Closing Down The Barnes’ Mather Corral

Below is a letter from Jay and Elizabeth Barnes to the Camp Mather community.

It is after long, emotional consideration that we inform you of the curtailment of the trail rides and the Hay Rides at Camp Mather by the Barnes Family, after 86 years of operation.  This marks the end of an era.  Each spring we looked forward to our upcoming summer activities and of seeing the many wonderful folks that have come to the corral during the Camp season.

Many factors have contributed to this difficult decision.  Among them are the effects and results of the 2013 Rim Fire, the ongoing drought conditions, the increasing operational costs, the increasing difficulty finding dependable and qualified staff, and the problems with rigid government interference and red tape.  All these factors, plus the realization that we are getting older, ourselves.  We have hopes of someone else stepping up to follow in our “horse tracks” by continuing to operate the corral business.

We have fond memories of the many generations of families that have visited the Mather Corral and came to share their own stories and experiences of trail rides in the wilderness.  We hope you will cherish the memories of The Breakfast Rides, Hay Rides and Burro rides as much as we do.  We have appreciated your patronage and friendship throughout the years and hope our trails will cross again soon.  In closing:

Happy Trails to You, Until We Meet Again,

Jay and Elizabeth Barnes