Michael Ciaglo

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell travels through Yellowstone National Park with Ben Masters, an acquaintance who recently rode a similar, yet longer, ride up the Continental Divide Trail on horseback in 2013. Knell invited Masters on a portion of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses. 

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell warms up by a fire as he settles in for the evening on his pack string's first overnight trip near Lake George, Colorado in preparation for a three-month, 1000 mile journey to Montana along the Continental Divide Trail.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell chases after his mare, Mustang Sally, before the pack string's first overnight trip near Lake George, Colorado. 

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell, right, hugs his father, Philip Knell, as Ray sets off on a three-month, 1000 mile journey to Montana along the Continental Divide Trail. Knell is donating money he raised, trail gear and his three mules and one mare to veterans program Heroes and Horses when he arrives at their ranch in Montana.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell attempts to calm down his mare, Mustang Sally, in a small pen at M Lazy C Ranch before taking his pack string out for their first overnight trip near Lake George, Colorado in preparation for a three-month, 1000 mile journey to Montana along the Continental Divide Trail.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell sets off on a three-month, 1000 mile journey to Montana along the Continental Divide Trail. Knell is donating money he raised, trail gear and his three mules and one mare to veterans program Heroes and Horses when he arrives at their ranch in Montana.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell gathers gear to take his mules and mare out for their first overnight trip near Lake George, Colorado in preparation for a three-month, 1000 mile journey to Montana along the Continental Divide Trail.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell builds a fire as he settles in for the evening on his pack string's first overnight trip near Lake George, Colorado in preparation for a three-month, 1000 mile journey to Montana along the Continental Divide Trail.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell walks through a field outside Yellowstone National Park to tie up his mare for the night as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Manhattan, Montana.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell travels through Yellowstone National Park with Ben Masters, an acquaintance who recently rode a similar, yet longer, ride up the Continental Divide Trail on horseback in 2013. Knell invited Masters on a portion of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell kisses his mare, Mustang Sally, during their reunion outside Yellowstone National Park. Mustang Sally had to be taken off the trip for a few weeks after she ingested poisonous plants.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell, left, rests up at Hawk's Rest before traveling through Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell finishes tying down his packs on his mule, Top Gun, as he travels through Yellowstone National Park near the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Manhattan, Montana. 

Ben Masters smokes a cigarette as he rides through Yellowstone National Park with Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell slaps a sign marking the southern border of Yellowstone National Park as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Manhattan, Montana. "I knew if I made it to Yellowstone I had no excuse not to finish," Knell said as he crossed into the park. 

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell travels through Yellowstone National Park with Ben Masters, an acquaintance who recently rode a similar, yet longer, ride up the Continental Divide Trail on horseback in 2013. Knell invited Masters on a portion of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

Ben Masters walks his pack string along the banks of Yellowstone Lake as the sun sets.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell and Ben Masters share a bottle of whiskey as they travel through Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell's mule, Magic, after a rainy night on the banks of Yellowstone Lake.

Ben Masters rides his mustang, Luke, through a river outside of Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell gallops through Pelican Valley as the sun sets over Yellowstone National Park.

A bison walks through Pelican Valley in Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell 's mule, Magic, stands in a wet field as Ben Masters prepares breakfast before the days ride along the banks of Yellowstone Lake.

Ben Masters, left, and Ray Knell ride along a hill in Pelican Valley with their pack string as they head for their next camp along the Lamar River in Yellowstone National Park.

Ben Masters rides his mustang, Luke, through a waterfall outside of Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell travels through Yellowstone National Park as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

Ben Masters laughs as he watches his mustang, Luke, wear a cowboy hat in Yellowstone National Park.

Luke the mustang wears a cowboy hat in Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell cleans his rifle as he travels through Yellowstone National Park as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell takes a nap as he travels through Yellowstone National Park as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

Luke the mustang in Yellowstone National Park.

Ben Masters looks out at the horses and mules as the graze in Yellowstone National Park.

Luke's mane lights up in the sunrise in Yellowstone National Park.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell fishes in the Lamar River as he travels through Yellowstone National Park as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell travels through Yellowstone National Park as he nears the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.

The Milky Way lights up the sky above camp as Army Special Forces veteran Ray Knell travels through Yellowstone National Park near the end of his solo, 1000 mile ride from Lake George, Colorado to Bozeman, Montana for the veterans group Heroes and Horses.