Rough trails demand sturdy pack animals

Craig Reed
For the Capital Press

CENTENNIAL MOUNTAINS, Mont. - Having faith in the horses and mules was about the only option as darkness quickly flooded the forest.

It was just a matter of sitting in the saddle, hanging on as drainages were traversed and trusting that the four-legged animals would safely arrive back at the horse trailer after almost a two-hour walk down the mountain in the dark.

While it's a pretty black trip for the rider, the horses and mules have better night vision and are able to avoid trees, step over downed logs and steer clear of rocky cliffs. "It always amazes me how few accidents there are based on how many people ride horses and mules and the number of miles ridden in the mountains," Mel Montgomery, owner of Centennial Outfitters of Lima, Mont., said during Montana's recent November big game hunting season.

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