In a remote valley between the Wind River and Absaroka mountain ranges in north-west Wyoming, about 2 1/2 hours drive from Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park.
Bordering miles of untouched National Forest, The Bitterroot is at the end of a 16 mile dirt road, looking out to sage brush-covered hills, grassy meadows and a protected National Forest. Its feeling is rustic and outdoorsy; a place without unnecessary frills. Wooden cabins are spread out along the river bank, the central lodge is surrounded by corrals where horses, dogs and various livestock come and go. The outlook is to grassy meadows, and rolling sage brush hills that become craggy mountains with patches of thick forest hiding herds of elk, moose and grizzly bear. There are beautiful, wide trout-filled rivers, smaller streams and rocky gorges that no-one else can reach.
Anyone who wants to get away from it all, enjoy the scenery of the mid-west and be reassured of a good horse. As a guest ranch that also raises cattle, the guest programme is well-developed and structured. There are morning and afternoon rides out from the base each day; lessons on offer on some days; picnic rides one day a week. You need to be prepared to go with the flow and what is on offer, but what you forget in spontaneity, you gain by knowing you get what you went for. Most weeks include a half day of organised cattle work, rounding up and sorting cattle and there are some weeks when extra cattle work is available, either helping move cattle to and from seasonal grazing or checking herds in the hills. Short camping trips, taking luggage by pack horse, are another option and the ranch is ideal for keen fishermen; there is wonderful fishing in the ranch’s rivers, ponds and neighbouring streams. Nights are all at the ranch base, in simple, rustic but reasonably comfortable log cabins with private bathrooms and small wooden verandas.
It offers a good mix of independence – you can keep yourself to yourself and do your own thing in between times – combined with structured good quality riding, in a gorgeous untouched spot. You’ll be refreshed. Invigorating mountain air, home-cooked tasty food, the soothing sounds of the rushing Wind River, enough exercise and activity to keep you busy, enough time to switch off, relax and just be. The Fox family, who own the ranch, breed and train Arab horses and The Bitterroot has British Horse Society approval – it was the first and is one of the very few ranches in the States to get this.
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Below is an example itinerary. Please ask us for other itineraries.
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