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Horseback Riding Trip - Pre-Trip
Information
Here's How to Find US!
Here's What You Need to Know
Please share with everyone in your group. If you have any
questions or need additional information call us at 1-800-462-7238.
MOUNT-UP TIMES
Please arrive 10-15 minutes before
your trip departure time
1-Hour Middle Cottonwood Creek - See your confirmation
letter
2-Hour Mount Princeton - See your confirmation letter
3-Hour Dead
Man Gulch - 9:00am / 1:00pm
4-Hour Avalanche Gulch - 9:00am
5-Hour
Hartenstein Lake - 9:00am
6-Hour Continental Divide - 8:30am
WHERE TO MEET
From downtown Buena Vista's only
stoplight, turn west (towards the mountains) on Main Street (County Road 306)
Drive 7 miles west of town towards Cottonwood Pass to Harvard City Riding
Stables. We are located at the junction of County Roads 306 and 344 on the
right.
View Larger
Map
We suggest you use the
Colorado State Road
Map and plan for delays. Visit our
Denver Region Map for
assistance on getting out of Denver
Getting Out of Denver:
From North Denver,
take I-70 west. Just before entering the mountains, take Exit 260 onto C-470
towards Colorado Springs and continue on C-470 and exit at the Highway 285 and
Fairplay exit. Follow the 'Denver' directions below once you are on Highway
285.
From Central Denver, take Hampden Avenue west.
Hampden Avenue turns into Highway 285 as you leave Denver. Follow the 'Denver'
directions once you are on Highway 285.
From South Denver, take C-470 towards Grand Junction
and continue on C-470 and exit at the Highway 285 and Fairplay exit. Follow the
'Denver' directions in the next paragraph once you are on Highway 285.
From Denver: Take Hwy. 285 south for about 120 miles
until you descend Trout Creek Pass into the Arkansas River Valley (about 35
miles or 40 minutes past the town of Fairplay). At the bottom of Trout Creek
Pass continue past our mountain shaped sign and our whitewater rafting office
at mile marker 213.8 to Harvard City Stables. Cross the bridge over the
Arkansas River and continue through Johnson Village to the "T" junction of Hwy
24 and Hwy 285. Follow Hwy 24 North (right) to the town of Buena Vista. At the
stoplight turn West (toward the mountains) on to County Road 306 and Main
Street. Drive 7 miles west of town towards Cottonwood Pass to Harvard City
Riding Stables. We are located at the junction of County Roads 306 and 344 on
the right. Approximately 2-½ hours.
From Colorado Springs: Take US Highway 24 west to the
junction with US Highway 285 (about 80 miles or 1 ½ hours from Colorado
Springs). Turn left and proceed south on Highway 24 / 285 for about 20 minutes
until you enter the Arkansas River valley. At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass
continue past our mountain shaped sign and our whitewater rafting office at
mile marker 213.8 to Harvard City Stables. Cross the bridge over the Arkansas
River and continue through Johnson Village to the "T" junction of Hwy 24 and
Hwy 285. Follow Hwy 24 North (right) to the town of Buena Vista. At the
stoplight turn West (toward the mountains) on to County Road 306 and Main
Street. Drive 7 miles west of town towards Cottonwood Pass to Harvard City
Riding Stables. We are located at the junction of County Roads 306 and 344 on
the right. Approximately 2 hours.
From Salida and all points South: From the junction
of Highways 50 and 285 in Poncha Springs (five miles west of Salida and 60
miles east of Gunnison) head north on Highway 285. Continue north 25 miles to
the town of Buena Vista. At the stoplight turn West (toward the mountains) on
to County Road 306 and Main Street. Drive 7 miles west of town towards
Cottonwood Pass to Harvard City Riding Stables. We are located at the junction
of County Roads 306 and 344 on the right. Approximately 40 minutes from
Salida.
From Vail, I-70 and Summit County: Take I-70 to
Copper Mountain and take Exit #195 onto Highway 91 south. Just before entering
Leadville, Highway 91 merges with Highway 24. Continue through Leadville on
Highway 24 and travel another 35 miles south along the river to the town of
Buena Vista. At the stoplight turn West (toward the mountains) on to County
Road 306 and Main Street. Drive 7 miles west of town towards Cottonwood Pass to
Harvard City Riding Stables. We are located at the junction of County Roads 306
and 344 on the right. Approximately 1-½ hours.
From Aspen: Take Highway 82 east over Independence
Pass to the junction of Highways 82 and 24. Turn right on Highway 24 and
continue south along the river about 20 miles to the town of Buena Vista (about
20 minutes). At the stoplight turn West (toward the mountains) on to County
Road 306 and Main Street. Drive 7 miles west of town towards Cottonwood Pass to
Harvard City Riding Stables. We are located at the junction of County Roads 306
and 344 on the right. Approximately 1-½ hours.
From Breckenridge: Take Highway 9 south over Hoosier
Pass for 36 miles through the town of Fairplay to the stoplight at the junction
of Highways 9 and 285. Turn right on Highway 285 and go south for 35 miles
until you descend Trout Creek Pass into the Arkansas River Valley (40 minutes
from Fairplay). At the bottom of Trout Creek Pass continue past our mountain
shaped sign and our whitewater rafting office at mile marker 213.8 to Harvard
City Stables. Cross the bridge over the Arkansas River and continue through
Johnson Village to the "T" junction of Hwy 24 and Hwy 285. Follow Hwy 24 North
(right) to the town of Buena Vista. At the stoplight turn West (toward the
mountains) on to County Road 306 and Main Street. Drive 7 miles west of town
towards Cottonwood Pass to Harvard City Riding Stables. We are located at the
junction of County Roads 306 and 344 on the right. Approximately 1-½
hours.
WHAT TO BRING
- Long Pants
- Rain Jacket or Poncho
- Boots or Tennis Shoes (For your safety, no open toed
shoes)
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Camera and Film
- Drinking Water
- Fanny Pack or Small Backpack for Personal Items
- Light Jacket Synthetic Insulating Layer for Longer
Rides
- Snacks for Longer Rides
- Cash for Tipping Your Guide
WE PROVIDE
| DRIVING
TIMES |
| Denver |
2¼ hrs |
| Colorado
Spgs. |
1½ hrs |
| Durango |
4½hrs |
| Grand Junct. |
4½ hrs |
| Vail |
3 hrs |
| Fort Collins |
3¼ hrs |
| Aspen |
3 hrs |
| Breckenridge |
2¾ hrs |
|
- One Guide for Every Seven Guests
- All Horses and Riding Equipment
- Limited Saddle Bag Storage for Your Personnel Items
- Lunch on Full-Day Trips
PARTNERSHIP: Horseback rides
are hosted by Harvard City Riding Stables.
ORIENTATION: Prior to
mounting your horse you will receive an orientation on riding and other issues
specific to your ride.
WHAT TO WEAR: At high altitudes the weather
can change quickly, be prepared for cooler temperatures and the occasional rain
shower. We suggest you bring light layers to keep you warm. Long pants and
closed toed shoes are recommended as we are riding through bushes that can
scrape up your legs and toes if they are not protected.
LIABILITY
RELEASE: Everyone will be required to sign a liability release form prior
to trip departure. Youths not riding with their parents will need to provide a
copy of our liability release signed by one or both parents. Please note that
unaccompanied youth must have a parent or guardian co-sign a liability release
ahead of time. These completed liabilities must be presented to us upon
check-in. Liabilities can be downloaded here.
TIPPING: Tipping is appropriate,
particularly if you have received exceptional customer service. If you believe
that a tip is appropriate we recommend an average tip of $5/guest/day. We
always appreciate hearing from you so that we can recognize extraordinarily
customer service and we also appreciate hearing from you if you feel that there
are areas that we can improve upon. We strive to exceed your
expectations!
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: We do not provide alcohol on our
trips, and alcohol is not permitted while on the ride. Guests who have been
drinking prior to their trip will not go on the tour and will not receive a
refund.
DAY GEAR: Bring along a fanny pack or small backpack to
carry your personal items. We suggest you travel light.
DRINKING
WATER: There is no running water at the stable or on the trip. You will
need to provide your own drinking water.
RESTROOMS: There are no
facilities available during the ride. We provide a Porta-John at the stable for
your convenience.
COMMUNICATION: We are in a mountain valley where
there is no cell phone service.
ALTITUDE: You will be riding between
8,500 and 12,000 feet. Most people don't have serious problems here, but
shortness of breath and dehydration are common. Most people don't have serious
problems here, but shortness of breath and dehydration are possible. Come a day
or two early to acclimatize yourself if you can. We recommend that you drink
plenty of water during your stay.
PREGNANCY: We cannot take you
rafting if you are pregnant. This is for your own safety and that of your
unborn child.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you cancel more than 10 days
prior to trip departure, we will refund all of your deposit less a $5/person
cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 10 days prior to trip departure,
there is no refund. We reserve the right to reschedule, move or cancel any trip
due to insufficient reservations. .
TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE:
Allows you to cancel all or part of your trip up to 24 hours prior to departure
without penalty. The cost is $9.00/person/day and $5/person/half-day. If you
must cancel with less than 24 hours notice, but more than 1 hour before
departure, we can issue a gift certificate good for next year's season.
Insurance must be purchased for every member of the group at the time of your
deposit.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATIONS
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HOTELS / MOTELS |
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CAMPGROUNDS |
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Vista Inn |
800-809-3495 |
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Arrowhead Point Camping Resort |
800-888-7320 |
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Super 8 Motel |
800-800-8000 |
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Chalk Creek Campground |
719-395-8301 |
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Lakeside Motel |
800-248-7684 |
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National Forest Campgrounds |
877-444-6777 |
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BED AND BREAKFASTS |
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CABINS |
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Liar's Lodge |
888-542-7756 |
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Forest Creek Cabins |
800-603-7690 |
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Sawatch Vistas |
866-395-9199 |
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Thunder Lodge |
800-330-9194 |
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Room at the River |
719 395-8599 |
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Woodland Brook Cabins |
719-395-2922 |
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RESORTS |
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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
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Mt. Princeton Hot Springs |
888-395-7799 |
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Buena Vista |
719-395-6612 |
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Rainbow Lake Resort |
719-395-2509 |
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Salida |
719-539-2068 |
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