During the warm weather months in Colorado, there might be no better way to explore the Rocky Mountains than on horseback. It’s a realization I took full advantage of during a recent trip with Lexus to Aspen.
I was on hand at the St. Regis Aspen to review the new Lexus NX, but the automaker and the hotel the NX called home for the weekend offered up an afternoon away from road testing. I headed for the nearby Rocky Mountain foothills to join Snowmass Creek Outfitters for a gentle horseback ride through friendly mountain passes.
Related: St. Regis Hotel: Downhill Snapper Bloody Mary
The helpful Outfitters arrange horseback outings for individual summer travelers, groups and hunting parties (in season). They provide the mounts from a herd of more than 200 horses kept in a nearby valley. Experience trail bosses lead riders out over scenic grounds, but the experienced and well-trained horses would know where they were headed without much prompting. My ride was so familiar with the route that he knew where to tuck out to snack on thistle flowers.
An evening ride concludes with a BBQ dinner and campfire back at the ranch to top off an afternoon on the trail, but the star of the equestrian show is still the scenery. For a first person look at what greets the gaze from the saddle, enjoy the gallery below.
Aspen on Horseback
A short ride from downtown Aspen, Snowmass Creek Outfitters offer a closeup look at the Rocky Mountains from horseback.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
Loyal steeds wait to take travelers for a ride through the Rocky Mountains with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The Rocky Mountains from horseback with Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
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Snowmass Creek Outfitters
The ride ends with dinner and a campfire at Snowmass Creek Outfitters camp.
