East Beaver Valley · Backcountry rides
Colorado horseback riding on real ranch horses.
Half-day rides on the East Beaver trail network. The wranglers pair you with a horse they know. Some riding experience preferred.
- 14 mi
- Trail network
- Age 7+
- On the trail
- No exp
- Required
- $220
- Half-day / rider
The Elk Glade trail network covers about fourteen miles across the lower bench, the south meadow, the upper aspen, and the East Beaver Creek crossings. Rides are half-days: up through the upper aspen loop, with lunch on the porch and Pikes Peak to the north.
The horses are ranch horses — a mix of working quarter horses and a few easy-riding favorites we keep for less experienced riders. Every horse is paired to a rider during orientation; nobody rides a horse that doesn’t fit them. The pace is walk and easy trot on most rides. Faster pace available on request for experienced riders. We don’t push the horses or the guests.
The wranglers are knowledgeable, patient, and good company. They’ll show you how to read a track, name the wildflowers, and tell you the history of the ranch if you ask. Several have been on this ground for the better part of a decade.
Duration
Half-day rides. We’ll pick the country.
Half-day ride
Upper aspen loop. Lunch on the bench.
$220
Prices per rider. Groups of 6+ get a 10% reduction; family packages quoted on request.
What you’ll see
A morning on the East Beaver.
First light from the barn. Cool air, dew on the meadow, the sound of horses shifting. Orientation runs about twenty minutes — basics on rein, stop, turn, where to look on the trail.
Out the gate, the trail drops through the lower meadow toward the creek. Walk pace. The wranglers point out the things you’d miss on foot — the bear rub on the ponderosa, the elk track that ran through here at dawn, the spot where a mountain lion took a deer last winter.
By the time you turn back, the sun is on the south face of Pikes Peak and the aspen are catching it.
Frequently asked.
Can kids come along?
Children are welcome. Our smallest tack is sized for riders age ten and older — younger riders may find the saddle and stirrups don't fit them properly. If you've got a party with kids, call us first and we'll talk through whether a given ride fits.
What will I see on a ride?
Mule deer on most rides; elk on the upper meadows in fall; hawks and golden eagles overhead; wildflowers in summer, aspen turning in early fall, and Pikes Peak to the north. The route varies by season — wranglers pick based on conditions.
Is this safe for first-time riders?
Horseback riding carries inherent risks, even on a calm horse with a good guide. Under Colorado's equine activity statute (C.R.S. 13-21-119), riders accept those inherent risks, and every rider signs our release before the ride. The wranglers brief you, match you to a horse, and ride at the pace of the group. Some riding experience is preferred; if you're unsure, call Jim before you book.
Can I bring my own horse?
Call Jim Johnson to discuss.
What about weather?
Light rain we ride through. Lightning or a real storm we hold or shift the timing. Mountain weather in summer can change fast — we make the call at the barn.
Plan a ride
Send a note with your dates and party size.
Most rides book a week or two ahead. Holiday weeks (July 4, Labor Day) fill faster. We’ll match your party to the right horses.
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