Hole-in-the-Wall Gang Rides Through Ramona
By Regina Elling

The riders go over some last minute details before hitting Wildcat Canyon Road. Photo by Regina Elling

"Afew weeks ago we robbed a train," John Pickle stated matter-of-factly. "And we've already made plans to steal a diamond."

It was enough to make local residents a bit nervous. After all, plans for the diamond theft involved a large group of armed bad

guys riding horseback through Ramona. But for members of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, the ride itself was as big an event as the jewelry heist.

"We've been planning this for about a year," says Pickle. "We're really pumped up about it."

Hole-in-the-Wall Gang members dress in 1880s period bad-guy gear, from their cowboy hats to their boots. In addition to group rides, they perform at parties, parades, shows and reenactments.

This ride - named The First Annual Lakeside to Borrego Springs Ride - involves a dozen men on horseback, two camp cooks and a chuckwagon wrangler.

Above, hitting the backcountry trails. Below, the riders arrive in Borrego Springs. Photos courtesy of John Pickle

However, the original ride had to be canceled due to the Witch Creek fire.

"We spent our first night, Oct. 20, at Lakeside, so we could start bright and early Sunday morning. The plan was to spend Sunday riding to Ramona," says Pickle.

Originally the riders planned to spend the night at Four Corners on some private property, riding to Eagle Peak the next day. But as their path went straight into the path of the fire, the men had to abandon their plan, and find rides home for themselves and their horses. It was a scary situation, but they made plans to regroup as soon as they could.

On Nov. 16, the Gang was finally able to finish its long-planned ride.

"We rode the back trails to Lake Cuyamaca, and spent our fourth night at the new horse camp on the Sunrise Highway. The next day found us going back through the Sunrise Highway, riding backcountry trails 'til we got to Shelter Valley," Pickle says.

The following night the riders camped at Ranchita. From there, they rode the Hellhole Canyon trails until they arrived at Borrego Springs.

"We covered about 180 miles from start to finish," Pickle says. "We rode about 15 to 30 miles a day, or spent about seven to eight hours a day in the saddle." The riders and their mounts spent hours training so that they were in good physical condition for the journey.

In the original ride, all the Gang members were men. Since the wildfire, some of the group was unable to continue, but they picked up some new riders.

"This time, many of our wives went with us," Pickle says. "We really needed them for better luck."

And of course, with the womenfolk along, the diamond stealing had to wait.

"The whole ride was just a huge amount of fun," he says with a laugh. "Everyone, from the riders to those we stopped to visit with, had a great time."

To find out more about the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang and their upcoming schedule

of events, call Doc Blaylock at 619-437-1202, or visit: www.holeinthewallgang.org.