The El Paso County Wagon Train is a two-day annual event that takes place Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12. The event is a kick off to promoting the El Paso County Fair, which takes place the week of July 16 through July 23.The trail ride crosses the open ranchland of eastern Colorado, celebrating the rich Western heritage of the area.For anyone who has a team of mules or a horse, itís a perfect opportunity to drive and ride them on private properties. Trail ride opportunities are on Saturday and Sunday.The ride on Saturday takes off from the Bailey Ranch 1 mile north of Simla at 10 a.m. and returns by 3 p.m. Trail ride participants can come Friday and camp out before the ride or arrive on Saturday morning in time to ride at 10 a.m. The ride on Sunday departs near the Ramah State Wildlife Area at 10 a.m. and returns there around 3 p.m. Call for details.The registration fee includes breakfast (doughnuts and coffee) and dinner and entertainment, including cowboy music, on Saturday evening (reservations required) at the Bailey Ranch. Lunch is provided on Sunday but bring a lunch for Saturdayís ride.This year, the Wagon Train group is paying for those who bring a wagon and team; unless they have extra riders, their participation will be free. Sponsors this year include Gordon Insurance, ReMax Real Estate, Good Luck Sam’s, Farmers State Bank, Guaranteed Electric Co., Harley Troyer Auctioneers, Bob’s of Colorado and La Casita restaurant.The mission of the El Paso County Wagon Train is to support and celebrate the history and heritage of the settlers and to promote quality horsemanship. In 1988, Alf Owens, the El Paso County Fair manager for many years, secretary Mary Richardson and board members Junior Hall and Dale Lucore were looking for ideas to promote the El Paso County Fair. In 1989, the first authentic wagon train took place, starting at the Latigo Ranch, with 26 wagons and 75 riders, stopping at the Dawson Ranch overnight, and arriving at the El Paso County fairgrounds on Sunday to kick off the El Paso County Fair. This wagon train continued until 1998 when the Wagon Master retired.In 2007, several people wanted to start up the wagon train again but with amended rules to allow rubber tired wagons. The ride left the fairgrounds, went to the Paint Mines and returned to the fairgrounds. Since 2008, Don Bailey has provided a starting point and location for the Saturday evening and Sunday morning events at his ranch. After the ride on Saturday, riders are welcome to visit his Bailey Saddleland Museum before the BBQ and entertainment. For more information and registration forms, check the website at https://epcwt.org or call Don Bailey at 719-740-0658 or 541-2736. Registration is encouraged by June 1 for meal planning but reservations will be taken after June 1.
