Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters

October/ November 2009

How many of you out there love to horse back ride? I know I do. I would love to own my own horse but time does not permit me to do this right now . In fact, if I were ready to purchase a horse, I would go to: www.BarleysList.org. I know that I would find reputable sources to help me purchase a sound horse as well as anything else I would need to take care of my horse.

Well, let me share the next best experience I had just a couple of weeks ago. We were really in the mood for a ride. I went to www.BarleysList.org and found Kirkwood Sierra Outfitters. Now, if you want a true authentic riding experience you must contact either Jim or Karen. They are the owners and are two of the nicest people you will ever meet. We made reservations for a four hour ride in the sierras. When you visit their web site, you can choose the ride that meets your needs. Rides range from one to five hours. We chose the Mud Lake Loop ride. What an experience. Jim and Karen are so knowledgeable of the area. The scenery was breathtaking. I loved the fact that this was not just any ordinary ride. You actually feel like you are riding your own horse on a trail ride with friends. Both Jim and Karen match your riding skills with the horse they feel will meet your needs. They are very careful and cautious to make sure you are going to get the ride of a lifetime. Their horses are very well trained and beautiful. They take very good care of them.

I have included pictures of some of the areas we discovered on our ride. The sierras are amazing. The ride takes you up to the top of a mountain where you can see nothing but wilderness for miles. We then proceeded to Mud Lake. What an amazing area. The lake is surrounded by granite rocks that project out of the water. We stopped there to enjoy a bite to eat. When you schedule your ride you can request that it includes lunch. It will cost a little more but it is worth it. You can also pack your lunch as well. Believe me, you work up an appetite. Once we finished lunch, Jim explained that we would be passing a tree that Kit Carson actually carved his name into. Sure enough there it was. What I loved most about the ride is that we never saw the same thing twice. We made one huge loop that took us about four and a half hours. Let me tell you, out of all the rides I have taken, this was the best. You have to try it. Jim and Karen also offer many more services such as Pack Trips, Trail guide and training for people who own their own horses. Check them out, they are the real deal!