Historically helpful packers/trekkers/wagoneers

[Wahkahchim]

I am wondering if there are any professional packers/trekkers/wagoneers who take people across the prairie or into the mountains for $$$$$'s. It's gotta be cheaper than buying a horse. But I'm seeking people I can learn from about the 1840's/1850's, not a modern "rubber tire" experience. Any thoughts? I'm just thinking about next summer. A Sierra experience on horseback is OK too.

[Oregon Bill]

Wahkah: These folks will make you one:

http://www.oxbowwagonsandcoaches.com/

I'm trying to remember the name of a feller in southeastern Oregon that does what you're talking about. Give me a few to search the dusty attic under my hat ...

[Wahkahchim]

Much as it pains me to say this, as a former cattle ranch manager...I now live in a town.  So if I'm going to have an historically accurate horse experience it's going to happen with a guide/horse owner. I don't want to become an urban horse owner: I watched them back when I was managing the ranch, and the care/cost/use ratio is way too high for me. So I'm looking for people who provide the ride for a fee. Yes, I'm sorry to say that I'm undoubtedly going to be dealing with the dude-ranch/horsepacker option, but for the $$$$ that's probably the wisest course.

[Tascosa Joe]

As an uncle of mine used to say if it flies, drives, sails, xxxxxxxx, or rides, rent dont buy.  You figure out what the x's mean.

[Caleb Hobbs]

I read an article several years ago about an outfit in Utah that offered camel tours. I haven't been able to locate that article, but I did find another one from some years back about camel tours through the desert. Couldn't find a website for her, either, but the article is at:  http://utahoutdoors.com/pages/camels.htm

Then there's this Texas outfit that packs in with camels, but with a focus on history. http://www.texascamelcorps.com/default.asp

It ain't horses or wagons, but Jefferson Davis' Camel Corps is certainly a part of our time frame. I'll keep looking for the outfit I read about earlier, although I'm not optimistic anymore. There used to be an outfit that advertised period horseback rides in, I think, True West Magazine. I'll go through some of my old issues and see if I can locate that, as well. Just some thoughts to bounce around...