What a fantastic horseback adventure with Big Al and Blake. Al picked us up at the entrance to Taos…read moreSki Valley in the "Pope-mobile" -- his 4-wheel drive truck with a tall camper. I have to say that Al is as nice as the day is long. He is interested and interesting. He is eager to hear where we came from, as well as to share his history in the Taos Ski Valley. He is one of 34 year-round residents of the area.
After signing waivers, he drove us roughly 30 minutes up the mountain to his horse camp at 10,500 ft. in the mountains. He assessed us for experience and fit us in duster-sized rain slickers, to keep us both dry and warm in the mountains, he said. We didn't hit any rain, but there were grey clouds on the peak next to us and lightening in the distance, so the slickers were obviously a good idea.
Next he gave us a lesson on horse handling and safety, and had each of us practice on his saw horse models. Then he and Blake helped everyone saddle up and we were off...Big Al at the front and Blake at the back.
We had a great 2-hour ride through the mountains with beautiful views of Taos Ski Valley and Wheeler Peak on the Bull of the Woods Trail. At the 12,000 foot summit, we were close enough to touch the last snow of the season (if we were't on horseback) which thrilled the kids on July 3. It was a glimpse of the mountain usually restricted to expert hikers...truly a privilege.
Every one of our group of six are convinced that we had the best horse. My daughter was on Rio and I was on Blanco (the best I'm sure), the rest of our group were on Badger, Ace, Milagro and Payday. These horses are obviously used to riders of all experience level--were we handling them or were they handling us?
The ride ended back at the horse camp. On the literature they advertise a 15-course snack, which for us was a big variety of sodas, snack cakes (twinkies, little debbie, etc), granola bars, peanuts, snack crackers, cheezits. We sat and snacked and truly enjoyed our visit with Al and Blake.
On the way down the mountain, we asked Al what would be for dinner had we chosen the ride that ended with a chuck wagon dinner. He said:
Shrimp cocktail
Mozzarella/tomato salad
Pasta
Grilled pork loin
Apple pie with maple syrup
However I'm sure the menu changes occasionally. Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure it would be good.
Our ONLY disappointment of the day was that we didn't get photos of us on our horses. Once we were riding, it was hard to manage a camera, as you always had one hand on the reigns and one on the saddle horn. It would have been nice to get a group picture, or even to stop at the more scenic places. Besides that, we were thrilled.
Now for the 411:
2 hour ride with snack was $65 plus tax or $70 per person all in.
2 hour ride with chuck wagon dinner was $85 plus tax.
Overnight with dinner and breakfast is $145. We saw the bunks and camp and it seems like it could be a really fun adventure.
Overall...6 thumbs up from our group of 6. Thanks Al, and thanks Blake. It was all you said it would be and more.