An Hour on Horseback into Taylor Canyon and the Fossil Ridge Wilderness

ALMONT HORSE FIELD GUIDE

An Hour on Horseback into Taylor Canyon and the Fossil Ridge Wilderness

A one-hour guided horseback ride from Harmel's Ranch Resort that carries riders of all levels onto historic pioneer trails through Taylor Canyon and into the Fossil Ridge Wilderness.

An Hour on Horseback into Taylor Canyon and the Fossil Ridge Wilderness.

Duration
Contact operator
Location
Almont
Operator
Harmel's Ranch Resort
Category
Horse
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

From Harmel's Ranch Resort, riders thread into the rugged folds of Taylor Canyon and push toward the Fossil Ridge Wilderness on trails that once carried pioneers and now echo with wildlife. Harmel's frames those miles as a learning ground—matching mounts to riders and running outings for beginners through advanced riders so every guest can experience mountain wilderness from the saddle.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE LANDSCAPE

Taylor Canyon into Fossil Ridge

Riders cross the craggy, mountain-top terrain of Taylor Canyon and enter the Fossil Ridge Wilderness, a short, concentrated sample of Colorado high-country that rewards a focused hour in the saddle with sweeping natural character.

THE HORSES

A Mount for Every Rider

Harmel's pairs guests with experienced horses and organizes rides by age and skill so children and novice riders ride alongside seasoned mounts while advanced riders can match with a horse to suit their ability.

THE TRAILS

Pioneer Routes Still Under Saddle

The route follows some of the same trails used more than a century ago by the original pioneers, offering a compact historic arc: stables, canyon, then Wilderness country.

What the day feels like

What an Hour on the Trail Feels Like

The one-hour outing at Harmel's is a focused saddle hour: mount up at the stables, move out into Taylor Canyon, and thread toward the Fossil Ridge Wilderness on trails designed for gradual skill-building. Rides are run to suit different experience levels, so the tempo and technical demands are tuned to the group while the scenery remains characteristically rugged.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this ride suits—and who should look elsewhere.

1
Beginners & First-Time RidersWell suited: Harmel's runs beginner rides and pairs novices with appropriate mounts and supervision so first-time riders can learn while experiencing the canyon.
2
Intermediate and Advanced RidersA good match: rides are organized by skill level, allowing more experienced riders to join outings that match their abilities.
3
Families with KidsAppropriate for families: Harmel's accommodates children from seven years old and separates groups by age when possible.
4
Learners Focused on HorsemanshipAligned with goals: Harmel's emphasizes developing riding skills and also offers horsemanship lessons alongside trail rides.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Season

Rides operate every day throughout the summer and are run multiple times daily; the program includes regularly scheduled rides organized by skill level.

What to Bring

Harmel's pairs guests with experienced horses and organizes groups by age and ability; specific personal gear lists are not provided in the source material—expect standard trail attire and check with the operator for any required items.

Duration Options

The one-hour ride is one of several options offered at Harmel's; other available lengths include two-hour, half-day and all-day rides, and horsemanship lessons are also offered.

Where It Starts

Rides depart from Harmel's (Harmel's Ranch Resort / Harmel's Stables) and are run by Harmel's Ranch Resort.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the 1 Hour Ride?

The ride lasts one hour.

Where do rides depart from?

Rides depart from Harmel's (Harmel's Ranch Resort / Harmel's Stables).

What skill levels are offered?

Trail rides are organized by skill level—beginner, intermediate, and advanced—with separate outings tailored to those groups.

Is there a minimum age to participate?

Children as young as seven years old can participate; Harmel's separates guests by age and ability when possible.

Are lessons available in addition to trail rides?

Yes—horsemanship lessons are available in addition to the trail-ride program.

How often do rides run each day?

Rides leave multiple times per day; the operator runs regularly scheduled rides every day throughout the summer.