28 / Sport and Trail Magazine
Preparing For Your First Backcountry Trip
Story and photos By Robert Eversole Trailmeister
For many of us the ultimate in equine vacations is the idea of venturing into the backcountry with our own horse. Day rides and camping with your horses at an established campground is good. Camping with your horses in the depths of the backcountry is grand. But how to plan a trip into an area where the clatter of civilization is drowned by the serenity and solitude of the wilderness? Loading a packhorse with the necessities, and leaving the trailer far behind ups the ante from a standard day ride, but with planning and preparation you’ll be set for some of the most memorable outdoor experiences of your life.
Use the following 6 steps to help you plan and prepare for your backcountry horse camping adventure
Step 1 – Where Do I Go? The first step in any backcountry trip is deciding where to go and picking a destination point. The key is to pick an area that is inspiring, matches your skill sets, and fits within your time and budget constraints – for example if you like mountain riding and are looking for a three day trip on well marked trails, the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex might be ideal. www.trailmeister.com, regional equine clubs, and the land manager’s recreational rangers are excellent resources for choosing a destination and selecting a trail route if you don’t have one in mind.
Time of Year Consider the best time of year to visit the spot you’ve picked out. Mid summer is perfect for the high mountains of the Cascades and Rockies, while fall is the perfect season for areas on the east coast. Climate, elevation, and terrain will factor into what types of shelter you’ll need for you as well as if you’ll be able to find water and grazing for your animals.
Trail Type and Distance – What type of route are you planning? A loop with a new view each day? Out and back to a scenic lake? A point-to-point trek that might require having someone shuttle your truck and trailer? As you’re determining how many miles you’ll be riding each day consider the terrain you’ll be passing through and whether you desire a leisurely pace or want to cover a lot of ground on your trip. Depending upon where you’re heading a good rule of thumb is that horses in the backcountry will travel at about 3 miles an hour.
Maps and Regulations – Research popular trail areas online at www.trailmeister.com, acquire necessary trail maps and guidebooks for the area that you’ve chosen. Be sure to learn the rules and regulations for the area with the local land manager before you go. Are campfires allowed? Is weed free feed required? Is grazing allowed? Where can you expect to find water? Are permits required? Be sure that your horses are up to date on any vaccinations and that you have the necessities for crossing states lines; coggins test, health certificate, and brand inspections.
of shelter you’ll need for you as well as if you’ll be able to find water and grazing for your animals.
Trail Type and Distance What type of route are you planning? A loop with a new view each day? Out and back to a scenic lake? A point-to-point trek that might require having someone shuttle your truck and trailer? As you’re determining how many miles you’ll be riding each day consider the terrain you’ll be passing through and whether you desire a leisurely pace or want to cover a lot of ground on your trip. Depending upon where you’re heading a good rule of thumb is that horses in the backcountry will travel at about 3 miles an hour.
Maps and Regulations Research popular trail areas online at www.trailmeister.com, acquire necessary trail maps and guidebooks for the area that you’ve chosen. Be sure to learn the rules and regulations for the area with the local land manager before you go. Are campfires allowed? Is weed free feed required? Is grazing allowed? Where can you expect to find water? Are permits required? Be sure that your horses are up to date on any vaccinations and that you have the necessities for crossing states lines; coggins test, health certificate, and brand inspections.
Step 2 – What Should I Bring? Most of what you end up carrying will be determined by your destination and what type of weather you’ll most likely encounter. All of the tack and camping gear that you take should be as practical, comfortable, and as lightweight as possible. Your pack animal will thank you!
Organize your gear into the following kits for the majority of pack trips
Human Needs
Clothing Rain pants and jacket, stocking cap and gloves, camp shoes, insulating layers, etc.
Shelter Tent / hammock, foam insulation pad, sleeping bag, etc.
Cooking Lightweight backpacking stove and fuel, pots, cooking utensils, cup, bowl, spork, sponge and soap, water filter, etc.
Emergency / Essentials First Aid kit, PLB, headlamp, lighter/matches, map and compass, duct tape/ repair kit, knife, toiletries, camera/journal, etc. Remember to keep the essentials on your person in case you separate from your riding animal.
Equine Needs
Riding Saddle – Make sure that they fit well and that you have good saddle pads as well.
Pack Saddle – The two main types of pack saddles are the Sawbuck and the Decker. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses. More important than which type of pack saddle is that you have the knowledge to use it. An excellent tutorial manual is The Packers Guidebook by Ed Haefliger (http://www.mtcanaryco.com).