Charity Poker Ride
Photo credit Ali Briggs
Saddle Up for a Cause — Ride the Pines, Play Your Hand, and Help Change a Woman’s Life.
Saturday May 16, 2026 at Whistlin Pine Ranch
This is a fun, non-speed ride — slow down and soak in the beauty of the private 500-acre Whistlin’ Pine Ranch, land few ever get to access. All proceeds support the Cowgirl Capable Fund, are tax deductible, and help provide life-changing scholarships.”
SILENT AUCTION SATURDAY AFTERNOON DRAWING
Cowgirl Capable is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on empowering women. Donations from this event will go toward scholarships for female survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking, nominated by recognized organizations supporting their recovery. These scholarships allow women to attend a Cowgirl Capable retreat, range day, or travel safety and personal protection planning session.
What to Expect:
Poker Ride:
• Riders will have a staggered start hitting the trail at 9:00 AM – last rider out by noon.
• Charity Dutch Oven Dinner: Saturday 6:00 PM – $25 per person
(BYOC – bring your own chair)
Poker Hands (standard poker rules apply)
• Initial Poker Hand: $50
• Additional Poker Hands: $25 each
Top poker hands will win great prizes. Prize values: 1st $200 | 2nd $100 | 3rd $50.
Haul-In & Camping Options:
Early Spring Discount Weekend of Horse Camping (Friday–Sunday)
• $125 per rider
• Includes ranch haul-in fee + 1 poker hand
Each Additional Horse in camp: $25 overnight fee (per night)
Saturday-Sunday $100
• Includes ranch haul-in ranch fee + 1 poker hand + 1 dinner ticket
Saturday Day Ride Only $75
• Includes ranch haul-in ranch fee + 1 poker hand
Optional Sunday Ride
• Sunday Morning Trail Ride
• Riders depart the ranch no later than 2:00 PM
What the Haul-In Fee Includes
• Access to 500 acres of private ranch riding trails
• Primitive horse camping: High lines available (overnight campers only, first come / first serve)
• Stock water available in a central location at horse camp for horses
• Sani-cans
Please Note:
• No power, water, or sewer hookups
• Stock tank water is for horses only
Dogs
We prefer no dogs. If you must bring one:
• They must stay secured at your trailer/vehicle
• Absolutely NO DOGS on the trail ride (insurance requirement)
• Owners must clean up after them
This is a private ranch and the home of the Cowgirl Capable Fall Retreat, so we ask everyone to be respectful and Leave No Trace.
Per Washington State rules:
- No Free tickets or tickets as gifts
- Tickets must be paid for in full by cash, or credit card. No IOU’s
- Tickets can’t be sold over the internet (please pre-register and commit to at least the dinner in order to finalize our headcount)
- Only members of our organization, or volunteers under the supervision of a member, may sell tickets
Getting to the Ranch
Cowgirl Capable will be hosted on the beautiful Whistlin’ Pine Ranch located at the south end of Alta Lake (just a mile past the State Park) in Pateros, WA.
This family ranch is now run by my dear friend Tara who’s Grandparents, Jean and Adolph Varrelman, opened the campground and dude ranch in 1946. Her father, Brian Varrelman, took over the campground and dude ranch operations in 1980, adding Sawtooth Outfitters, a commercial Outfitting and Guide service for hunting, fishing, and vacationing in the Pasayten and Sawtooth Wilderness areas.
Alta Lake spans across 220 acres and is known to Anglers near and far. The area also provides expansive room for sunseekers. An 18-hole golf course resides at the North end of the lake, and white-water rafting is just a few miles down the hill on the Methow River.
Easy drives to Lake Chelan South just 25 miles which is home to over 30 Vinyards and over 40 Wineries and Tasting Rooms in the AVA and Winthrop North 45 miles. The Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area (AVA) is the 11th AVA in Washington State with AVA status granted back in 2009. It encompasses the southernmost and easternmost areas of the lake and the surrounding land that are at or below 2,000 feet in elevation.
Directions from Omak WA:
Take US-97 S for 29 miles. Turn right onto Hwy 153 for appx 2 miles. Turn left onto Alta Lake Rd. Drive appx 3 miles past the Golf Course and the State Park to the South end of Alta Lake. You will arrive at your destination at the end of the County Rd.
Directions from Winthrop WA:
Head South on Hwy 153 for appx 40 miles. Turn right onto Alta Lake Rd. Drive appx 3 miles past the Golf Course and the State Park to the South end of Alta Lake. You will arrive at your destination at the end of the County Rd.
Directions from Chelan WA:
Head NE on Hwy 97 ALT/Woodin Ave appx 5 miles. Turn left onto Hwy 97 N for 13 miles. Turn left onto Hwy 153 N for appx 2 miles. Turn left onto Alta Lake Rd. Drive appx 3 miles past the Golf Course and the State Park to the South end of Alta Lake. You will arrive at your destination at the end of the County Rd.
Whistlin’ Pine Ranch is 1 mile from Alta Lake State Park
If flying in:
Wenatchee (EAT) – CLOSEST 66 Miles / 1 hour 22 minutes
Tri-Cities Airport – Pasco (PSC) – 179 miles / 3 hours
Spokane International Airport – 142 Miles / 2 hours 40 minutes – this route will take you through Grand Coulee where you can stop and visit the Coulee Dam with some beautiful stretches on that route.
Seattle Paine Field Airport in Everett (PAE) – 187 miles / 3 hours 48 minutes
SeaTac (SEA) Seattle Tacoma International Airport – 209 miles / 3 hours 40 minutes from SeaTacoma Airport. Either route navigation will take you is a beautiful drive. If you head up and over Hwy 2 you will drive through the adorable alpine town of Leavenworth where it feels like you’ve left the states and arrived in Germany. The entire town is architecturally designed to resemble a Bavarian village.
Raised like a capable man but still expected to act like a lady.
