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Sierra Cowboy |
 Sheldon GajarianSheldon@clovisroundup.com The Clyde Pack Outfit has been serving the outdoorsman for 31 years. Dr. Allen Clyde’s love and knowledge of our mountain ranges are surpassed by none. But he is much more than just an outfitter and guide. In fact he reminds me of Nascar driver Mark Martin, a non-stop tough guy that would give his shirt to a stranger. A podiatrist by profession, a cattle rancher at home, a Fresno County School Board member in his spare time, and a real Cowboy all the time. He founded Clyde Pack Outfit to afford the everyday person the experience of our beautiful mountain back-country terrain in a way you could not have imagined. Your horseback trip can last a couple of hours to a few days. They can lead you into the rugged beauty of the Kings River back country, the John Muir and Dinkey Lakes Wilderness areas or on into Kings Canyon National Park. You can sleep under the stars, cook over an open fire and camp without that travel trailer. Maybe you’re a naturalist, there’s plenty of opportunity for amazing pictures. Maybe you’re a fisherman, there are over 100 lakes and over 200 miles of fishing streams where Eastern Brook and Rainbow Trout swim in the cleanest bluest waters you will ever see. Dr. Clyde has packed in celebrities, politicians and even Huel Howser from PBS. He says business is booming, people are reacting to the global economy and generally feel safer staying in the USA right now. His outfit has packed in/out over 20,000 people and his horses have never stumbled. That is saying something considering the terrain they cross.  He stables anywhere from 50-60 pack horses and all are home raised and hand trained. Dr. Clyde and Debbie, his wife of 20-years, are a team that loves their animals. They are not just work horses, but part of the family.When a horse gets too old for the high country, they are moved to the Dinkey Creek Station near Shaver Lake for short rides and a life of luxury. He routinely has animals live well beyond a normal life expectancy, some 30-years. Tears welled up a bit while talking about how much his buddies mean to him. Dr. Clyde remarked that if he is reincarnated, “I want to come back as one of my pack horses. You work three months a year, have lifetime medical and dental, all you can eat and free shoes.” The Clydes also ranch a cattle herd and still hold one of the very few high country grazing permits left available. And if all of this was not enough to keep them busy. Two years ago they founded a non-profit foundation to train Bronc riders beginning at the high school level. Renowned Bronc cowboy Rocky Steagall is training the students. For several decades Fresno State had no team, now because of their dedication to the sport and kids, FSU has a team of contenders. Visit Bronc Riders of California to see how you might get involved. “Bronc riders are tough. They would and do play football, but show me a football player riding a Bronc horse,” smiled Allen. As we talked, it became clear his mission in life is to serve young people. He didn’t exactly say that, but his life shows he cares about our children’s education and this valley. If Allen had his way, every kid would travel out of the states at least once to gain perspective and learn a life lesson. He leaned back in his office chair and talked about how much it meant to him during college. Allen picked crops at local fields after school saving his money for summer. He hitchhiked through Europe on $2 a day and traveled through 16 countries, twice. Maybe that’s why he became a podiatrist after all that walking. Whatever the reasons are, he’s a man on the move and planning to run for a third term on the Fresno County school board. We can all thank the Clyde family for making a difference in our valley. |
