Passing on Narrow Trail

[BuckSmasher]

Came across this article when looking up horse packing info: https://cowboystatedaily.com/2024/1...rest-service-from-blowing-up-horse-carcasses/


And it raises two questions: First, what do y'all do when you meet another pack train on steep, narrow trail? So far we have been blessed with not to bad areas to pass, but there are few places that we hunt that are so tight I just hold my breath and pray we don't meet anyone. I have no idea how we could do it.

Second, have you had a horse die in the backcountry? What did you do?

 

[carlc]

In my experience, the larger or loaded string will have the right of way. We have met two strings head on before, and had to turn all animals in one string around to backtrack to where we could pass. That is where it pays off to have a rider in the back, now the front, and to have animals that will run anywhere in a string. I know some busy trailhead have an unwritten rule of in in the morning, out in the afternoon.

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Larger string gets the right of way. It sucks but a lot of times you just hope you don’t run into anyone. Where we are we usually have the biggest string and if someone else is on the trail they are just rec riders since I’m the only permitted outfitter in my area.

But there’s also other issues if I have to turn around and ride back 2 miles to another spot and you would have to ride 100 yards I’m going to politely ask you to turn around.

Usually when meeting others on the trail we both have an idea of the area or atleast I do an can suggest who turns around or what the best option is for the safety of everyone.

Haven’t lost a horse myself in the back country although I know people who have, here in CO the blowing carcasses isn’t needed as much because we don’t have grizzlies and essentially of the animal is far enough off the trail the just leave it. Last time we found one dead in my area it was 20’ off the trail, the USFS called me to go in with them when they were notified and the carcass was basically eaten to nothing by then. Idk when it died or why it took so long to report. But must not of worried to many


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[BuckSmasher]

In my experience, the larger or loaded string will have the right of way. We have met two strings head on before, and had to turn all animals in one string around to backtrack to where we could pass. That is where it pays off to have a rider in the back, now the front, and to have animals that will run anywhere in a string. I know some busy trailhead have an unwritten rule of in in the morning, out in the afternoon.

I have thought about that unwritten rule, and wondered if it is a 'thing'. It makes pretty good sense though.

Larger string gets the right of way. It sucks but a lot of times you just hope you don’t run into anyone. Where we are we usually have the biggest string and if someone else is on the trail they are just rec riders since I’m the only permitted outfitter in my area.

But there’s also other issues if I have to turn around and ride back 2 miles to another spot and you would have to ride 100 yards I’m going to politely ask you to turn around.

Usually when meeting others on the trail we both have an idea of the area or atleast I do an can suggest who turns around or what the best option is for the safety of everyone.

Haven’t lost a horse myself in the back country although I know people who have, here in CO the blowing carcasses isn’t needed as much because we don’t have grizzlies and essentially of the animal is far enough off the trail the just leave it. Last time we found one dead in my area it was 20’ off the trail, the USFS called me to go in with them when they were notified and the carcass was basically eaten to nothing by then. Idk when it died or why it took so long to report. But must not of worried to many


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I don't mind turning around, I just hope it doesn't happen in the worst spots! Lol. One trail we use a lot runs along a creek about 50-100 feet above it. Most of it is just steep slope above and below the trail, some of it was blasted out of rock by the CCC back in the 1930's I guess and there isn't enough room to turn a horse around. I guess we would have to try and back them up. Thankfully those sections are all less than 50 yards or so.

 

[Pony Soldier]

I have been fortunate to have ground we can pass on and get far enough apart so everyone gets along.

Many years ago I had to pack into the Great Bear for work. I brought along a young gelding for packing experience. The hot ride in the trailer (August) caused him to road founder. It didn't show up for a couple days so get him out I cut pads for his front feet out of my sleeping pads and covers out of my lower chaps and walked him out.

I had never seen it before so I took him to my vet for an education and put him down. Had I shot him in the pucker brush, I would have had to notify the Forest Service and they would send in a blaster to 'mist him' with dynamite to avoid a potential bear issue.

I watched them do that with a small herd of beef that had been poisoned and died. They didn't use enough powder and the sky rained rotten meat for a bit. Then they had the summer help go pick up the chunks and take them to the dump. Ugly job!!!