Volume 8 , Issue 41

Sheep Trailing In the High Country

"..... Casey's family is one of only three sheep ranching families left who carry on this trailing tradition. In the 1800's, sheep and cattle were trailed up into the forests above Bayfield, Colorado, for summer pasture. Native Americans, homesteaders, and immigrant herders moved their animals from southern Colorado and northern New Mexico into the high mountains for the summer. In the fall when the animals came down, the herders often did not know when they had reached New Mexico because there were no fences. Just as was done over a hundred years ago, Casey will trail his sheep home to Ignacio at the end of September when the lambs are sold, then trail the ewes down into New Mexico for the winter..... Believing that this trailing tradition is a unique attraction, the community of Bayfield created the Sheep Trailing and Heritage Days Festival last year (2000) to honor its farming and ranching heritage. Spectators are invited to come and watch the actual trailing home to fall pasture as the sheep parade through the main street of town. " -- written by Geri Lasater - Website: Sheep trailing in the High Country
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