Entries are now closed. No new entries accepted at the ride.
June 17-19 2022
Welcome to the Wild West Pioneer, a 3-day, 155-mile adventure through scenic trails in the foothills of the beautiful Sierra Mountains. Come take on a 3-day Pioneer in Northern California, or join us for a day or two to experience the allure of our trails.
Ride entries are limited. No entries accepted after June 12th or at the ride. We reserve the right to refuse entry for any reason. Please come prepared to clean up your hay and manure. Hoof protection is required.
The trail will be different this year with repeated loops due to trail closure from Cal Trans work.
We also are excited to announce that Samantha Ellis, Courtney and John Brain are coming on board as your ride managers. We will collaborate this year and they will take over next year. Bob and Elicia are moving to SC.
Trails are single track, road and OHV trail. We try to give you a mixture each day. Some form of hoof protection is required and for sensitive horses with shoes we recommend pads. Highway construction has limited our trail access this year. There will be A LOT of repeated trail. We will do our best to put together a fun course to ride but it will be very different from previous years. ALL VET CHECKS WILL BE IN CAMP - we cannot access the Lone Grave or Bear Valley vet check locations. Trail plans are still being finalized. The 50's first loop will be orange or purple. Their second and third loops will be green and yellow each day. The LD's first loop will be different each day. Their second loop will be yellow. The green and yellow start on the same 6 miles of trail.
Riders will be on their own for all meals. All manure and hay must be cleaned up and put in the manure trailer. You can hire Katlin and her team to clean up your campsite for you. Camp has horse water and pit toilets but is primitive with no cell service. There is a market 10 miles south and limited cell service 2.5 miles north. Skillman is at 4500’ of elevation and can be cold at night. Weather can vary—we recommend layers, bug spray and sunscreen. We will have a treatment vet in camp each day. If additional care is needed, Loomis Basin is 50 miles away and UC Davis is 90 miles away.
The campground officially opens Thursday at 10am but if you are riding Friday you are welcome to come earlier and pay the Forest Service directly. If you have a large rig (an LQ with 4 horses or more etc.), we suggest you arrive early - please let us know in advance so we save a large rig spot for you. Everyone will be parked by one of our team and it is tight. There is always help available and we have a pro parking team that can do it for you. Some will get a less desirable parking spot. First come first serve, no reserving spots. Use of portable corrals and electric fence is restricted by the space available. Parking space is limited and restricts the entries we can accept. Please car-pool when possible and note that extra cars will be charged $20 per night. We will only offer 2-day entries where the days are consecutive because of the limited parking. Exceptions may be made for volunteers.
The 55/50 starts at 7am and the 25 starts at 8am. You may vet in the night before or morning of the ride. We're not accepting new entries after June 12th but if you’re in the computer already you can make changes at the ride. We expect the ride to be full but if it's not you can add days at the ride for $165 each. If your horse doesn't vet in or gets pulled and you don't finish, future days not ridden will be refunded on request minus the $30 admin fee. Refunds are given through paypal, venmo or zella.
Cancellations received by 6/1 will receive a refund minus a $30 admin fee. No refunds for cancellations after 6/1 unless accompanied by a letter from your vet, doctor, or a positive Covid test. Please only come if you feel healthy and don't have Covid symptoms. Checks will be cashed as they arrive.
RM: Elicia Kamberg wildwestendurance@gmail.com Text 530-830-9019 There is no cell reception or internet at camp. Text or e-mail is best way to reach me. It’s very hard to return calls when I’m out of service. I’m at camp and not available after June 13th.
We’re looking forward to seeing our endurance family this ride season and sharing our wonderful trails with you. Thanks again for your flexibility as we work with the Forest Service and CalTrans to make the ride happen.
Cheers, Elicia and Robert Kamberg.
Samantha Ellis, Courtney and John Brain
and the super cool Wild West team
If you have question please e-mail wildwestendurance@gmail.com or text Elicia at 530-830-9019. As I’m working on clearing trail May and June, I don’t have reception during the day and it’s hard to receive calls.
Base camp is located in the beautifully wooded horse camp, Skillman Campground. Directions to Skillman Campground: From the intersection of I-80 and Highway 20 go west on Highway 20 towards Nevada City 13 miles. Skillman Campground is on the left. Look for ride signs. From Nevada City, go east on Highway 20 towards Reno 13.5 miles. Skillman Campground is on the right. Look for ride signs. Camp opens Wednesday, June 17 at 8:00 a.m. and closes Monday, June 22. Early arrivals are fine and will pay the Forest Service a camping fee.
Base camp will have horse water, people water and porta potties. There is no power, phone service, or other improvements. There are a few corrals for rent in Skillman ($100.00/weekend, payment must accompany entry to reserve corral, please e-mail to inquire of availability). The nearest phones, stores and fuel are in Nevada City which is approximately 13 miles from camp. Please come prepared to clean up your hay/manure.
The camp is located in the mountains at 3,500 feet and so nights can be cool. Weather in the Sierra Mountains can be unpredictable so come prepared for rain and and a slight chance of snow.
Please contact by text or email if possible. I'm out working on the trail most days with no service and it's hard to return calls.
All AERC Rules Will Apply.
Additional Rules:
1) No racing into the finish line or putting our volunteers or other people in dangerous situations.
2) Parking is tight. Extra cars will be change a fee.
3) All dogs must be on a leash at all times.
4) All hay/manure must be cleaned up.
The US. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation and marital or family status. On designated public lands, the use of weed free and weed-seed-free feed and hay is required. Feed stock only weed-free feed for several days before travel on National Forest System lands. Inspect, brush, and clean animals, especially hooves and legs, before entering public land. Inspect and clean tack and equipment. Tie or hold stock in ways that minimize soil disturbance and avoid loss of desirable vegetation.
