Trail Log: 7-12-2025

Densen Ranch Cabin

• Trail: Dry Creek - Densen Ranch - NF
• Miles: 7
• Riders: Self - Darrell Martin
• Horses: Jack - Jewel
• Dogs: None

Notes: Darrell M. asked if I'd help him move cows Saturday morning. I explained that I know very little about cattle management but if he was willing to tell me what to do without yelling - I'd love to help. He picked me and Jack up at my place by 6:30AM. The Pine Valley Ranch cattle had come out of the hills and were mixed in with The Densen Ranch cattle on their property.

We were to separate the PV pairs and drive them up into the forest. I don't know how Darrell could tell the difference in whose cows were whose....but he sorted them out and got the PV cattle moving toward the FS.

Jack was a fire-breathing pain in the butt for the most part. He hasn't been wound that tight since he was 6. He seems to want to get right in the middle of them and eat them for lunch. Come to think of it - most times I've helped people  move cattle - it's been whipping,  spurring, hollering and chasing bovine all over the place. I image he expected this experience to be no different. Frankly, so did I. On the contrary – Darrell grew up on a ranch and takes great exception to being called a “cowboy.” What I've seen take a half dozen or more cowboys/girls to do – Darrell managed to do with one horse and no dogs. I like to think Jack and I were helping...but it was obvious he could have done it without us.

With the PV cattle separated from the Densen cattle and headed into the forest – Jack finally calmed down and got into his groove. He was much happier to be bush-whacking up and down hillsides, crossing creeks and going after stragglers. I'm just happy he feels good enough to be on the muscle and snorting flames again – thank you Scoot Boots.

We got back late morning in time to pick up my sister and head up to Duck Lake to get out of the heat. A great day.