Epic! A small word to describe a very amazing, incredible trip.
“My husband Cameron and I have been fortunate to go on some pretty awesome adventures, but taking a team of our Clydesdale mares into the Rocky Mountains for a ride and drive tour of the highs and lows of the Panther River area truly was incredible,” related Twylla Newton who operates Tailwinds Clydesdale just south of Yorkton.
It helped to have a guide too.
“A friend of ours has camped and explored this area of the Rocky Mountains and graciously invited us to camp with him,” said Newton. “Not to miss an opportunity we jumped at the chance to camp out for a week in the mountains with our Clydesdales.”
And talk about a big job packing gear for that week, but in the end the gear was assembled and the crew ready to go.
“Harnessed and hitched to our wagon, coming in at an easy 2500lbs, a total of five wagons and five out-riders hit the trail,” said Newton.
From the outset the trek was a challenge.
“It is not 10-minutes into the trail and we are at our first of many river crossings,” said Newton. “The rivers are very rocky and belly deep on the Clydesdales, rushing with enough force to push a loaded wagon sideways.”
It wasn’t so much easier on dry ground either.
“Right after that the climb started – and it seemed like it never quit,” said Newton.
“This was not easy, but with lots of breaks in the climb to let the mares ‘blow’ and relax, we had the power and energy to get to camp.”
Being at camp just meant more work, with care of the horses coming first.
“The horses were looked after, and camp was set up,” said Newton. “Within a few short hours the fire was going, tents erected, beds ready and all had a delicious supper.
“I can tell you that we slept very hard that night!”
The next few days were a tad less exhaustive.
“The next few days involved trail riding,” said Newton. “Our mares were saddled and ready to go.
“The trails were everything – but groomed!
“Sometimes the ground was soft, and the horses had formed a narrow trench for a trail, the big drafts literally put one hoof right in front of the other.
“Then add hairpin turns, steep inclines, straight down plunges, and huge fallen logs to step over – and it seemed like that happened all at the same time!
“The trees were so thick in spots that the lead horse, even only a few horse lengths in front, could not be seen through the bush.
“Opposite of the dense bush trails is the tree-less ridge riding on the shale rock.”
And, there were moments of pure awe along the way.
“Up on the ridge, the view is incredible, unless you look down, then it is just scary!” said Newton.
The trip wasn’t all from the back of horse of course.
“A really unique opportunity was to be able to swim in a ‘mountain top’ lake, yes it was a little cold, but just so clear and beautiful you could not help but go in,” said Newton.
The trip was one to never forget and has Newton recommending the locale, if not their exact method to see it.
“If you ever have the opportunity to take in the Rocky Mountains in any form, go for it,” she said.
