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"Saddle and Paddle"
Horseback Riding and the Whitebird Summit
Lodge
 Give
your family vacation a lift by getting away from it all. Whitebird
Summit is a place where we turn back the clock to a slower pace of life
and let families rediscover themselves. Our lodge at the summit captures
the romance of the old west and the rural frontier. It is place that
evokes the spirit of the west and the values of our fore-fathers. Idaho
is one of America's last frontiers. With a chance to experience rural
living, interact with our domestic stock- dogs, cats, horses, mules,
goats and chickens and begin your outdoor adventure. Explore Idaho as
Lewis and Clark did 200 years ago. Ride to the peaks of the Nez Perce
national forest and explore the back country of the Hells Canyon
Wilderness Area.
 Take
an overnight excursion to the Historic Gilmore Ranch. Homesteaded in the
late 1800's the Gilmore cabin is surrounded by the Nez Perce National
forest. No roads, no phones, no tv, just elk, deer, bears, moose, eagles
and some good fishing. Here you will view the majestic peaks of the
Gospel Hump Wilderness area from our cabin. Following John's creek you
will be memorized by the rushing waters below you and the Eagle's
soaring above you.
Nestled in the remote Nez Perce National forest you
will find the Historic Gilmore Ranch. The ranch house has minor
updates from the early 1900’s when the ranch was homesteaded and
actively farmed. Bunk style-sleeping accommodations. Access to the ranch
house is on horseback in some of the most beautiful country you will
ever see.
We customize all of our Saddle n Paddle packages so
please contact us for prices. We offer group and family rates with 5 or
more people.
Watch
a brief video of Horseback Riding in the Idaho Wilderness
Sample Package
 Day
1: Our day starts at the Whitebird Summit Lodge where you will be
introduced to our horses and matched up with a your trail buddy. All of
our boys are perfect gentleman and real dude horses. A short drive to
the trailhead and your journey begins. Your new friend will take you up
a series of switchbacks and will follow the trail 4 ½ miles along Johns
Creek to our secret hideaway. On the way you will be in awe listening to
the rushing waters below and gazing at the mountain peaks. Once we
arrive at the ranch house we will stop for a good old western lunch with
all the fix en's. Wonder the grounds and check out the historic farm
machinery left in the fields, take a snooze on one of the hammocks or
walk the meadow area. You are now on 450 acres of private land
surrounded by National Forest, which means this area will stay pure and
pristine forever.
After lunch you will decide what the day will hold
for you. You can take hike to Johns Creek for some very private stream
fishing, take a short trail ride up to Blue Ridge, or relax at the ranch
house. The choice is yours! After dinner is served the best time of the
day to watch for the herds of elk and deer to appear in the meadow area.
The meadow right outside the cabin is about 100 acres and is prime feed
for the wild animals. Many nights we will see 50 head of elk and another
30 head of whitetail. The moose will also come in periodically and of
course the turkeys are always around. After dark you will hear the
coyotes letting us know they are still around also.
Day 2: Up early for a cowboy breakfast and then it is
off to round up the horses. We have a few different options for our ride
today and one of them may be to ride past the remains of Elmer’s cabin
then cross Gilmore creek and up towards Horse Mountain. Don’t forget to
ask Frank about the gold minor and his fearless demise. We will stop at
Pitnear Camp for a light lunch and then head up to Geddesburg. Our next
adventure is to secure the horses and take a short walk up the hillside
to a point where Frank Brown Creek and John’s creek meet. There we will
glass the hillside for Mountain goats while we get a close up view of
the Gospel Hump. A marvelous view that will capture your heart. Heading
down to John’s creek for some unbelievable stream fishing and dinner on
the shore before heading back to camp. This area is so remote that
rarely does a human have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty. We can
camp at John’s creek or return to Pitnear camp for the night. A night of
campfire stories, roasting marshmallows and star gazing while we sleep
under the stars.
Day 3: After breakfast and another quick glance to
check out the family of mountain goats we will head back to the ranch
house. A stop at Sam Gilmore’s cabin before we hit civilization. As the
story goes Sam ordered his bride through a mail order catalog from back
east. He had finished his home and the land was cleared to farm. It was
going to be a beautiful place for his new bride and for them to raise a
family. But as fate would have it, she became ill the first year and
died. Sam moved in with his brother Elmer after she died and the home
was never lived in again. When you stand in front of the home and look
out onto the meadow area you can almost feel his pain. Back here at the
Gilmore Ranch you will definitely feel the love that the Gilmore
Brothers had for this place. The hard work of clearing the fields, the
unbearable winter weather and the heart break of never marrying and
having a family. Was it all worth it, you judge! I promise you a part of
your heart will ache searching for more information on their past. Frank
will have lots of stories to tell you both fable and truth, just ask.
Add a night at the luxurious Whitebird Summit Lodge. After relaxing in
the hot tub your down for a good night sleep before your next adventure
starts.
Day 4: Come down to Riggins for 1 to 5 days of
whitewater rafting in
Hells Canyon or on
Salmon River.
Prices
1/2 Day Trail Ride ... $65.00* (Kids 14 and under
$58.00 w/2 adults)
Full Day Trail Ride with Lunch ... $125.00* (Kids 14
and under $112.50 w/2 adults)
2 Day Gilmore Pack Trip ... $425.00* (Kids 14 and
under $382.50 w/2 adults)
3 Day Gilmore Adventure ... $550.00* (Kids 14 and
under $495.00 w/2 adults)
1 Night Whitebird Summitt Lodge w/breakfast ...
$120.00* (each additional person $20.00)
Dinner ... $20.00* per person
Lodge per day up to 18 people ... $756.00*
*Prices do not reflect taxes and use fees.
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