ROCHE PERCEE - The Souris Valley Trekkers’ Roche Percee Trail Ride and Wagon Trek was back this year.
After a break due to the pandemic, over 30 people partook in a three-day adventure in the Roche Percee area. Most riders gathered at Roche Percee Park Friday afternoon and headed out for a half-day ride.
More participants joined the group on the weekend for a full-day ride on Saturday and another half-day on Sunday. Dallas Spencer, trail boss for the ride, said everything went well over the past few days. The group, consisting of horseback riders and two wagons, had three different routes, one for each day, and covered quite a few kilometres over the weekend.
"Friday we probably only went about 10K. And Saturday, we probably went about 20K. And Sunday was probably right around that 10K again," Spencer said.
Thirty-one adults and four youths partook in the event. Some people joined the ride for the first time in a while, some were new, and others have been participating in the activity each and every year for a long time.
"There were a few new faces. But most people have been there before," Spencer said.
Spencer went to check out the trails ahead of time. While there is not much traffic on them, the paths were still in good shape with just a few random trees or branches blocking the way.
Except for 2011 and 2020, the Roche Percee Trail Ride and Wagon Trek has been an annual tradition for well over 25 years. Every time the group explores different trails, but other than that everything goes the same from year to year.
This year, some riders came from as far as Regina, but most of the participants were local. Some would stay in their campers, while most of those from the Estevan area went back home for the night.
And even though the weather wasn't the greatest, Spencer was happy with the turnout.
"It was a good turnout. I'm assuming the heat probably kept quite a few people away. They probably looked at the forecast and decided not to go," Spencer said.
With an extreme heat warning in effect, the group had to make sure they were dealing with the weather properly.
Those who were in the wagons had some escape from the burning sun, and the rest of the riders had to rely on their hats and clothes, and drink plenty of water.
Saturday saw the only full-day ride, and Spencer ensured that there was plenty of shade available when they stopped for lunch.
