Horseback
Basecamp Pack Trips | Continental Divide Trail Progressive Pack Trip | Packing Service | Horseback Rides
Horseback Expeditions and Pack Trips...
All of our trips are horseback, whether it be a two-hour horseback ride on our 1200 acre private Quarter Horse Ranch, a day ride into the San Juan National Forest, a five day basecamp pack trip or an extended expedition on the Continental Divide Trail. All of our hunts are horseback as well. We are fortunate in that we have the most beautiful place in the world in which to base all of our adventures.
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Packstring on the Trail just above
the Lower Park Camp
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Basecamp Pack Trips...
Our pack trips are simply the finest horseback adventures anywhere. We travel into one of the most spectacular areas of the Western United States, deep in the Weminuche Wilderness of the San Juan Mountains. This area was heavily glaciated and the valleys are textbook geologic featuring meandering streams through enormous valleys with hanging waterfalls on the valley walls, great expanses of exposed granite and huge moraines.
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Over the Hill Outfitters Camp at
Lower Park
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Lower Park Camp sits at 10,500’ in a beautiful meadow in the glaciated canyon of the Florida River. Our full service camps are equipped with wall tents, cots and pads. Our cook tent has a woodstove with an oven where we bake biscuits and even pies! We believe that food is as important as the wilderness experience and we know you’ll enjoy our delicious meals. Fifteen minutes upstream from camp is City Reservoir, built in the late 1800’s by the city of Durango to store water. Today, it no longer is used by Durango, but instead provides some of the best lake fishing in the San Juans. The fish are not always big, but they are lively! Less than a mile downstream, the canyon boxes off and is unpassable. You can feel the presence of bear and elk in the air as you wander through this true wilderness.
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View into Vallecito Basin from Trimble
Pass
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The list of activities to do is endless. Among our favorites is a ride to one of many high mountain ridges, enjoying incredible views, wildflowers, and of course, elk. Chicago Basin is one of the most sought out destinations in the San Juans but one of the most crowded. We ride horses to the rim where we have the most spectacular view of the Basin and the Fourteen thousand foot mountains surrounding it— and you won’t see another person! Trimble Pass is another spot that you will never forget. And if you’re up for it, we can climb to the top of Mount Sheridan for a view that is unmatched.
West Virginia Camp is located in the spruce and fir trees at 11,300 ft. This is a true wilderness setting with large cliffs lining the valley that West Virginia Creek winds through. The fishing is fabulous in this native cutthroat stream, a rarity in today’s world of invasive trout species. Virginia Creek is a moderate hike away with predominantly Rainbow Trout in its waterfalls and meanders. We can also fish the clear waters of Emerald Lake and if you are adventurous, Webb Lake which has some very large trout that hardly ever get fished. The views of Pigeon and Turret Peaks and the rest of the Needle Mountains are breathtaking on the way to these high mountain lakes.
Basecamp Pack Trip Prices & Dates
Continental Divide Trail-- Horseback Adventure on Top of the World...
This is the horseback adventure of a lifetime! We spend eight days following
the spine of the Continental Divide through the Weminuche Wilderness of
the San Juan Mountains which have the highest average elevation in the United
States. The Continental Divide Trail is the newest trans-continental trail
from Canada to Mexico. We travel from Silverton to Wolf Creek Pass, arguably
the most beautiful section of the entire trail. The terrain ranges from
volcanic domes to jagged granitic peaks with alpine lakes lurking between.
This is a true adventure where the weather and the terrain interplay, only
letting us pass when the conditions are just right. Our horses are the best
mountain horses anywhere and will transport you safely on this 85 mile traveling
camp expedition. This is a trip for experienced hikers horseback riders
looking for the ultimate in scenery and adventure.
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Clockwise from right: Riding along
the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) with Pigeon and Turrett Peak in
the Distance; Camping Light and Fast at Nebo Creek with the Guardian
Looking Over Us; Riding on Top of the World-- the CDT near Piedra
Creek
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Progressive Pack Trip Prices & Dates
Continental Divide Trail Ride Trip Cost Analysis
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Our Animals Will Pack Anything,
Anywhere
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If you have a place to go and need to get your equipment there, Over the Hill Outfitters can help. We can transport your camp and climbing gear so that you can spend more time peak-bagging and less time hauling your supplies in and out of the mountains. We can get you and your equipment to the top of the Continental Divide so that you can enjoy an extended trek. If you’re planning a scientific or photographic expedition, we can safely move your equipment and camps to remote locations. The possibilities are endless. Just ask and we can arrange to transport almost anything. The cost for our packing service is based on the weight and bulk of the gear and the number of animals needed to carry it in addition to the number of wranglers and their horses needed to get the job done.
Horseback Rides...
"15 Minutes From Durango-- Far From the Highway"
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Horseback Riding Along the Shoreline
of City Reservoir
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Over the Hill Outfitters offers horseback rides both in the San Juan National Forest (SJNF), the Weminuche Wilderness, and on the 1200 acres of the Palmer Quarter Horse Ranch. We have a ride that is perfect for you. If you’re looking for a two hour ride, join us on our Ranch ride which travels through the Gambel Oak and Ponderosa Pine foothills and climaxes with a 360 degree view at 8135 feet. From there you’ll appreciate a gorgeous view of Durango and the La Plata Mountains. For indulgence in wilderness, try a full day ride in the San Juan National Forest. You’ll wander through Aspen and Douglas Fir, enjoy abundant wildflowers, and savor views of the Florida Basin and the Needle Mountains.
