The Fire Mountain Ride 2025
January 17, 18, and 19th 2025
the online ride entries are closed. please contact the ride manager Gretchen Montgomery at ridge.ryder80@gmail.com
46th Annual Fire Mountain Endurance Ride
January 17, 18,19, 2025
Sponsored By Valley Riders, Ridgecrest, California
AERC Sanctioned
Base Camp: Base Camp opens at noon on Wednesday, January 15, 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.
Check In: Pre-Veterinary check-in will be on Thursday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Base Camp. Or when the vet arrives.
Ride Meeting/Start Times: Ride meetings will be held at 6:30 PM. Ride information will be available at check in, including trail descriptions, and ride information. Maps will be available on-line prior to the event
The Trail:. The trails are mostly dirt roads and trails in desert terrain with some rocky sections, and sandy washes. Hoof protection is required. Riders will travel in the foothills of Rademacher Mountains southeast of Ridgecrest. Day 2 (Saturday) trail goes east to the Trona Pinnacles where there is an OUT VET check. LD riders will finish here. We hope to have enough horse trailers available to shuttle you and your horse back to camp. Hay will be provided at all vet checks and at some water stops. This trail is considered moderate and considered good for beginners with some mild climbs offering great views of the Indian Wells Valley. You will be riding on Bureau of Land Management trails. NO SMOKING ON THE TRAIL. Day 3 will include a 65 mile and 75 mile qualifying loop for FEI riders and any AERC members.
Awards, Food and Fees: Entry fee includes the ride, vet exams, AERC fees, drug test fees, BLM land use fees, and awards. Water and hay for the horses will be available during the ride. Awards will be given after final completion. We provide dinner on Friday, brunch on Saturday, and a soup/chili kitchen on Sunday. A TACO VENDOR TRUCK WILL BE OFFERED ON SATURDAY EVENING.
Ride Rules: This is an AERC sanctioned ride and all rules will be enforced. See AERC rules at aerc.org
1. Juniors must wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet.
2. There will be no ties.
3. The same horse and rider must pass all control points and stay on the marked trail to qualify for awards and completion credit.
4. Any top ten finishers who want to be considered for Best Condition must present their horse for the Best Condition examination within the time frame announced by the head vet.
5. Uncontrollable Loose dogs in camp may result in rider disqualification. Please ensure your dogs are on a leash or kept controlled at your rig.
6. Any abusive behavior or violation of any rule by a rider or associated crew will be subject to disciplinary action (i.e., disqualification and/or being asked to leave by ride management or a vet).
INTRODUCTORY FUN RIDE:
1. Pre-ride and post ride vet checks are required for completion.
2. This is not a race and no timings or placings will be given, just completion awards.
3. No AERC membership fee is required for the 15 mile introductory ride.
4. Juniors can ride for the same fee but must wear an ASTM helmet whenever mounted and be accompanied at all times by their adult sponsor.
*****If you want to register via email please contact Gretchen at ridge.ryder80@gmail.com, Make sure you have all your information included in your email.
VENMO ENTRY IS AVAILABLE AT Gretchen Montgomery @ Valley Riders
Directions to Fire Mountain ride camp
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
You will be required to sign the release form at the ride when you pick up your rider packet. Below is the text of the form:
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY
I, the undersigned, in consideration of the acceptance of this entry
hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to participate in the Fire Mountain ride. I, the undersigned, in consideration of accepting this entry, do hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, waive and release the Fire Mountain ride, it’s sponsors, and all individual members thereof and all other persons regardless of their capacity in any way connected with the event described herein, their representatives, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns from any and all right, claim or liability for damages, or for any and all claims of any kind and nature that I might have. Further, I do hereby acknowledge that said release will extend to any accidents, damages, or claims arising out of my entry caused by my own act or the acts of anyone or any animal within my control. I do further acknowledge that I have read the foregoing and know and understand the contents herein.
RIDERS SIGNATURE DATE
ALL RIDERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18, PARENT OR GUARDIAN MUST SIGN BELOW
INDEMNITY AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF A MINOR (To be filled out only if a minor is riding)
I, , am the parent or legal guardian of the minor
(print parent or guardian name)
that will be attending/riding the Fire Mountain ride.
(print minors name)
I, the undersigned parent/legal guardian of, for and in consideration of my child’s participation in the Fire Mountain ride, do hereby forever release the Fire Mountain ride, it’s sponsors, and all individual members thereof and all other persons regardless of their capacity in any way connected with the event described herein, of any and all claims, demands, suits, or liabilities which otherwise arise by virtue of injury to or occasioned by my child or any horse under such child’s direction and control. This release and indemnification shall be continual and shall remain in full force and effect until revoked by me by document in writing, delivered to the ride manager of the Fire Mountain ride. I do further authorize any officer, director, or supervisory personnel of the Fire Mountain ride to consent on my behalf to any emergency medical treatment which may be required for our child, and do agree to indemnify and hold harmless anyone giving such consent. I do further acknowledge that I have read the foregoing and know and understand the contents herein. I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
SIGNATURE (Parent/Guardian) DATE
DATE OF BIRTH OF MINOR
Date