These riders come from every walk of life including ranchers, airline pilots, lawyers, housewives, and teenagers. The next ride of the season is the Chief Joseph in July. This ride was the first ApHC sponsored trail ride which started in 1965. The trail ride traces the Nez Perce Indian war trail over 13 different annual segments totaling 1350 miles. The very first ride drew 35 riders and started at Wallowa Lake in Joseph, Oregon.
Every year brings more riders and new adventures.
During the day, riders will often be treated to talks by a Forest Ranger or B.L.M. supervisor and will learn how the area ridden is managed for recreation, timber, and grazing. In the evening, the riders listen to a portion of the Nez Perce war story with emphasis on what took place in the area and enjoy some professional country western music. Each year a pin and patch, indicating the segment ridden, is given to each rider, as well as t-shirts. There are five year and ten year pins as well as a large plaque given to those who have ridden 13 and all 26 segments. Many foreign enthusiasts also make the ride from Israel, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and Yugoslavia.