Sometimes the only way to slow down and see
Alaska is to get off the road, get out of your vehicle and
get on a horse. Fortunately, several outfitters along the
road system offer you that opportunity on guided trail rides
into Alaska's backcountry. So if you want to see the scenery
go by a little slower than 65 miles an hour, read on.
You need not be an experienced horseman to
enjoy a trail ride through Alaska's backcountry. Most outfitters
are used to taking groups of inexperienced riders out on
the trail, relying on the experience of their guides and
horses to give you a safe ride.
At D&S Alaskan Trail Rides, wrangler Chandra Schrader gives
a Horsemanship 101 lesson to a group of inexperienced riders
before setting off up the trail. Her guest riders are a mix
of teens and adults plus one child, all on a cruise tour of
Alaska and staying at the nearby Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness
Lodge. Chandra demonstrates the basics of turning and stopping
a horse, making sure everyone is comfortable with the commands.
Before heading out single-file, leader Bruce Richardson sorts
the group into the order he wants, based on the personalities
of the horses and the age and experience of the riders.
While all ages and levels of experience can usually be accommodated,
it's a good idea to call the outfitter ahead of time with your
group size and the ages of any young children in your party.
Trail rides can be anywhere from 1 or 2 hours
long to all day or even overnight. Guides may have a number
of different routes to choose from, basing their decision
on time, trail conditions and the desire or experience of
the riders.
At Alaska Horsemen Trail Adventures on the
Kenai Peninsula, wrangler Laura Golightly is leading a short
custom ride for just two guests, both with some riding experience.
With such a small group, they can ride abreast on the wide
sections of trail, rather than single-file, and this makes
conversing a lot easier. After making a detour around a
boggy portion of trail, the three riders arrive at a viewpoint
on the flank of the mountain and take a break to enjoy the
view and stretch their legs.
Alex Kime of Alaska Horsemen Trail Adventures
offers 1- to 2-hour "flatlander" rides for those
short on time or reluctant to ride up the mountain. For
those who don't mind the climb, there are mountain rides
lasting anywhere from 2 hours to a full-day. The longer
trips allow time for a snack or lunch. And there's always
the opportunity to see Dall sheep.
The unique view of the countryside is what sets
trail rides apart from other forms of transportation. A view
away from the intrusions of civilization and the distractions
of traffic, where you can also hear, smell and feel the land.
On trail rides with Denali Saddle Safaris, on Stampede Road
off the Parks Highway, guests get truly spectacular views
of Mount McKinley and the high country on the north side of
the Alaska Range. Mark Marette at Trails End Horse Adventures
on the Kenai Peninsula features half-day trail rides in the
Homer area with views of mountains, glaciers and Fox River
flats. He also offers overnight pack trips to the head of
Kachemak Bay.
Most trail ride outfitters operate from May
or June to September. Contact them at the numbers below.
Also see descriptions in a current edition of The MILEPOST®.
Alaska Horsemen Trail Adventures
Milepost S 44.9 Sterling Highway, Quartz Creek Road
Phone 1-800-595-1806 www.alaskahorsemen.com
D&S Alaskan Trail Rides
Milepost A 132.9 Parks Highway and in Talkeetna
Summer phone (907) 733-2207; winter (907) 733-2208 www.alaskantrailrides.com
Denali Saddle Safari
Milepost A 251.1 Parks Highway, Mile 3.9 Stampede Road
Phone (907) 683-1200
Trails End Horse Adventures
Mile 11.2 East End Road, Homer
Phone (907) 235-6393
