Equestrian Trails Incorporated

October 31, 1994, Death Valley became a National Park, making it the largest National Park outside Alaska. Death Valley has an unusual variety of features ranging from Telescope Peak at 11,049 feet to Badwater at 282 feet below sea level, to the largest sand dunes in California.

Death Valley National Park, you may think of the low desert, well there are other elements to this park, it's 3.3 million acres, 60 percent is over 1,000 feet in elevation and it goes to 11,000 feet. Not only are there sand dunes, but there are sagebrush flats, hills that almost have a grassland appearance to them, then there is high country. You can stand in your stirrups, look around you and not see a sign of man. Ninety-five percent of Death Valley is classified as wilderness. That means no motor vehicles, whether there's a road or not, but it's all open to horses.

About The Ride

Equestrian Trails, Inc. has been putting this ride on since 1962 during the first week of November. It is a six day ride that follows, in reverse, the old historic 20-Mule Team Trail from Ridgecrest, California to Furnace Creek in Death Valley as part of the Death Valley 49er's Annual Encampment.

Rides each day will vary, averaging between 6 - 7 hours a day. We cover approximately 125 miles in 6 days, making camp at a new location each night with your gear waiting for you. There is a Vet and Shoer on the ride, in case of any problems. There are warm showers waiting in camp each evening.

Before leaving on the ride, all rigs are taken to a designated location at Furnace Creek, where they will be waiting at the end of the ride. The drivers are shuttled back to the Ridgecrest starting point. The ride fee includes three meals a day for you and feed for your horse (alfalfa hay & 4-way grain) and transportation of your gear each day.

As the ride moves out from Valley Wells, look back for a final view of Searles Dry Lake. Try to imagine the Jayhawkers lost in Death Valley and their shock as they came over the mountains, expecting to see some sign of water? As the ride moves over and through the Slates, there are many different types of geology to see. The whole of the Panamint Valley can be seen from the top. It is awesome to see all the different colors of the Panamint Range and the dry lake bed of Panamint Valley. The ride leaves Panamint Valley and travels up Goler Wash Road, south of Coyote Canyon Road, following Goler Wash up to Mengel Pass (4,320 feet). This area is filled with many springs, mines, and beautiful rock formations. The tallest peak in Death Valley is Telescope Peak (11,049') in the Panamint Range.

The ride travels through the most beautiful and varied geological formations ever found in one place; much of which can be seen at various times as the Mengel Pass (4,320') is crossed.

Isadore Daunet, Gilbert Clemons, J. M. McDonald, Myron Harmon, and C. C. Blanch located claims of borax on 260 acres near Bennett's Well and formed the Eagle Borax Company.

on the last day everyone gets all dressed up for a grand entry at the Furnace Creek49er parade. The riders become part of the annual 49ers Celebration Parade. It is amazing to see the number of people that are along the highway. The perfect end to a wonderful ride and week.
For any questions or an application to attend this year's ride, don’t hesitate to call either chair. They will be happy to help you.