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"Saddle -n- Paddle"

Horseback riding in Idaho Wilderness and the Whitebird Summitt 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

1-888-547-4837  or  e-mail: brenda@idahoriver.com

Sample Package

(just one variation of what you could expect)

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. 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 $58.00 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.

Questions and Reservations Call 1-888-547-4837

© Mountain River Outfitters, LLc.  -   Riggins, Idaho

Call us to customize a package that is right for you

Mountain River Outfitters, LLc. is an equal opportunity recreation service provider and employer under authorization from the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Mountain River Outfitters, LLc. is licensed and bonded outfitter in the State of Idaho and Oregon under special use permits by the U.S.F.S and the B.L.M. Some activities are operated licensed outfitters.