Wyoming's Wind River Mountains were explored largely on horseback, so here is your chance to experience the work and benefits of traveling in this time-honored way. Perhaps you are returning to NOLS horsepacking and Three Peaks Ranch after having taken a course prior, or perhaps you are a NOLS Alum that is excited to apply your already proven horse skills in a new context- wilderness horsepacking.
This adventure starts near Boulder, Wyoming at NOLS' Three Peaks Ranch where the school's horse courses and re-ration logistics are based. After time spent at the ranch, applying your prior horse experiences and skills in a new context and getting up to speed with horsepacking and camping skills, you’ll ride into the Wind River Mountains with a train of pack animals for a few days of camping, fishing and riding. Activities focus on western horsemanship— including herd dynamics, tack, horse behavior, camp and feed selection as well as the art Leave No Trace camping with livestock. And with your prior NOLS and horse experiences coming into this trip, you'll be able to swap stories and set out on an expeditions that stretches your horse and group skills. Days are full of learning, hard work, camaraderie and the rewards of riding in the wilderness.
Overall Difficulty*:
*Horses carry riders and the camp, but packing and caring for the horses and ourselves is hard work.