About Us
Meetings
Our club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Town
Hall in Hudson. All interested recreational horsemen are invited.
History
The Wind River Chapter, the first Back Country Horsemen chapter in the State
of Wyoming, was formed in 1989. Chapter membership is primarily from
Fremont County with representation from the cities of Riverton, Lander,
Pavillion, Dubois, and Shoshoni, as well as the rural areas. Current 2010
membership is approximately 55.
Since its inception, the Wind River Chapter has been a leader at both the
state and national levels in promoting the goals and objectives of the Back
Country Horsemen of America. Over the years, the chapter has had an
exemplary record of volunteer service for many work projects on national
forest and BLM lands within Fremont County. Wind River members have
represented Wyoming on numerous state and national boards related to
recreational trails. Members have also served in leadership roles at
the state and national BCHA level. A cadre of members have participated in the
Leave No Trace training program and several have earned their Master
Trainer’s credentials.
Beginning in early 2005, the Shoshone National Forest began the rewrite
of their forest management plan. Early in the plan development, the
chapter created a working Public Lands Committee whose goal was to be
involved in the process in order to safeguard and promote recreational pack
and saddle stock use on forest lands. While this has required a great
deal of participation on the part of the committee, results have been very
positive. Concerns related to equine use on public lands may be
addressed to the chapter Public Lands Chairman at
redmule@wyoming.com.
Projects
On March 2, 2008, the Wind River Back Country Horsemen and Central Wyoming
College Equestrian Club were partners at a horse-packing clinic held at the
college horse barn. Approximately 20 students and an equal number of Back
Country Horsemen participated in the event. Al Sammons of WRBCH chaired
the activity, which focused on providing the students with experience in horse
packing, familiarity with equipment, loading the animals and securing the loads.
The WRBCH provided twelve head of pack stock and a variety of pack saddles,
pads, panniers, pack covers and items to load.
For a social activity at our latest club meeting, we had a potluck supper with
the theme, "What do you eat on a pack trip?" No one shared their steaks!!
However, we did get some useful ideas on recipes, food storage and lightweight
foods to bring. We have also watched a DVD made by Judy Inberg on our work
project of September 2007 on the Continental Divide Trail signing.
Alex Wolfer is working on an application of a grant from the Recreation Board.
If granted, this money will be used to purchase a chainsaw and storage trailer
for our chapter. This will be very helpful for our service projects.
Our commitment to maintaining part of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) located
between Pine Creek and the Sweetwater Gap Ranger Station is tentatively planned
for early June, depending on the snow and access in that area.
Other projects and activities are scheduled throughout the summer and fall.
Members will be notified by phone, e-mail, or post card. Tentative service
projects include signage of the Continental Divide Trail on the BT, packing
supplies for the Forest Service, and an invasive species inventory on the
Shoshone NF.
Trail Rides
