. The two dealers: High Noon Feed & Tack 520-455-5734 and Sonoita Feed 520-455-5544.

Trails: Will be moderate, hoof protection is highly recommended. Expect to ride an average of 18 miles per day.

Amenities: Portable Restrooms. Attendees will need to bring their own potable water for the week and refillable water bottles/canteens. A farrier, veterinarian and physician will be available.

Cleanup: Please bring a shovel and rake to clean and restore your camping area.

Campfires: No personal campfires will be allowed because of fire danger.

Entertainment: In addition to cowboy music, we are planning a talent show, as has been a tradition on this ride. Prizes will be awarded as well as nightly gift drawings. Additionally, we will be raffling off a saddle, bridle and Corrector saddle pad.

Participants: All participants must be ApHC members and at least 10 years of age.

CHIEF JOSEPH: July 18 – 24 JACKSON (BIG HOLE VALLEY) TO BANNOCK PASS, MONTANA

The Chief Joseph Trail Ride has been considered one of the most historical trail rides in the U.S. today. Since 1964 the ride has retraced as closely as possible the 1,170-mile trek the Nez Perce made during their flight from the U.S. Cavalry in 1877. This year we will be starting near Jackson, MT in the Big Hole Valley. We will head south and east to Skinner Meadows and up to Lemhi Pass. From there the ride follows the Continental Divide to Bannock Pass, just north of Leadore, ID which rests in the Lemhi Valley.

The Ride: This is a progressive ride. The camp moves daily.

Lodging/Vehicles: Primitive. There will be no hookups, electricity or running water. There are basically two forms of accommodations; tenting or a personal vehicle. Because vehicle space is limited in the daily camps, we strongly recommend tenting – or at least sharing a vehicle with others.

For those tenting, the vehicles you arrived in will be shuttled to the end camp on Sunday morning July 18th to be parked for the week. Buses will transport the drivers back to the assembly camp after the vehicles are parked. Your gear will then be transported daily from camp to camp via moving vans.

For those bring a personal vehicle in the daily caravan, there will be a surcharge. There is a limit on the number of vehicles allowed. Each personal vehicle will require a driver, who must be a current member and pay a non-rider fee. See application for details.

Meals: All meals included, beginning with the evening meal on Sunday, July 18th and ending with breakfast on Saturday, July 24th. Sack lunches will be provided for the noon meal on the trail. Attendees will need to bring their own refillable water bottles/canteens. No individual bottled water will be provided this year. We will be refilling from the water truck.

Horses: All horses ridden on the Chief Joe’ must be ApHC registered Appaloosas. A copy of the registration certificate is required for identification as well as a current health certificate and a negative Coggins test. The state of Montana also requires a state Import Permit number. Click Transporting Your Horse into Montana & Idaho for more information. For safety, horses will need to be tied to the picket lines (provided) or trailer-tied while in camp. No portable electric pens may be used. Certified weed-free grass hay will be provided and is included in the ride fee.

Rental Horses: Dirk Vanderby 406-284-6876; Montana Horses 406-285-3541; A.J & Jessica Smith 509-301-2903.

Entertainment: Historical speakers, cowboy poetry, music, dancing and Chief Joseph Youth Foundation silent auction.

Amenities: Water. Portable toilets. Picket line. A farrier, veterinarian and a physician will be available. Attendees will need to bring their own refillable water bottles/canteens. No individual bottled water will be provided this year.

Participants: All participants on the Chief Joe must be ApHC members and at least 12 years of age.

See application for all fees and deadlines

LAND of LIBERTY June 13 – 19 Mountain Trail Horse Center, Tioga State Forest, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

The Ride: The Land of Liberty is a base camp ride, departing from and returning to the camp every day. This year the ride will take place at our host site, Mountain Trail Horse Center of Nature Quest, Inc. See their website at www.mountaintrailhorse.com. The routes will take you through hardwood/evergreen forest, including stream crossings and climbs on one-track roads and trails.

Directions: This site is located in north central Pennsylvania about 17 miles south of the New York border. From Mansfield on Hwy 15, turn west on Route 6 and proceed 13 miles to Wellsboro. From Wellsboro take Route 6 (north and west) approximately 12 miles to the COACH STOP INN. The camp is directly behind this restaurant. If you reach Ansonia, you need to backtrack 2 miles to the Coach Stop Inn.

Lodging: This year’s camp will be primitive. Attendees will need to provide their own lodging in the form of tent, trailer or RV. No hookups are available. There is a motel on site. If interested, contact Jill at Mountain Trail Horse Center for more information 1-877-376-5561 or jill@naturequestadventures.com.

Elevation: Is about 1300 feet.

Meals: Will be provided. Sack lunches for the noon meal on the trail.

Horses: All breeds are welcome but be at least 4 years of age as of foaling date. A certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) with a negative Coggins test is required. Containment will be via trailer tie, highline or portable fencing. You must bring your own feed for your horse.

Rental horses: Are available from Mountain Trail Horse Center. Contact them at 1-877-376-5561.

Trails: Will be moderate. Tread will be dirt with some rock. Hoof protection is highly recommended. Expect to ride an average of 15 miles per day.

Amenities: Restrooms. Showers are available for a small fee. A pool is accessible for $1/person/day. A physician will be available on the ride. A veterinarian and farrier will be on call.

Participants: All participants must be ApHC members and at least 10 years of age.

See application for all fees and deadlines

SHELTOWEE October KENTUCKY

More information coming soon!

Ride T-shirts & Apparel: ApHC will provide ride t-shirts as part of your ride fee. Please mark the size you would like on the application form. To receive your ride t-shirt, the signed ride application and all fees must be received by the application deadline. Ride t-shirts will be given to ride participants when they check in. Trail t-shirts, jackets, visors, hats and a variety of other products are available online at www.tiogaterritory.com

Cancellation Policy: A written notice of cancellation must be received at the ApHC office in order to receive a refund. Refund amounts are graduated based on date the cancellation notice is received. See ride application for details.

Please return applications to:

Trail & Distance Coordinator
2720 W. Pullman Road
Moscow, ID 83843
(208) 882-5578 ext. 221
Fax (208) 882-8150
trailrides@appaloosa.com