Grand Canyon Winter Pastures

During the hey-day of the West's ranching era, wide terraces in the Grand Canyon served as a refuge for cattle from winter storms. These benches — the "Esplanade" — vary in width from 200 yards to a mile wide, and thanks to the exquisite scenery and solitude, are an inviting location for winter camping and exploring.

Definitely not to be confused with infamously tedious donkey rides, this is a rigorous horse pack trip into some of the canyon's least frequented drainages. It is rough going in this country, and riders often dismount to lead the horses through particularly treacherous stretches. You will quickly gain an appreciation for the amazing fortitude of these horses, and their instinctive skill negotiating the rugged trails.

Once the trail drops off the north rim, you are unlikely to meet anyone but the odd desert bighorn sheep, wary mule deer or perhaps glimpse a condor soaring overhead. The groups are small, and everyone must be a competent rider and be willing to lend a helping hand around camp. The few hardy souls who venture into the Winter Pastures will be rewarded by experiencing the grandeur of the canyon as the first explorer did.

Customer Testimonials We consider this ride to be one of the best vacations we have ever had. Besides the spectacular scenery, we also greatly enjoyed the evenings by the campfire – chatting, story telling and great meals. Can't say enough good things about this adventure.
- Diane and John Samatican

Day 1: Pickup in St. George at 1:00pm. Transfer to Hack Canyon where the first camp is located. Become acquainted with the horses and perhaps there will be time for a short ride near camp.

Day 2: After a hearty camp breakfast in the frosty air, saddle the horses and pack the pack horses. Follow the trail down Hack Canyon to the Esplanade, a bench of the Supai formation which runs parallel to the Colorado River and varies in width from 200 feet to a mile. Keep your eyes open for wary desert bighorn sheep, which are often seen in this area.

Day 3: Today's ride takes you deeper into the Canyon as far as Chamberlain Cove, where camp will be made for the night. Along the way, explore the various drainages cutting through the Esplanade. Ride further on to Dripping Springs Canyon, from where one has a spectacular view of the Colorado River some 1500 feet below.

Day 4: Head down Chamberlain Canyon to Kanab Creek. Tonight’s camp will be made in this major tributary of the Colorado River.

Day 5: Leave the pack horses at camp, and ride down Kanab Creek, exploring the inner gorge and some of the side canyons.

Day 6: Climb at a steady pace up Kanab Creek to Hack Canyon and then on further to camp near the rim.

Day 7: After breakfast, break camp and transfer back to St George, to arrive no later than 1: 00pm.

THIS ITINERARY IS FLEXIBLE. CHANGES MAY OCCUR DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.: