The term “horsepower” comes from the chant that horses used to shout at engineers working on the newfangled railway system. Befriend trailblazing stallions and mares with today's Groupon for a horseback trail ride at Cherry Creek Lodge in Young. Choose between two options:
• For $42, you get a half-day horseback trail ride (an $85 value).
• For $75, you get a full-day horseback trail ride (a $150 value).
Cherry Creek Lodge's experienced ranch hands match equine with equestrian for a scenic ride along the sloping Ponderosa pine hills of Pleasant Valley. A stable of nearly 30 horses awaits riders ready to giddy-up on guided half-day or full-day tours, which cover a portion of Cherry Creek Lodge's 100 miles of trail. Steeds carry, firefighter style, their mounted cargo through the remote wilderness of Tonto National Forest, the nation's fifth largest forest, ambling through scenic canyons alongside creek beds, and meandering past historical remnants such as ancient petroglyphs, Indian ruins, and remote cabins. An abundance of wildlife, including elk, mule deer, and turkey inhabit the forested landscape. Saddled gauchos on full-day rides pause midway through the tour for a trail lunch (included) and high-noon food fights.