Maderita - 7-28-2014 at 01:48 AM
Announcing a "cabalgata" (a group event horseback ride) in the Sierra de Juárez, Aug 16-17 Rancho el Topo.
Bring your horse or rent one there. Food, music. Plenty of space for camping among the pines.
Enjoy riding in the sierra wilderness at 5,000' elevation. Rancho el Topo is 25 miles south of La Rumorosa on dirt roads. This will be a fun and
memorable 2 day event.
Call or e-mail to make your reservation.
ehall - 7-28-2014 at 06:26 AM
Beautiful country up there. Weather should be perfect.
mtgoat666 - 7-28-2014 at 10:05 AM
tell us more about rancho el topo. have heard the name a few times, but dont know much about it.... pics o FB look interesting
Maderita - 7-29-2014 at 02:35 AM
Rancho el Topo is approx. 5 miles west of the granite domes of Canyon Tajo.
Zooming in on the crags:
Rancho el Topo is a working cattle ranch. The Sandoval family has made a hard living off of this land for many decades.
Each generation takes it's turn. Here's the youngest generation practicing at calf roping:
The ranch covers many square miles. One can easily ride all day, on varied terrain, without leaving the ranch. Here is a small canyon with year-round
water.
"Cafe 96" was opened this summer. Just across from the cafe, a very old and rustic barn was converted to have several guest rooms.
There are many tall pines, smaller pinyon pines, manzanita, and a few cacti to keep it interesting:
This site has numerous Native American artifacts:
This little burro was captured in a desert canyon to the east. "Cuervito" is a wonderful addition to the ranch:
Sunsets are almost always a delight. Far from city "light pollution", he night skies are filled with stars on moonless nights.
The Sandoval's welcome guests and do their best to accommodate the needs of an individual or a group. The ranch is visited by groups of enthusiasts:
Jeep/4WD clubs, dirt bikes on their way to Laguna Hanson/Parque Nacional, horseback riders, rockclimbers, hiking clubs, and hunters.
At 5,000' elevation, the weather is warm, yet reasonable on most summer days. Mid-winter can go from mild to snowing when a winter storm hits:
bajacalifornian - 7-29-2014 at 12:10 PM
Maderita,
Thank you kindly for the post. I'd be there except for a wedding, same weekend. Plan to be there for the 2nd Annual.
Thanks for the images. Been many years but look forward to a return.
Mula - 7-29-2014 at 01:00 PM
Yeah, I'll be there for the 2nd Annual.
Already have plane tickets for Alaska so won't make it, but will be with you all in spirit!
Kgryfon - 7-29-2014 at 10:21 PM
This looks like so much fun! Wish I could join...
David K - 7-30-2014 at 09:33 AM
Great post!
See Rancho el Topo just north of the national park boundry off the road between La Rumorosa and Laguna Hanson
Bob53 - 7-30-2014 at 01:42 PM
Sounds like a lot of fun. I had horses for about 15 years but gave them away a couple years back. Are the rental horses decent? I mean I wouldn't want
to get stuck with a barn sour horse. Need one with lots of spirit.
Maderita - 7-30-2014 at 04:08 PM
Bob53,
Some of the horses are better than others. A friend keeps his four horses there. One is a young sprited horse which is a bit of a handful for the
first few minutes, but then settles down and is good on the trail.
If you are interested, I can put you in touch with the owner. Likely that you can reserve "Pumpkin", as he will be riding another horse.
Maderita - 7-30-2014 at 04:20 PM
Bob53,
U2U sent with my e-mail address.
Bob53 - 7-30-2014 at 04:36 PM
Thanks.
