Finally, the truck is parked, the mules and horses are tied up to the hitch rail at the trailhead, and the rigorous task of loading the packs and tying down our loads begins. A last minute check, tighten the cinches and place the packs on the mules. Tent, table,chairs, sleeping mats, food for the 2 days we'll be out setting up the first camp of the season. The wind whispers in the pines as sunlight baths the parking lot, small cow birds hop under our feet as we bustle around securing our loads. Finally the loads are on and we're in the saddle, fresh mountain air tinged with the smell horse and leather.
Lee heads out, leading the pack string while I bring up the rear watching the loads and reveling in the freedom of the outdoors. We wind our way up the trail, the mules calmly following in single file for this is nothing new to them. Step by step we wend our through clearing and stands of lodgepole pine, crossing high mountain streams, the water flowing over rocks chuckling quietly to itself as we pass. Slowly we make our way up the trail, enjoying the scenes unfolding before us, a deer quietly grazing in the meadow across from us, picking its head up and watching us in mild astonishment as we quietly pass by. Eventually we leave the quiet of the forest and climb to the top of the ridge, I gaze around in wonder as the country opens up around us, we are on top of the world. Far below us stands of timber and grassy meadows open up for miles, the country is so big so vast. We take a short break at the top of the ridge, tether our horses and pull our lunches from our saddle bags, quite the idyllic spot Lee has chosen for lunch. He smiles as we sit down quietly conversing as we eat, discussing the hunt and the expectations of the coming season.
Lunch is done, back in the saddle Lee informs me we still have 4 hours of riding minimum, smiling he turns away and leads the string up the trail. We are on the ridge-top now, snaking our way up one mountain and carefully negotiating our way down the other side. Valleys flow out below us on the left as sheer cliffs border our right hand side, the view is breathtaking green on green dotted with the occasional blue of high mountain lakes and streams. Up ahead a mountain goat leaps from shelf to shelf attempting to evade us as we progress further up the trail, the horses keep a careful eye on the treacherous footing, carefully selecting each place they step navigating their way over rocks and through tree stands. Looking around I lose myself in the beauty of my surroundings, I've lived here my whole life but it never gets dull. Each rise opens to new splendors of nature, unique rock formations, high mountain valleys, stands of timber that roll across the foothills below us. The sky is clear and blue, we are definitely wandering through gods country, inundated by the gifts bestowed upon us. Now on our right is the border to Yellowstone National Park unspoiled tracts of wilderness, largely unseen from below and difficult to put into words, we ride on to the south further into the void, further from civilization and the uncouth masses.
This is my dream, exploring new country, horseback riding, seeking the peaceful places. All is well.....
Check back later for more.........
No comments:
Post a Comment