The Gyp Hills Trail Ride is held on the Gant-Larson Ranch in Medicine Lodge, KS. Medicine Lodge is located in Barber County KS and anybody who is familar with our riding adventures may have already seen some of what this county has to offer on the Mills Ranch ride review. I have to say though that this area is even more beautiful. The bluffs and terrain is spectacular and very easy on barefoot horses. The camp area is primitive, there is water available for the horses, for drinking only, but you will need to account for people water. There are also outhouses scattered around the camp area. Horses can be picketed, there are lots of trees in camp, or portable pens can be set up. the riding is hard to beat. The trails are not marked and a GPS is recommended. Remember that when you are up on a bluff looking off toward camp there will be many hills to climb and descend on the way there. The owner of the ranch has obtained permission for trail riders to ride on neighboring land, some land owners require the owners be present with any groups that go on their land. This is easily done though. You may ride on your own or be guided by one of the owners. It is recommended that you call before you haul as this facility is often booked by large trail riding groups. There are also organized rides. You can view their site on the web at Gyp Hills Trail Rides
Opinion:
There are no marked trails, but this is not to say that there are not trails. Cattle and horse trails are plentiful up and over the bluffs, ride out toward the highway (160 hwy) and you can ride through cedar trees in the beautiful Gypsum Hills. Your journey will take you through whatever terrain you wish to ride. If you want an easy ride stay up on top of the bluffs and ride the edges, if you want to ride something a little more challenging then ride down off the bluffs into the canyons. You won't regret either ride, the scenery is beautiful from up top and if you decide to ride down into the canyons you'll be treated to some great riding.
Update 09/20/03: After years of hearing about this place I finally got to check it out. Unfortunately Todd was unable to make the trip with me and I was riding a new horse (see the memorial to the three horses we lost on the trails main page). Not to worry though. I was able to make do with the trailer, its amazing how much Todd does when we go someplace, and the "new" horse was a veteran of these trails. I rode with my friend Chris and she is very familiar with this place so when we got caught about 5 miles from camp with a mean looking thunder cloud rolling in I stowed the GPS and relied on her to get us back to camp. We made it back in to camp just before the rain started and I get the feeling that the horses enjoyed the cool water that was falling on them. Check back soon for the pictures.
Directions:
From 160 highway and 281 highway in Medicine Lodge continue West on 160, about 9 miles to Forest City Road, there is a sign at the cattle guard advertising the Gyp Hills Trail Rides. Follow the gravel road back to camp, there will be a sign pointing off to the left for trailer parking.
Fees:
$10.00 for the first night per rider
$5.00 for each additional night per rider
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