Horseback Riding in the Mountains of Colorado

Last weekend Chip Lenihan rode from Capitol City, CO (near Lake City) up over the pass at 12, 150 ft. elev. Just below the sixth highest mountain in Colorado, Uncompahgre Peak (14,309).  The trip lasted three days and was led by legendary cowboy Howard Linscott of Ridgway, CO, who used to herd thousands of sheep and cattle in this area during the summers back in the 1950’s. 

We rode horseback and came upon a flock of sheep right after this picture and two Great Pyranees sheep dogs charged our group.  These guys went about 150 lbs. apiece, but had their collective asses whooped by Howard’s cow dog (50 lb. border collie). Howard told us any good cow dog could whip a sheep dog all day long.  I was real proud of my client and friend, Dave Hoop from Texas, for staying in the saddle during the hoopla, as all of the horses got in the rodeo mood during the fight. Bull Nerlin pulled his colt out to help Rodeo (the border collie) during the fight, but thankfully never fired as God knows who he would have hit! Just after the fight and rodeo, we had a pretty typical “dodge your basic lightening bolt thunderstorm” ride on into camp at the Silverjack Mine.  Thank God there was another fellow named Jack (Daniels) waiting for us at the camp.