THE SUMMER XP RIDE

SCHELLBOURNE, NEVADA

250 Mile 5-day Pioneer Ride

SUMMER XP

FORT SCHELLBOURNE, NEVADA

June 2^th, 3^th,4^th,5^th and 6^th, 2008

This five day loop ride takes place on the original pony express trail and adjacent trails in eastern Nevada. Each ride is a separate ride that starts and finishes at the Schellbourne Ranch, site of the original pony express station. All of the trails are in the Schell Creek range, which is north of the Great Basin National Park. This typical great basin country consists of sagebrush covered valleys that give way to cedar and pinion foothills that eventually rise up to alpine mountains.  Many people are surprised to find the dense fir and conifer forests that cap these spectacular mountains. The deep snowdrifts that cover the trail into early July are a surprise to many of the riders.  The views from the alpine trails are awe-inspiring.  Come and join us where the old west remains as it was over a hundred years ago.

BASE CAMP:   The base camp is located in a field on the Schellbourne Ranch, a couple of miles east of the previous ride camp.  The camp is located two miles east of the junction of Hwy 93 and Nv hwy 2.  Go 35 miles north of Ely, NV on Hwy 93 and turn east on Nevada Hwy 2, a good graded road. There are no facilities at camp but we will have the XP Shower trailer there and the ranch managers will cook meals and serve them at the station, in the evening for a reasonable fee.  We will be making several trips to the station each evening for those needing a ride. The camp this year is on the south side of the graded road on a bluff above the creek.

TRAIL:  The well marked trails wind through the foothills and mountains east of Hwy 93.  The terrain, although steep in places, offers excellent footing and the ride boasts one of the highest completion rates for five day rides. There is abundant natural water along the trail. Most of the trail is single track or two track wagon and jeep roads.  The spring grass, along with the fragrant aroma of the desert wildflowers make for a memorable riding experience.

AWARDS:  Individual awards are available for the fastest time and best condition of each ride. There are also awards for the overall fastest time and the overall best conditioned horse.  Daily participation awards will be given to all horse and rider teams.  Riders who complete all five days will receive jackets or plaques.

CALL ANN NICHOLSON AT 760 977-1007 OR DAVE NICHOLSON AT 775 233-6030 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

E-MAIL duck@xprides.com