The 20 Mule Team Endurance Ride
Saturday February 22, 2025
35/60/100 plus 15 Mile Introductory Ride
Ride maps and rider information sheet (printed below) for download in PDF format
The 20 Mule Team Endurance Ride is held in Ridgecrest, California, every winter. The 2025 ride will be held on Saturday, February 22, and will be the 46th running of the ride. The ride is AERC sanctioned and includes three distances- 35 miles, 60 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, and 100 Mile AERC
Introductory 15 Mile Ride
February 22nd, 2025
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 20, 2025. 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.
Saturday trails: The trail consists of four loops for the 100; 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 and 100-mile rides. The trail will be well marked with plenty of ribbons, chalk and glow bars 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, 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, and 100 mile rides and completion awards for all who complete the ride. The 35, 60, 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 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 2/19/25. For cancellations after 2/19/25 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
For GPS location you can use 1635 E. Springer Ave, 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.
The 46th Twenty Mule Team Ride 2025
Schedule of events:
Friday:
Office opens 1:00 pm
Pre Ride Vetting 3:00-6:00 pm
Dinner 5:00-6:00
Ride Meeting 6:00 pm
Saturday:
100/60 mile start 6:00 am
35 mile start 7:00 am .
15 mile start at 10:00 am
Final Completion for 15 Mile Ride 2:30pm
Final Completion for 35 Mile Ride 3:30 pm
Final Completion for 60 Mile Ride 8:30 pm
Sunday:
Final Completion for 100 6:00 am
BC for 100 Mile Ride 8:00 am
Awards breakfast 9:00 am
Awards will be handed out at final completion for 15 and 35 milers if you need to leave, otherwise all awards will be Sunday morning.
Welcome to the 46th Twenty Mule Team Ride.
Riders or crew members who are rude to or abuse the volunteer help will cause riders to be disqualified. Please treat the volunteers with courtesy and respect at all times – they are here to help you. Any problems should be directed to ride management.
At Valley Riders, please be sure to pick up all hay and manure and place in the manure trailer at Valley Riders. Trash is to be taken with you. All dogs must be on a leash at all times. Do not put hay/manure in trash cans.
Cut-off Times:
15 mile ride finish 2:30 pm 3.5 hrs
35 mile ride finish 3:30 pm 8.5 hrs
60 mile ride finish 8:30 pm 14.5 hrs
100 mile vet check 4 – 12:30 a.m. (arrival) 1:15 Leave
100 mile finish 6:00 a.m. 24 hrs
35 Mile Best Condition examined during completion exam.
60 Mile Best Condition 1 hour after completion.
100 Mille Best Condition 8 am Sunday.
Hold Times:
15 Miles No holds
35 Miles
VC 1 30 min 25 Miles
60 Miles
VC 1 30min 25 Miles
VC 2 60 min 50 Miles
100 Miles
VC1 30 min 25 Miles
VC 2 30 min 50 Miles
VC 3 60 min 60 Miles
VC 4 30 min 80 miles
Trail Details:
100-mile ride:
4 Vet Checks:
Loop 1 25 miles, Ribbons: Orange. 5 water stops.
Loop 2 25 miles, Ribbons: Pink. 5 water stops.
Connector trail to Base Camp 10 mile, Ribbons: Orange. 1 water stop. Will be green glow bars
Loop 3 20 miles, Ribbons: Yellow. 3 water stops
Loop 4 20 miles, Ribbons: Blue/White. 4 water stops
60-Mile Ride:
2 Vet Checks
Loop 1 25 Miles, Ribbons: Orange. 5 water stops.
Loop 2 25 miles, Ribbons: Pink. 5 water stops.
Connector trail to Base Camp 10 mile, Ribbons: Orange. 1 water stop. Will be green glow bars
35-Mile Ride:
1 Vet Check
Loop 1 25 miles, Ribbons: Orange. 5 water stops.
Connector trail to Base Camp 10 mile, Ribbons: Orange. 1 water stop
Intro / Fun Ride:
No Vet Checks
Loop 1 15 miles, Ribbons: Blue/White switches to Red/Yellow Striped. 2 water stops.
Ribbons are on clothes pins and will be on the right side of the trail. On two-way trail, the ribbons will be on both your right and left. Three ribbons designate you are at a turn so pay attention. There will be green glow bars marking loop 3 and 4 trails and the Connector trail to Base Camp for night time riding. There will be Red Glow Bars at the highway crossings and any hazards on course. There will be chalk arrows at intersections. There will also be several signs helping you to go the correct way, including a “NO” sign that means DO NOT RIDE PAST THIS SIGN. At night, important signs will be lit with white glow bars.
While riding in residential areas, please give the right of way to vehicles. Do not block roads, move to the side of the roads to allow vehicles to pass. This is very important for the future of this ride.
Crew Bags
We will have vehicles available to drive crew bags to VC 1 & 2. For the 35 milers please use the luggage tags provided on your crew bag so we can return it to camp.
When you leave a vet check please place your bag back where you found it so we can bring it back.
We hope you have an enjoyable and successful ride!
In case of emergency Brian Cell 559-903-2811 Val Cell 559-903-8254
Thank you for coming, Valorie and Brian Reeves
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!
