SNOWBIRD — There is no better way to see country, particularly backcountry, than from the back of a horse. After all, four eyes are better than two.
While the horse keeps its eyes on the trail ahead, the rider is able to scan the countryside. Easy. Which is one reason horses have become part of the Snowbird ski area's summer staff, so to speak.
Among its summer programs, Snowbird offers both horseback and all-terrain vehicle adventures in and around Mineral Basin.
The basin is a popular ski area in the winter. In the summer, it's different — very different, pointed out one rider.
"It may be the same area you ski in the winter, but it all looks so very different in the summer," he explained.
This is not the first year Snowbird has made horseback and ATV adventures possible, but it's probably the best year, noted P.J. Clayton, concessionaire, "simply because of the wildflowers," he said. "With all the moisture we've had this year, they're spectacular."
And, in most cases, the scenery, wildflowers, wildlife and glimpse back to a little history are for "their eyes only."
Mineral Basin is among the more pristine locations in the Wasatch range, albeit difficult to reach.
Horseback is, indeed, an ideal way for touring the basin and surrounding countryside.
Rides, both on horseback and ATV, start at the base of the ski and summer resort with a ticket for a Tram ride to the top of Hidden Peak — elevation 11,000 feet.
ATV rides leave from the top of the mountain. Horsemen are driven in an all-terrain vehicle to the corrals and the waiting mounts at the bottom of the basin.
"There," said Clayton, "we introduce them to their horses. We really do want them to have a bonding experience with the horse, to get them to love the horses as much as we do. It's funny, but after people ride, they want that interaction with the horse — they call it by its name, they pet the horse, give it a treat, have their picture taken.
"We also instruct them on how to get on a horse, how to stop, start and get a horse to turn. We tell them where their feet should be when they go uphill or downhill, and how they should sit in the saddle."
That said, the ride begins, first across an open meadow and then into a stand of pines and into a stream.
Along the way, there are more streams and meadows, a stop at a waterfall and at the site of the old Schlinder Mine, where there are remnants of old buildings, the location of the mine entrance and a pile of tailings left by the miners.
The history, said Diane Ebert, who took the ride along with her husband, Mark, and 11-year-old son, Colby, a first-time rider, "made the ride so much more interesting. I grew up in Utah, so I knew about the mining, but it meant so much more to see the mine and the area, and being reminded of what happened here."
The Eberts are, said Diane, very novice riders. "We maybe ride a horse once every five years," she said. "We thought this would be something we'd enjoy, especially since we love the mountains, and we did. We were lucky, too, because we hit the wildflowers perfectly. The colors were all so vibrant. And it was nice to be able to do something like this so close to home."
Over the course of the ride, people have the opportunity to see some of Utah's most beautiful backcountry, learn a little about the geology and history of the area and get a chance to come upon some of Utah's wildlife. The riders also have what is recognized as a true outdoor adventure.
The ATVs ride mainly in the Mineral Basin area, which includes a stop in the saddle between Snowbird and Alta. From here, on a clear day, viewers can see, among other things, Mount Baldy, Hidden Peak, the American Twins and Bookend Cliffs close to Snowbird. Also, on a clear day, people will be able to see Miller's Hill, Mount Timpanogos, Cascade Mountain, Mount Nebo, the Sundance Ski Resort, Heber Valley, Daniel's Canyon, Alta, peak 10-4-20 at Brighton, Guardsman's Pass, Jupiter Peak at Park City Mountain Resort, Sugarloaf Mountain at Alta and Secret Lake.
The horse rides veer off from the basin towards American Fork Canyon to the south.
Horseback rides range from 1, 2 or 3 hours. The three-hour ride includes lunch. Cost is $65, $95 and $155, respectively. Rides that include a Dutch-oven meal can be arranged for larger groups.
The recommended age for riding horses is 6 and older, which, said Clayton, prompted her to start a "Little Buckaroo" program for younger kids.
"We've found some of the younger kids, and even some of those who are afraid to ride alone, want that experience of riding and learning about horses," she noted.
The Little Buckaroo program is for kids ages 4 to 8 and will include an instruction on riding, grooming and care of a horse, as well as actually sitting on a horse being led by a wrangler. This will be a two-hour class taught on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays in Mineral Basin.
ATV rides range from one to two hours. Cost is $59 and $89 for single riders, or $79 and $119 for those riding double. For those who choose not to drive an ATV, there are one- and two-hour tours in a vehicle driven by a guide.
The resort will also be offering one-hour wildflower tours with seating in an all-terrain vehicle driven by a guide.
For reservations or information about the horse and ATV programs, contact the Snowbird activities center at 801-933-2222, or call 877-577-7877 or 801-602-6159.