Melissa Hemken

Apr 4, 2024 | westernhorseman.com | Julia Ayres |Melissa Hemken |Johnny Motley |Jennifer Denison

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Feb 1, 2024 | westernhorseman.com | Melissa Hemken

It took us six hours to ride six miles. A windstorm had recently torn through the valley. It bowled over trees killed by the pine bark beetle, and some were piled across the trail. We had three 24-inch saws and six people to rotate between sawing and holding the 10 ride and pack horses. Finally, we sawed our way into the meadow, where we planned to camp. We timed our camp arrival with an evening rainstorm that included hail. We were exhausted and hungry.