10 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Trail Number 15, the Beaten Path to Cooke City in one day. At 26 miles, it is quite feasible. Beau and I do a lot of solo riding, on county roads, our ranch, private ranches and in the wilderness. For my safety, and my husband’s peace of mind, I always travel with my GPS, a cell phone, my 9 mm semi-automatic, and my SPOT device. SPOT is a Satellite GPS Messenger, that tracks and shares my GPS coordinates with him, and I can reach emergency responders at the push of a button. While I see wildlife when I ride with friends, I see more when riding alone. This spring, I saw what I thought was a hide in the grass, as in dead animal hide. I could then that it was a very young elk calf that had been hidden and left alone by its mother while she grazed. I knew Beau hadn't spotted it and was sure it wasn't going to move until I moved, so I took several pictures and put the camera away. I knew the calf would jump and high-tail it out of there as soon as I passed its right shoulder and that Beau would be caught by surprise. I was right on both accounts. This was most likely, the only time I will be able to capture a close up picture of an elk calf. I feel very fortunate. Thanksgiving morning while riding the ditch trail on the Beartooth Ranch, Beau alerted, stopped and sniffed the air. I couldn't see anything but knew he was on to something by his behavior, so I stayed alert. As I passed a large tree, it looked like there was a dead deer lying under the tree in the sunlight. Then it lifted its big, beautiful head and looked at me. Was it a deer? Not even close. It was a full-grown mountain lion and we were 10 yards from it! I did not get a picture, but will seal that image in my memory forever!
For my safety, I always travel with my GPS, a cell phone, my 9 mm semi-automatic, and my SPOT device.
I was able to capture a close up of an elk calf
have a steady, sane equine partner. It has breathtaking views, extreme rock climbs, switchbacks, long meadows to lope, bridges, lakes everywhere and narrow trails that give those nervous about heights the chills. I find it exhilarating. Next summer several members of our local Back County Horsemen group are planning to ride from Trail Number 15, the Beaten Path to Cooke City in one day. At 26 miles, it is quite feasible.
morning while riding the ditch trail on the Beartooth Ranch, Beau alerted, stopped and sniffed the air. I couldn't see anything but knew he was on to something by his behavior, so I stayed alert. As I passed a large tree, it looked like there was a dead deer lying under the tree in the sunlight. Then it lifted its big, beautiful head and looked at me. Was it a deer? Not even close. It was a full-grown mountain lion and we were 10 yards from it! I did not get a picture, but will seal that image in my memory forever!
For those looking for a partnership with their mule, I will share what worked for us. Take time to develop a relationship with your mule, and don’t expect it to happen overnight. Beau and I have a very strong bond, that developed over time. He was a little stand offish when I first brought him home. After a few weeks of regular riding he would walk off when I went to catch him. Not anymore. He loves his job. This summer marked our second anniversary. While we have had a great working relationship since week two, things really came together this summer. There were, several things I believe that contributed to that connection. With Beau, I am the queen of repetition, from how I greet him, feed him, tack him, load him, ride him and how I communicate with him. When he gets nervous, which he rarely does anymore, I offer him confidence and leadership and allow the time needed for him to realize I've got his back and would never ask him to do anything he was not capable of doing. Occasionally, I will laugh at him when he balks over something silly. When that happens, I help him through it and never get emotional. You can’t fight a mule and win, so there is no sense in getting upset. If he looks at anything that “might” be scary but isn’t, we head towards it and stay focused on it until he relaxes. It is simply a lot of fun. When I spot wildlife I always tell him in a low voice "wow", and he relaxes and stands still so I can capture the moment in pictures. I have never feared spotting wildlife. I go in search of wildlife, and as a result, I believe he has adopted the same attitude. On one occasion, I couldn't spot what he was focused on. He lifted his head, I followed his "point" and spotted the porcupine high up in the tree. Of course, I do not encroach on any wildlife and enjoy them from a respectful distance.
Wildlife abound along the trails, including bear and mountain lions