Big Horn Mountain Roundup - Celebrating 60 Years July 23rd - 27th, 2025
History of The Big Horn Mountain Roundup
In the spring of 1965, Pax and Villa Irvine held a party in their home in Buffalo for a large number of guests. Among those present were two ex-Californians, Robert Burnquist and George Johnson, who had recently invaded Johnson County.
By virtue of their origin and for their mutual protection, they were more or less attracted to each other.
During the course of the evening, the two, in conversation with the host, Pax Irvine, were lauding the beauties of the country and asked him if there had ever been any discussion about an organized trail ride in the Big Horn Mountains. Pax said that it had been considered in the past, but for some reason failed to materialize, but he for one would certainly and enthusiastically support the idea.
With this as a starter, Burnquist and Johnson discussed the idea with other acquaintances in the area and were met with universal enthusiasm. The outgrowth of these conversations culminated in a meeting at the American Legion Club in Buffalo, Wyoming, on April 7, 1965.
Present at the meeting were the twelve original organizers: William Paxton Irvine, Russ E. Miller, Kenneth M. Schiffer, C.R. Burnquist, Kelly Howie, Dr. John A. Knebel, William J. Kirven, L.V. Stafford, A.J. Barker, John R. Christian, R.E. Jones, and George Johnson.
These gentlemen adopted articles of incorporation and bylaws for the organization which were fashioned (or stolen) from the Rancheros Visitadores, a “Trek” in Santa Barbara, California. On June 28, 1965, the Articles of Incorporation for the Big Horn Mountain Roundup were filed with the State of Wyoming. One of the stated purposes of the corporation was to “promote the social welfare of its membership and to increase interest in, and knowledge of, the historic and scenic areas in the immediate vicinity of the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.”
The first applications for the ride were three pages long and required that the applicant state whether he was accustomed to taking care of his own horse and whether it was his own or rented. The applicant was also required to submit a black and white photograph (of himself, not his horse) in complete western attire. Most of the original directors just used the posters of themselves found in the post office
1965 - Hole in the wall
1966 - Hazelton Park
1967 - Big Goose Ranger Station
1968 - Burgess Junction
1969 - Battle Park
1970 - Antelope Butte
1971 - Buffalo Park
1972 - Canyon Creek
1973 - Paint Rock Lakes
1974 - Battle Park
1975 - Burgess Junction
1976 - School House Park
1977 - Medicine Wheel
1978 - Baby Wagon
1979 - Boyd Ridge
1980 - Park Reservoir
1981 - Doyle Creek
1982 - Paradise Ranch
1983 - Elgin Park
1984 - Battle Park
1985 - Fool Creek Ridge
1986 - Medicine Wheel
1987 - Pass Creek
1988 - Hunt Mountain
1989 - Battle Park
1990 - Canyon Creek
1991 - Gold Creek
1992 - Hazelton Peak
1993 - Cow Park
1994 - Battle Park
1995 - Doyle Creek
1996 - Freeze Out
1997 - School House Park
1998 - Round Lake
1999 - Grave Springs
2000 - Elgin Park
2001 - Hunt Mountain
2002 - Bear Trap Meadows
2003 - Fisher Springs
2004 - Medicine Wheel
2005 - Canyon Creek
2006 - Poison Creek
2007 - Lick Creek
2008 - Basco Creek
2009 - Cow Park
2010 - Bear Trap Meadows
2011 - Elgin Park
2012 - Copper Creek
2013 - School House Park
2014 - Pass Creek
2015 - Medicine Wheel
2016 - Muddy Creek
2017 - Lick Creek
2018 - Hunter Mesa
2019 - Canyon Creek
2020 - Covid
2021 - Hunt Mountain
2022 - Dull Knife Reservoir
2023 - Rooster Hill
2024 - Castle Rock
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