The 20 Mule Team Endurance Ride

Saturday March 2nd, 2024

35/60/75/100 plus 15 Mile Introductory Ride

The 20 Mule Team Endurance Ride is held in Ridgecrest, California, every winter. The 2024 ride will be held on Saturday, March 2nd, and will be the 45th running of the ride. The ride is AERC sanctioned and includes four distances- 35 miles, 60 miles, 75 miles, and 100 miles. It also includes a non-sanctioned 15 mile Introductory ride for those who would like to experience what it’s like to attend a ride. The 20 Mule Team 100 is an ideal first 100 for riders who are attempting the ultimate distance in Endurance Riding.

Ride History- the ride was started by Jackie Bumgardner, the driving force behind Endurance in the Mojave Desert during the early years of Endurance. She put on the ride for 24 years before handing the responsibility off to Robert and Melissa Ribley in 2005. Robert and Melissa put it on for 10 years, and then handed the Ride Management Torch to Val and Brian Reeves, who have been putting the ride on since 2016. The trail has been worked on and managed by West Region rider Nick Warhol, who has been riding the ride since the early 90’s, and has worked on the trail for the past 22 years. The ride was selected as the AERC National Championship Ride for 2019 and was a very successful event.

Ride Information Sheet

Twenty Mule Team 35, 60, 75, and 100 Mile AERC

Introductory 15 Mile Ride

    March 2nd, 2024

                                                 

Accommodations:  The base camp is located at the Valley Riders Equestrian Center Ridgecrest, CA 93555.  The elevation is approximately 2,500 feet.  Although the weather is generally nice, you should be ready for cold or wet weather.  It is cold at night, near freezing, but can be warm during the day.  It can also be windy. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.  

Friday night a complimentary lasagna dinner and Sunday morning a continental breakfast will be served.

 

Base Camp: Base Camp opens at 10:00am on Thursday, February 29, 2024. It is located at the corner of San Bernardino Rd (aka County Line Rd) and Springer St.(double electrical pole line along the road), southeast of Ridgecrest, California. It is the site of the Valley Riders Equestrian Center and is currently undeveloped so camping is primitive (no electricity). There are accommodations, grocery stores and gas close by. Potable water will be provided. Porta Potties will be available. Base camp is at 2,500 feet.

 

Camper Trailers are available for rent, go to www.hideserttrailerrntls.com. Their winter location is less than ½ mile from base camp and they set up in advance.

 

Saturday trails:  The trail consists of four loops for the 100; three loops for the 75, two loops for the 60,  and 1 loop for the 15 and 35 mile rides, all beginning and ending at base camp.  There are a few long gradual grades, and some rocks and sand.  Pads are recommended for rocks which are primarily between Vet Checks 1 and 2 for the 60, 75  and 100-mile rides.  The trail will be well marked with plenty of ribbons, chalk and glowbars after dark. The introductory ride will be one 15-mile loop.

 

Saturday starting time:  The ride will start at 6:00 am for the 60, 75 and 100 mile ride, at 7:00 am for the 35 mile ride and at 10:00 am for the 15 mile introductory ride. 

 

Awards:  There will be first place awards for the 35, 60, 75 and 100 mile rides and completion awards for all who complete the ride. The 35, 60, 75  and 100 mile rides will have an AERC Best Condition Award. The awards for the Intro and 35 mile rides will be at completion, the 60,75,and 100 mile awards will be after breakfast Sunday morning. Awards will not be mailed out and must be picked up at the ride.

 

Pre-Ride Vet Check:  3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Friday, March 1rst.   A pre-ride meeting will be held at 6:00 pm on Friday evening.  For riders arriving in the morning (15/35 milers only), please make arrangements with the ride management. 

 

Rules:  All AERC rules will apply. Any abuse by rider or their crew to ride staff will result in disqualification of rider. Full refund for cancellations prior to 2/29/24.  For cancellations after 2/29/24 and for horses not passing the pre-ride veterinary exam, a $50.00 ride management fee will be withheld.  No shows receive no refund. Checks will not be cashed until after the ride.  Dogs must be on a leash.   

 

All hay, manure and trash must be picked up and your camp site left clean – Thank you!


 

Directions

Do not use a street number address on GPS use only corner of E. Springer and County Line Rd. Ridgecrest CA

 

From the Inland Empire:

• North on I-15 to Highway 395.

• Continue North on Highway 395 approximately 90 miles to the Ridgecrest turnoff (China Lake Blvd).

• Continue north on China Lake Blvd to second stop light (Bowman road) at Walmart. Turn right.

 

FROM BOWMAN ROAD:

• Turn right onto San Bernardino County Line road when pavement ends. Make sure you stay left of center dirt median. Continue on this dirt road past all homes. Ride camp will be on your right at corner of Springer and County line road.

 

From Los Angeles:

  • North on I-5 to Highway 14 heading towards Palmdale and Lancaster.

  • Continue North on Highway 14 approximately 120 miles to Highway 178 East (towards Inyokern, Ridgecrest and NAWS China Lake).

  • Continue East on 178 (Inyokern Road) approximately 14 miles to China Lake Blvd. Turn right and follow this to 178 East towards Trona (Ridgecrest Blvd)

  • Turn right onto Richmond Street (Fairgrounds) Follow this until it dead ends at Bowman.

  • Turn Left onto Bowman and follow above directions to ride camp.

 

From Points North:

  • Where Highway 395 forks to the left (Highway 14 begins) take Highway 395 to the second Inyokern exit (Highway 178/Inyokern Road).

  • Continue East on 178 (Inyokern Road) approximately 14 miles to China Lake Blvd. Turn right and follow this to 178 East towards Trona (Ridgecrest Blvd) where you will turn left.

  • Turn right onto Richmond Street (Fairgrounds) Follow this until it dead ends at Bowman.

  • Turn left onto Bowman and follow above directions.

Rider Comments:

Nicole Wertz West Region

Great 100. Doable without a crew as there are super volunteers at the out checks. Save your horse until 65 miles and you will have a super sunset evening ride and lots of horse to power through the home stretch.

Melissa Formica West Region

Fantastic ride with great scenery and a fun venue!

Lynne Glazer Pac South Region

20MT is almost like a festival, with so many distance choices and folks from at least four regions. Well marked and managed, good for newbies!

Chelsea and Buzz Arnold West Region

20MT is a great first 100 for both horse and rider! It’s a fun and friendly atmosphere with beautiful well marked desert trails. We look forward to it every year

Heather Manzo West Region

This was the very first 50 mile ride for all of us! Greenbeans 2019. Danielle Morgan Sam DiMuzio and me.

Lilia Lucero West Region

2019 Nationals. We did the 25 open. My, and my mares very first ride!