Fifth Annual Caney Mountain Mule Ride
by Marian Nipper
The fifth annual Caney Mountain Mule Ride at Caney Mountain Horsecamp, in Big Flat, Ark., is in the books. The 2021 ride, held November 29-December 5, was the best yet, with perfect weather that ranged between 60-80 degrees during the day and 30-40 degrees at night. With around 200 mules in attendance, the number of riders increased again this year and hosted riders from as far away as Pennsylvania and Texas. Riders ranged in age from 4 months to over 73 years old, and we were glad to have several children enjoying the mule ride.
Charles and Teresa Taylor, owners of Caney Mountain Horsecamp, continue to offer their beautiful Caney Mountain Horsecamp located in the middle of the Ozarks for these annual mule rides. Along with the increasing number of mule riders, the number of guides has also increased. There were ten guides this year: Charles Taylor, Thomas, our favorite Cajun, Lynn, John P., Bob Box, David Woods, and our personal favorite Angie Lee, permanent campers, Bob Taylor and Brad Hart, expert trail hands, and Rick, a local resident. With ten different groups going out each day to different destinations, the group sizes were kept small. Each day was an exciting adventure, crossing the Buffalo River and riding the high bluffs that overlook the river, the popular Sidewalk Trail, the Snazzy Trail, the Alligator Bluff Trail, the Cascade Falls Trail, the Box Canyon Trail, the Roy Ridge Trail, the Genesis Park Trail, the Tassel Falls Trail, riding the Big Creek area, and overlooks throughout the four different Wilderness Areas that intersect around Caney Mountain Horsecamp.
The different destination rides average around 15 miles and last about 6 hours with a nice lunch break each day. Riders meet at the Caney Mountain Horsecamp Lodge each day at 9:30 and chose which ride they would like to go on for the day. After a wonderful day of riding, riders can also enjoy an evening of fine dining at the Caney Mountain Lodge. Mrs. Teresa Taylor, Sue, Sharon, Brenda, Teresa Box, Gwen, Kim, and Kathy all work hard to prepare wonderful meals with homemade desserts each day.
Bill Nipper and Jim Lee playing in the Buffalo River
We want to thank the permanent campers at Caney Mountain Horsecamp, Kim and David Woods, Teresa and Bob Box, and Gwen Ray, for stepping in and adding innovative ideas to the mule ride and organizing the rides. They made all the schedules and packets for the campers to use. The Poker Run and the Aggravation Tournament were huge hits. Everyone enjoyed seeing more sites and the nightly games. There were also door prizes each evening, with Kevin and Tucker Tack donating nice gifts.
There was an auction one evening that raised a little over $4,000. This money went to help neighbors who needed help purchasing heating gas, and to buy medical supplies and equipment for the camp.
There was live music on Friday evening with Uncle Bill Nipper and Steve Dawson singing our favorite cowboy songs. They even sang the theme song for the mule ride, “Whoa Mule Whoa, I Ain’t Got Time To Kiss You Now, My Mule Has Run Away.”
If you are just starting to ride and camp with your mules, this ride is an excellent place to start. If you are having problems with your mule or are new to mules, some of the best mule handlers in the United States are at this ride to help you with problems and answer questions. Everyone here enjoys helping each other. There were several tack vendors at the ride: Tucker Tack (Rob and Tina Tucker), Loan Oak Saddles (Jim and Angie Lee), Crest Ridge Saddles (Debra K Racheter), Milam Mules (Brock Milam). If you are having tack issues or wanting new custom tack made, these outstanding saddle makers and tack vendors will help.
As you continue to attend the mule rides each year you make several new friends. It is like a family reunion when the ride starts, and you visit with your old and new friends. We love to have families and young kids at these rides and are hoping for a good turnout at both the June mule ride at Caney Mountain Horsecamp and the April mule ride at Shawnee National Freest in Illinois. For more information on the Mule Rides please join the Facebook groups that have been developed for McAllister and Friends Mule Ride and Caney Mountain Mule Ride.
A group of riders crossing the river
Thank you again Anthony McAllister for all the hard work you do each year to organize the mule rides. This ranges from hauling mules for people to helping people learn more about their mules. Regardless of what questions or concerns you have about your mule; Anthony is always willing to help.