We started our roundup Friday. It's been so windy and snowin' that we figured we'd best get em' to Delta or run into big trouble. Well, when we got to the ranch Friday 18 inches of snow greeted us! That was where the wind hadnt drifted it into little glaciers. We took 4wheelers cause we couldnt get a trailer within 20 miles of the place. Here's the snow at the gate!
Turnin' around spot and unloading area for the "horses".
We fought wind all day Friday and my camera battery was blinking so not much to show ya. Did get a sunset picture at day's end. We got 133 head in the orchard and fed a ton bale of oats.
This mornin' we met at the ranch at 7. It was 10 below coming across the desert and was a balmy 3 at the ranch. The cold air made some pretty pink clouds. The cows were ready for a change of scenery.
Let me get this perfectly clear! WE HATE USING WHEELERS TO MOVE COWS!!! If you like it that is great, but we always use horses. So today was a pain in the hind quarters! We put a bale on my wheeler and i was trail-breaker/ bait-packer. Those old sisters strung out and hit the trail.
Coming out of the lower field at the ranch.
For the first 6 or 7 miles we followed the road. They were happy to follow as long as we kept pointed south and were losing elevation. Our cows like warmer climates for wintering!
The sun hitting the mountain is one of my favorite sights in winter.
We made the crossroads below the ranch and it was chilly. Kinda glad NOT to know the temp.
Every time I looked back they were coming!
Got far enough ahead to show off the latest in cold weather gear for cattle drives while riding a Japanese quarterhorse.
Left the road at the fill wash and headed around the north end of the Allison knolls. Think sandhills without sand and add lots of sagebrush.
Breaking a trail sure helped for most of the trip.
Morning traffic! The intersection of two rabbit highways was clear both ways. Wascwy wabbits!
The snow was about 8 inches here. Cows were grabbing any grass or whitesage that was handy. We had to push em' instead of chumming.
That's Desert Mountain pass we are aiming for. Atleast it's getting closer.
Phil on his Yamaha bred cutting horse.
Dad on his green pony with black main & tail. Check out his headgear? If it looks like somebody glued a rabbit to his skull that was pretty close to witnessing the "HAT" in person!
Ever wonder why tumbleweeds tumble? If they don't migrate, they end up looking like the bottom third of a snowman. :shock:
Heading for the low, smooth spot instead of the high, rockytops!
Lots of granite ledges and homeward heading cows.
Uphill grade. It didnt get out'a the 20s today. Phil like's to keep his cattle cool!
Almost got er' made. Mile 20 with 4 more to go.
Desert Mountain pass.
It's all downhill to the corral. Good thing cause they were hungry, tired and lickin' snow for H2O.
Rabbits like to hit high gear when trouble arrives. Unless a bunch of cows surround ya while napping. Then ya act invisible!
We had dinner waiting at the corral. Phil counting them through the gate. It's hard to lose em' when you can see for 150 miles and everything is white cept for the critters your following!
Home for tonight. It's like a Motel 6 for bovines!

My Step-Grandpa built it lots of years ago. It makes a great holding area for one night. We'll start em' from here tommorow. 24 miles down makes about halfway.
