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Hit the Road

Home on the range Swap stressful freeways for serene horse trails. BY Ashly McGlonePublished: May, 2010

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A far cry from Orange County’s six-lane freeways and suburban tract homes sits Hunewill Guest Ranch, where visitors exchange AYSO soccer for “horse soccer” and each morning wake to the sound of thundering hooves .     The ranch, a Western-style vacation spot located in Bridgeport, Calif. (north of Mammoth near the Nevada border), has been an annual place of refuge for the Shackleford/LeMasters family.     Ladera Ranch residents Kyle Shackleford, 17, and his brother Austin, 13, first vacationed at Hunewill with their grandparents six years ago, when they met families from Costa Mesa and as far away as Boston. It became a beloved tradition: The families meet every year the same week in June, right after school lets out. They continue to head up to the ranch with the same group of families from their first visit.     It’s no surprise that the main attraction on the Hunewill Guest Ranch’s 26,000-acre property is horseback riding. Horse trails wind through a lush valley amid the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Stays are offered at three- to seven-day increments.     The guest ranch, also known as the Circle H, opened in the 1930s and hosts visitors from across the United States.     Kyle has been so impacted by his time spent visiting the ranch with his grandparents, he authored a book on his Mac computer to document it. Highlights include this years’ all-day ride to Eagle Creek.     “The scenery of the running water and the colorful wildflowers was simply gorgeous,” he writes.     Nearby East Walker River, as well as a variety of other lakes and streams in the adjacent Toiyabe National Forest, offer guests world-class trout fishing.     “Every year, horseback games are held at Hunewill to give guests the chance to have some fun with their horses,” writes Kyle. “Some games include pole bending, an egg-on-spoon race, a slow-walking race and even horse soccer! After a long day, the ranch’s activities can make everyone tired.”     Days begin with a hearty breakfast at 7:30 a.m., followed by morning rides, lunch and an afternoon nap. Afternoon rides are at 2 p.m., and dinner is at 6:15 p.m. An evening activity finishes the day.     Guests come back from their rides to home-cooked meals served in the dining room of the founder’s Victorian home, or barbecue cookouts along Robinson Creek.     “With good food and friendly people, it is the perfect place to have dinner,” writes Kyle of the cookouts.     After dinner is “Latte time,” when Kyle and his family enjoy petting the cow with the coffee-inspired name. Away from TV and video games, families like Kyle’s enjoy honing their cow-roping, square-dancing and horseback-riding skills. More importantly, they grow closer together during their time at Hunewill, says Kyle.     The ranch was founded in 1861 by Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill and his wife, Esther, and is still entrenched in the area’s rich history and natural beauty. The owners aspire to provide a glimpse of ranch life to those who are otherwise unaware.     Today, more than 1,000 cattle and nearly 200 horses – in addition to a fun collection of llamas, goats, sheep and a variety of other friendly animals – call Hunewill their home.     “I hope we will continue to go to Hunewill to enjoy even more precious memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives,” writes Kyle. “There is no denying that by now, Hunewill is like our second home.”     Hunewill’s ranch-vacation season runs from Memorial Day through mid-November, with plenty of special theme packages, such as the Spring Cattle Work, a 4th of July ranch experience, the Week of the Buckaroo Moon, the Fall Color Ride and the Big Fall Cattle Gather. Most rates include meals, riding and lodging. There are real-deal cattle-driving packages (like the one featured in the hit movie “City Slickers”) for those up for an authentic challenge.     Adult rates for seven-day all-inclusive stays – double occupancy during low season – costs $1,582, while high season rates are an additional $200. Prices are lower for children. hunewillranch.com Ashly McGlone is a contributor to OC Family magazine. Click HERE to read about OC Family magazine lead blogger Suzanne Broughton's learning experience at the Kay El Bar, a dude ranch in Arizona.

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