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Methow Valley Summer 2010
The view from the saddle By Stacey Chisam
Rollin’, rollin’, rollin’, keep them doggies rollin’, man my ass is swollen, Rawhide!
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ou don’t have to be an ad exec suffering from a midlife crisis to belt this song out on a horseback ride – especially in the Methow Valley. From your saddle you’ll see breathtaking views, and feel so relaxed that you’ll find it impossible to resist the urge to channel Billy Crystal. There is no shortage of riding options in the Methow Valley, giving visitors the opportunity to ride for as long as they’d like, in the location of their choice. For folks who want an easy trail ride highlighting glorious mountain-top views, Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop offers trips every day for guests and visitors. “Reservations are great but you can call us on the day you want to ride and with so many trips available, we’ll probably be able to fit you in,” admits Bret Alumbaugh, activities director for Sun Mountain
Photo by Dana Sphar
The Methow Valley Backcountry Horsemen’s Spring Ride kicks off the season. Lodge. Private trail rides for more experienced riders are also available. “On a private ride you get to cover
more ground and really see the whole world from up there,” says Kit Cramer, the lodge’s lead wrangler,
who has been riding in the valley for over 20 years and still appreciates the sweeping vistas on every ride. Cramer also operates Kit’s Livery Stable, which is open yearround for overnight boarding with individual pens for every horse. If not everyone in your group wants to sit in a saddle, Sun Mountain’s cowboy dinner and cowboy breakfast rides are a popular choice, as they provide visitors with the option to ride on horseback or in a wagon. Up to 18 riders and 15 people in a horse-drawn wagon travel together to a tasty Western BBQ dinner or a cowboy breakfast at the Hough Homestead. “The wagon rides really are a great option for non-riders or kids under 8 years old,” Alumbaugh points out. “They can meet up with the horseback riders in their group at the homestead and still enjoy the meal together.” For additional trail riding options, check out the Chewack River Guest Ranch in Winthrop and the