The winner of the 2014 Double Diamond Award is the Beartooth Back Country Horsemen (BBCH) of Montana. The Beartooth Back Country Horsemen of Montana (BBCH) members won the the award for their efforts by spearheading the largest coalition of volunteers and government ever to open the Ernie Strum Trail––a trail to Lily Pad and Crater Lakes in Montana. Here is the full paper presented at the … Read More
The United States Forest Service manages 158,000 miles of trails that provide a wide array of recreational opportunities and access to America’s National Forests. These trails provide world class opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation. National Forest trails provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. Further, … Read More
Last week, the National Forest “trails bill” we supported last year was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Tim Walz (D-MN). The bill, the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act (H.R. 845), continues to spur high-level dialogue and a search for solutions to the growing trail maintenance crisis on our national forests. BCHA strongly … Read More
New legislation calls for improved investments in National Forest Trail System Contacts: Paul Spitler, The Wilderness Society (202) 360-1912 Jim McGarvey, Chairman of Back Country Horsemen of America (706) 669-1015 Ben Pendergrass, American Horse Council (202) 296-4031 WASHINGTON (February 10, 2015) – Outdoor recreation and conservation groups including the Backcountry Horsemen of America, The Wilderness Society, the American Horse Council, … Read More
Back Country Horsemen of America preserves our right to ride horses on public lands, and seeks to inspire respect and appreciation for the wild lands that are fast disappearing. Those untouched landscapes and everything in them are a valuable resource, even the insects. Honeybees are responsible for the pollination of around a third of our country’s crop varieties, such as … Read More
We are deeply saddened that one of our BCHA founders, Ken Ausk from Columbia Falls, Montana passed away Sunday evening surrounded by his family. Ken was feeling well Saturday taking care of his horses and watching Montana football on TV. Later that evening, Ken suffered a stroke. Ken was 80 years old and married to his sweetheart Phyllis. He was … Read More
Submitted by National Park Traveler Staff on October 7, 2014 – 12:41am Bryce Canyon National Park has backed off from a proposal to require private horse owners to hire guides to ride in the park Public opposition has led Bryce Canyon National Park officials to drop their proposal to require all private horse groups to hire a guide to ride … Read More
Left to right: Brenda Cecil, President of Mammoth Cave BCH Sarah Craighead, Superintendent of Mammoth Cave Nat. Park Ginny Grulke, President of KY BCH On October 15, 2014, Mammoth Cave National Park Superintendent Sarah Craighead signed an agreement with representatives of the Mammoth Cave Backcountry Horsemen, as a way to improve maintenance of the park’s horse trails. “Our agreement with … Read More
In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, BLM-Utah’s intrepid adventure crew recently set out on a unique backpacking trip into Red Mountain Wilderness in Southwestern Utah. Supported by the Back Country Horsemen of Utah Southwest Chapter and the Snow Canyon State Park Trail Rides, the group sought to gain vital perspective and knowledge, interviewing a broad range … Read More
Every trail has a history, and Back Country Horsemen of America defends our right to be a part of it from the back of a horse, the way our ancestors were. The Duckabush Trail tells a story of sustained hard work, needless calamity, and the progress that can be accomplished when people from different walks of life work together toward … Read More
