2025 XP Rides

Picket Post XP

January 4 & 5, 2025

Picketpost Mountain is an eroded volcanic vent topped with a lava flow that is approximately 18 million years old. There was a military post that became the town of Superior and the military gave the mountain its name as it was an ideal observation point to protect the military camp. The Superstition Mountains are visible to the north, and Weavers Needle is the spire to the west. We may be too early to see the many varieties of wildflowers in the spring as well as cactus blossoms but that all depends on Mother Nature. In a particularly good year yellow brittlebush and orange poppies cover the hillsides.

Eastern Mojave XP

February 7-8-9, 2025

       The XP Riders welcome you to the Eastern Mojave National Preserve and the 14th annual ride in the Eastern Mojave National Preserve. We hope that you will join us and enjoy the unique and varied scenery of the Eastern Mojave. Over fifty years ago, while working at Valley Wells Ranch, headquartered just north of the Cima Road Rest Area, I had the opportunity to see the desert in a different and more appreciative light. I hope that you will take the time to notice the great variation in animal and plant life that exists in this harsh but beautiful high desert. While travelers on the Interstate fly through this “barren desert” and miss what it has to offer, you will have the opportunity to see more varied forms of plant life than what you have probably experienced on other rides, as you and your horse pass through at a more leisurely rate.

Laurel Mtn XP

March 14-15-16, 2025

We have always had a soft spot in our hearts for the trails around the El Paso Mountains. We used most of these trails in the days when the Death Valley Encounter started with two days here and then moved to Trona.  The trail will touch the spectacular geography of Red Rock Canyon and has been modified in that area to go over the Bonanza Trail, past several old miners cabins and an old time post office.

Cuyama Oaks XP

March 28-29-30, 2025

Most of the ride takes place on private lands that trace back to the old Spanish Land Grants. The trail is more difficult than most XP Rides and ranges from a crude single track to dirt roads. There will be wire gates to open and close as we pass through private cattle country. The trail has some rocky portions that some feel necessitate the use of hoof protection. The elevation ranges from 1600 to 5600 feet if we chose to ride to the top of the Sierra Madre Range. The area is home to mountain lion, bear, coyotes, and an occasional Frozen Duck. The trails wind through the same rolling pastures that have supported cattle since the days of the California Vaqueros.

Caballo Sin Nombre XP

April 18-19-20, 2025

A General Description of this ride is a no frills, low budget, relaxed training ride that will offer riders an opportunity to camp out with friends and ride around the desert on a horse with a name.

The fifty mile rides usually start at 7:00 and the 25’s usually start at 7:30. The trails wind through massive rock formations and forested areas, then break out into panoramic high desert views. Much of the footing is all weather decomposed granite and desert two track with few rocky sections and sand washes thrown in. The trail is easy to moderately difficult but can be easily completed on new horses ridden with care by good horsemen.

Mt. Carmel XP

May 8-9-10-11, 2025

The trails go through a variety of grassy meadows, pinion and juniper forests. The views along the trail are breathtaking.  Most of the trails are sandy or clay, with just enough rocks to make it interesting. The trail is moderately difficult with climbs and good or varied footing. For those of you with extra time, the campsite is an excellent place to camp and see Bryce, Zion or the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  All 4 days of Mount Carmel will loop back into basecamp.

Chicken Creek XP

June 13-14-15, 2025

The camp is in a beautiful meadow off a paved forest road, about 8 miles north of Mancos Colorado. Mancos is between Durango and Cortez on Hwy 160 in the Four Corners area. This is a place you will want to return to for years to come.  We are a short drive from the famous cliff dwellings at Mesa Verde as well as the Durango/Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.   Cell service is good in camp for ATT and Verizon as well as those providers who use the same cell towers.

Strawberry Fields XP

June 27-28-29, 2025

The trails are mostly single track through woodland and open meadows with some gravel roads. There are plenty of creeks and ponds, and an abundance of green grass for horses to snack on. Although it is high altitude, there is significant elevation change. The trails are not difficult and the footing is generally very good. This is an excellent opportunity for those wishing to be introduced to the sport of Endurance Riding in a friendly, relaxed, environment and there will be people around who would be pleased to show you the ropes and get you started.

Grand Canyon XP

August 28-29-30-31, 2025

We ride through beautiful aspen and conifer forests and across wide open meadows through the North Kaibab Plateau on the Arizona Trail and the Rainbow Rim trails. Both of these trails offer spectacular views of the Grand Canyon. The trails course along the rim of the canyon but are far enough back from the cliffs that one does not have to a worry about a fear of heights.  The beautiful foliage, set against a backdrop of heavy green forests and the colors of the Grand Canyon offers a riding experience of a lifetime. The Kaibab Plateau is quite flat on top and the horses will have few, if any, climbs of significance. Although many of the trails are what you would expect in an alpine forest, there are some sections that can be somewhat rocky. We expect cool, mild days but be prepared for chilly nights.

Colorado Fall Color XP

September 26-27-28, 2025

 A General Description of this ride is a no frills, low budget, relaxed training ride that will offer riders an opportunity to camp out with friends and ride around the one of the most scenic mountain ranges in the world. The camp is in a beautiful meadow, a short way off of a paved road.  Basic necessities are available eight miles away in Mancos.  The trails consist of single track mountain trails and 48 inch OHV trails mixed with some Forest Service roads.  There is abundant natural water on the trail.  The ride takes place during the fall color season when the aspen trees are turning yellow and gold.  The pictures replace a thousand words.  This is a time of year when the weather can change quickly in the mountains so be prepared with layered clothing. Fifty years ago we all rode with a slicker tied onto the back of our saddles as afternoon showers were the rule instead of the exception.  I have no idea why modern riders have abandoned that practice.  The footing varies from soft dirt to rocky so hoof protection is recommended.

Sesenta Años

November 7-8-9, 2025

This ride will be held on the beautiful Rancho San Fernando Rey in the upper Santa Ynez River Valley north of Santa Barbara. This is an original Spanish land grant rancho of 37,000 acres looking much like it did 200 years ago. The terrain is classic central California rolling hills and valleys covered with oaks and grass. Unlike John’s ride twelve years ago, this time the basecamp and every inch of the trail will be located on the Ranch.

Trail Description: There will be a different trail each day. There will be plenty of water on the trail at spring fed stock tanks. The trail will mostly use dirt ranch roads and cow trails. Since it may still be very dry in mid November, hoof protection is advisable.