Questions That You Might Want To Ask

What is Montana High Country Cattle Drive?
We are a one-of-a-kind vacation experience. Set in the mountains of southwestern Montana, we share our traditional family cattle drives with you. Our family ranches have been trailing their cattle to the mountains from our valley for over a century. You get to be a part of these drives, participating in all the action of sorting and moving cattle and getting the herds to the high mountain pastures.

Who can come on a Montana High Country Cattle Drive?
We've hosted families with teenage children, honeymooners, grandparents, and all ages in between. As long as you are in generally good health, have a sense of adventure, and enjoy the outdoors, you'll enjoy our cattle drives.

Do I need to be an experienced horseback rider?
One of the beautiful things about our cattle drives is that they do lend themselves well to all levels of riding experience. There are places and jobs for experienced riders who want to ride further faster and harder and there are places for less experienced riders who may just want to float along with the herd. If you can sit balanced in the saddle with weight in the stirrups, you should get along fine.

What kind of horse will I get to ride?
Most of our horses have Quarter horse breeding. Other breeds include Appaloosa, Paint, Morgan, Tennessee Walker, Arab, and Thoroughbred.

Where will I stay?
We camp along the route of the cattle drive. We have large wall tents set up and ready for occupancy at the campsites. These tents comfortably accommodate 4 to 8 people. Couples, families, or others preferring more privacy may request smaller tents. The crew dismantles the small tents and moves them to each new campsite and sets them up again. You will be asked for your preference of lodging prior to the drive.

What do I need to bring for staying overnight on the trail?
You need to bring a warm sleeping bag (A flannel liner or extra blanket are recommended in case of cool weather). We furnish sleeping pads to go underneath the sleeping bags. The large tents have heaters in them, but you'll still want a warm sleeping bag. Bring personal toiletries, and casual outdoor clothing. The smaller privacy tents have no heaters and may not remain completely dry in a torrential downpour.

How about bathing and toilet facilities?
We're still working on the perfect shower! We have plenty of warm water for daily washing, and provide biodegradable soap. During the week, you'll get a chance to soak in a natural warm sulfur spa, with water chemically comparable to that at Baden-Baden. We usually camp near a creek with a good swimming hole or so. We have Portatoilets on a lowboy trailer that travels with the drive. They are available at rest stops and remain in camp until the last rider leaves each day.

Will I be safe?
Your safety is probably our biggest concern and worry. However, we cannot guarantee your safety. You will be crossing wide open mountainous country on a large mobile animal, the horse, chasing other large mobile animals, cows. There are certain risks and dangers inherent in pursuing this adventure. In this regard, you will be required to sign a release and waiver of liability and an assurance that you have adequate medical insurance coverage before you start the cattle drive. Please contact us if you would like to view the release form prior to your arrival.

What about medical services?
We have a certified emergency medical technician or physician on every drive to attend any emergency medical situation. We have radios and cell phones along, and can be in touch with the ambulance in minutes. Commonly, most medical attention is devoted to sunburn, allergies due to dust or pollen, and mild dehydration. It is very important at our altitude to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water!

What kind of weather can I expect?
Hot, cold, warm, sunny, windy, warm, cool, drafty, exquisite...That will cover most of it. Anything is possible in Montana's weather! The cattle have to go when it's time, so we've experienced every kind of weather, and are prepared to make the best of it. Think layers in clothing, and bring raingear.

What about meals?
We have a fully equipped cookwagon on the drive. You'll be served hot family style meals at breakfast and supper every day. Noon meals are generally taken along the trail, and may be a sack lunch, or may be a hot meal delivered by the camp crew. If you have any special dietary requirements, we are happy to accommodate them. Just let us know in advance of your arrival.

What about alcoholic beverages?
We cannot provide alcohol, but we can pack any libation which you care to purchase prior to the drive. A cocktail around the campfire can take the sting out of soar aching muscles.

Will I actually participate in real cowboy work?
Yes. You and three other guests will have your own wrangler. Together the five of you will become a team responsible for every phase of the cattle herding process. Some days you might be in "drag" position (end of the herd). Other times you will be working the "flank" position (sides of the herd), or you might even have you own "mini-herd" to trail. Sometimes when we are moving a herd of 1000 head, the cattle from "point to drag" will be strung out well over a mile along the trail.

How many head of cattle can I expect to drive?
Each cattle drive is different, but generally speaking, the smallest herd you will send up the trail will be about 400 head (200 pairs). The largest number that we trail is about 1000 head. Keep in mind that our cattle drives are "the real McCoy," and the cattle movements we make have to be done. We move cattle from at least four different ranches, and each ranch has different needs and varying numbers of cattle.

Will I actually get up into the mountains?
You bet! Many of our cattle drives start out on the Missouri Valley floor at elevation around 4000 feet. We trail east up the Big Belt Mountains and move the cattle through canyons with limestone rim rocks and trail across high ridges through Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine forests. Except when we are in the depths of the canyons, distant snowcapped mountains are always in view. The high ridges of the Big Belts go between 7,500 and 9,500 feet of elevation. Mountain ranges visible in the distance include the Bridgers, 10,000 feet; Spanish Peaks, 10,800 feet; Crazy Mountains, 10,800 feet; Tobacco Roots, 10,400 feet; Elkhorn Mountains, 9, 500 feet; Castle Mountains, 8,500 feet.

How many people will be on the drive?
We limit each drive to 35 to 45 guests. A fully-booked cattle drive will result in 55-60 mounted riders, which tends to make a herd of cattle get up and pay attention! Visitors find the large remuda of horses picketed and corralled each night a memorable and impressive sight.

Will we be in the saddle from daylight to dark?
No. You'll be riding for several hours each day, in order to get the cattle moved up to forty miles by the end of the drive. But there is plenty of time after the cattle are corralled in the afternoons to fish, to hike, to take a short trail ride to watch elk and deer, or to just relax. After supper each night we have entertainment such as cowboy poetry, natural history presentations, or roping classes. On some drives, we take advantage of a nearby hot spring for an evening's relaxation after supper.

Where can I go fishing?
At most camps, we have a creek running by that you can fish in. And, we will teach you how to fly fish if you are interested. You'll need to purchase a fishing license when you arrive for your cattle drive experience.

I would like to come out for some time either before or after the cattle drive. Do you have places to stay or activities to offer?
If you'd like to come early or stay later, you need to make arrangements with members of Montana High Country Cattle Drive. Our members offer a variety of lodging, fishing, floating, pack trips, trail rides, and working ranch experiences. See the directory to access more information about the additional services our members offer. We'll also direct you to local motels, bed and breakfasts, and eating places if you want to spend some time on your own.

Are there any nearby attractions I'd like to visit?
Yellowstone Park is about a hundreds miles away, as is Virginia City, the only restored gold rush mining town in the country. The drive to each of these places is a beautiful trip. Lewis & Clark Caverns, a spectacular limestone cave formation, is about forty miles away. The Montana State Historical Museum and the Broadwater County Museum are well worth visiting. There are many scenic, historic, and impressive places in southwest Montana that give you a flavor of our ranching and mining roots. Besides experiencing a slice of ranching life with us, you might like to pan for gold or sapphires, or follow part of Lewis and Clark's trail along the upper Missouri River.

Where do I fly to and how do I reach Townsend?
We meet our guests at the Bozeman airport or Bozeman motels between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the first day of the drive. You are then transported to Townsend where we have an hors d’houevers reception at one of the local restaurants where you meet other guests who have traveled by car. At this time, guests will have the opportunity to purchase fishing licenses, alcohol or last minute items. After all guests have gathered, we will travel to the first tent camp.

What about tipping?
The price of the cattle drive is all inclusive, but if any of the wranglers or camp crew perform some services above and beyond the call of duty, a modest gratuity  would be appreciated