MISSION & HISTORY OF THE RANCH
Our mission is to share the authentic cowboy lifestyle with those who may not have been able to experience our way of life. The American Southwest, and cowboy culture in general, is a very unique aspect of American history that we would like to preserve.
HISTORY:
The Walking X ranch is one of the oldest working ranches in Arizona. The headquarters is located in the settlement of Sheldon on the banks of the Gila River in Southeastern Arizona. To the east, it is less than 10 miles to the New Mexico border. Behind us lies Ash Peak; the site of a rich and deep silver mine. Ash spring is located approx. 1 mile N. of there and was the favorite watering spring for both the early settlers and the Apache Indians. About 3 miles north of Ash Spring is Sheldon Mountain which still has a few petroglyphs left. There were three distinct Indian cultures that settled here and while we only allow the archaeologists to dig, we do allow horseback trips in and photographs to be taken.
Between our Sheldon Mountain ranch and the San Francisco River Ranch we have approximately 14 miles of river frontage and some of the most beautiful and diverse terrain of any ranch in the Southwest. Our elevation varies from approx. 3200 ft. to 6500 ft., from desert to pine trees. The wildlife is as diverse as the terrain and includes grey wolves, coatimundi, big horn sheep, mountain lion, bear, turkey, ocelot, javalina (wild pig), black tail hawk, red tailed hawk and both bald and golden eagle. The ranch boundaries contain around 36 square miles. The Walking X has been running horses and cattle continuously since the Duncan Valley was first settled in the in the 1860s. Our herd of cattle, which guests will be working with, is now 100% Angus and Certified Grassfed.
My name is Richard (Dick) Kaler. I don’t like to say I own anything, I’m just the steward of a couple of ranches we combined to make the Walking X. I get to live here and feel more blessed than anyone I know. Several years ago, I met and became friends with Ray Bouton. Ray has been a guide and wrangler from Wyoming to them Mexico border. and when he has free time, this is where he brings his family and friends. Both of us appreciate and love this country. He is a good cowboy, horse trainer and guide, is knowledgeable in all things western and people listen to him.
The town of Clifton is the Greenlee County seat and is one of the oldest and most historic in Arizona. It is replete with gunfights, bank robberies. Our skies are so clear and the stars so close you can almost touch them. Geronimo “was born near the confluence of the Gila and San Francisco Rivers, somewhere near
Clifton.
Our history is so rich and varied only the surface can be scratched. Most people who come here
become enthralled by the lifestyle and are continually amazed by the astonishing hidden beauty. We hope that you will join us and learn more about the cowboy way of life so you can take away valuable horseman and ranching skills and help preserve an authentic american tradition.