Frequently Asked Questions

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

We need everyone to arrive in Sheridan, Wyoming the night before the trip starts. This allows everyone to get started the next day at the same time.

WHERE DO I FLY INTO?

You can either fly to Denver, CO. and take a connecting flight to Sheridan or fly into Billings, Mt. From Billings, we will pick you up and return you to the airport for $135 per person or there is a shuttle flight from Billings to Sheridan. However, the shuttle from Billings to Sheridan does not work well for those coming from the East. The ranch is about 2 hours south of Billings.

WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE?

I can answer that about as accurately as predicting any weather. We are generally in the mid to high 80s for the June trip and 90s for the July trip. The lows are generally in the 50s, but it will seem much colder when we are camped on the creeks. The September trips are a little cooler. Due to the fact that the September trip starts on the Big Horn Mountains at 9,000 feet in the third week in September, you need to come knowing that it can snow. Generally, we are in the high 60s to low 70s for a high and somewhere between 27 and 35 at night. We recommend a bag rated to 0 for this trip.

WHAT TYPE OF SLEEPING BAG DO I NEED?

We recommend a bag rated to 10 for the June and July trips and one rated at 0 or below for the September trip or Clean Up Ride.

WHAT TYPE OF HORSES DO YOU HAVE?

On the Double Rafter, 98% of our horses are Quarter Horses or Quarter Horse Cross.

HOW MANY CATTLE WILL WE BE TAKING?

The allotment allows for 648 cow calf pairs.

CAN I BRING MY OWN SADDLE?

You can certainly bring your own saddle. You will be more comfortable in your own verses a strange one. However, it is your responsibility to make sure your saddle is in proper working condition and has all the proper equipment.

CAN I BRING MY OWN HORSE?

Yes, we allow for that. However, we always encourage everyone to check with their vet before deciding to do so. Due to the elevation differences, in 15 years we have had fewer than 5 people bring their own horses. We are not responsible for any injury to your horse or guarantee your horses safety.

HOW MANY HOURS WILL I BE IN THE SADDLE EACH DAY?

This is a little bit like the weather. Since this trip is the real thing, we will go until we finish the day and reach our destination. This is reality, not Hollywood! Generally, you will be in the saddle a MINIMUM of 6 hours a day.

I'M NOT THE MOST EXPERIENCED RIDER IS THAT A PROBLEM?

Absolutely not! To the best of my knowledge, we are the only cattle drive in the US that starts every trip with a horsemanship clinic run by a clinician. Our goal is to get everyone mounted on a horse that fits their skill level. You cannot have the best week of your life on the wrong horse!

WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE?

We don't set a minimum age, but we are not a babysitting service. Breakfast is at daylight on the June and July trips. Consequently, young kids get very tired and everyone who has ever had kids knows what that means. It will be Mom or Dad's problem to deal with.

I HAVE NEVER HANDLED CATTLE IS THAT A PROBLEM?

We spend the afternoon of the first day on the June and July trips running a cattle-handling seminar. This will give you help and instruction on how to move cattle.

I DON'T WANT A DUDE RANCH!

I can promise you we are not a dude ranch. This is a real working family ranch where you will move the cattle, sleep under the stars and battle the elements. This is not a trail a ride.

HOW IS YOUR CATTLE DRIVE DIFFERENT THAN THE OTHERS?

We are a one-of-a-kind cattle drive. We don't have guest cabins or other dude luxuries. We move our camp with the herd, sleep in tents, cook over the hot coals, and we do not ride nose to tail. For two nights, everything we take has to go on our pack string because the mountain country is only accessible by foot or horseback. You will be tired and dirty and it's a go rain or shine.

ARE THERE DANGERS LIKE WILD ANIMALS?

We have many different wild animals that you may see on the trip including deer, moose, elk, black bears and rattle snakes. As far as we know, we do not have any grizzly bears. In the 20 years we have been running the cattle drives, we have never had anyone hurt by wild animals. However, wild animals are unpredictable.

HOW SAFE ARE YOUR TRIPS?

Anytime you are dealing with animals and nature there is an inherent risk of injury. We attempt to make every trip as safe as possible. We have emergency plans and we take many precautions. On every trip, we try to have a RN, EMT, or someone first aid certified on staff. Our medical person will also be carrying a satellite cell phone. However, we cannot guarantee anyone's safety as accidents can happen.

THE TRIP SOUNDS DIFFICULT, WILL I BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE TRIP?

In almost 20 years and over 900 people, we have had less than 8 drop out. Most of these people have dropped out for personal reasons and not because they were unable to complete the trip.

IF I HAVE TO CANCEL MY TRIP CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK?

The cost of putting these trips together is huge. Costs like insurance, supplies, and advertising all have to be paid up-front so we can't give a refund. If you have purchased a trip and think you might not be able to make it, we recommend trip cancellation insurance. We will honor your money paid towards another trip for a period of two years.

HOW DO I KNOW I WON'T GET A DEAD HEAD HORSE?

The way you answer the questions on our registration form will determine your horse. How you perform during the cattle handling seminar and the horsemanship clinic will determine if you stay on that horse or get moved to another one. We want you on a horse that fits your skill level! It is safer for you and everyone else around you.

WILL I HAVE PHONE SERVICE?

You may have service in certain areas in the valley but I wouldn't count on it! There is no cell phone coverage in the mountains. Besides, I don't recall cell phones being available in the 1880s.

WHAT DO I DO FOR PERSONAL HYGENE?

On the June and July trips we have a shower available for the first two nights. After that, it is the creek! It is very refreshing. There isn't as much dust or dirt on the September trip so you won't feel as dirty as on the June or July trips. On the beef roundups we have a mobile shower unit. However, the unit may not be available every day.

HOW DO I KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO GET WHAT YOU SAY?

We are happy to provide all of the references that you would like and they probably will be from your very own state.

MY SON OR DAUGHTER WOULD LIKE THIS AS A GRADUATION PRESENT, WILL THEY BE SAFE?

My crew is very professional. We are a family operation and have our own children along. Here again, I would be willing to provide all the references that you would like.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE PLASTIC GROUND SHEET?

The plastic ground sheet will keep you dry during the night. If we are having bad weather, the plastic sheet will keep your stuff dry while we are out riding.