Retreats beginning in New Mexico — December 2026
Join for a Journey Back to Conscious Love, Choice, and Connection.
Trail Mavericks: "Navigating the path of the heart, authentically."
An intentional couples retreat led personally by F. Mikel Carmon — founder of Spirit Riders Lodge.
"Most couples don't need more time together. They need a different kind of time."
Trail Mavericks is a small, intentional retreat for couples who are ready to do the real work — not the performative kind, but the quiet, honest kind that changes how you move through the world together. No lectures. No group therapy. Just tools, ceremony, horses, and a guide who has devoted her life to this work.
A place to belong
All of you is welcome here.
Trail Mavericks Retreats welcomes people of every sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, faith tradition, ability, age, and life experience. We honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and we are committed to creating a space where each guest is respected, affirmed, and supported in their full humanity.
The Journey
Six days. Six chapters. A full arc from arrival to departure — designed to move you.
Several journeys are offered — including our signature six-day retreat.
The Tools We Use
Trail Mavericks retreats draw on a lineage of intention-based practice. The through line across all of it: healing and lasting connection don't have to be complicated. They start with clarity, honest reflection, and tools you'll actually use once you're home.
The Circle of Intention
01A simple, powerful practice for naming what you want to create.
The Life Grid
02A structured self-assessment that maps where you are across the key dimensions of a conscious life.
Eden Energy Medicine
03Practical techniques drawn from Donna Eden's foundational work.
Equine Assisted Learning
04Ground-based sessions with Mikel's herd of horses and mules.
Our Lineage
The Spirit Riders Lineage
A Trail Mavericks Retreat draws directly on the lineage of Spirit Riders Lodge — a long-standing destination for holistic wellness and personal transformation, founded and led by F. Mikel Carmon. The lodge has built a quiet reputation for grounded, accessible approaches to wellness rooted in simplicity, integrity, and sustainable vitality.
"Healing is not difficult. You just need a compass, and some tools that actually work in life."
— F. Mikel Carmon, Founder, Spirit Riders Lodge
CreateEnergy: Conscious Living and Healing in Balance
About Us
A Living Practice. Not a Brand.
Trail Mavericks Retreats is the retreat expression of Spirit Riders Lodge.
Every Trail Mavericks retreat is personally facilitated by Mikel. Her work draws on a rare convergence of credentials — a Master's in counseling, certification as a Shamanic Counselor, advanced instruction in Eden Energy Medicine, and over 20 years integrating Equine Assisted Learning into relational healing work.
As announced in USA Today
"Spirit Riders Lodge Marks 35 Years of Holistic Healing, Wellness, and Conscious Living"
F. Mikel Carmon
It was safe to talk with Mikel about anything. Mikel asked me many difficult questions comfortably and kindly, in ways that I could hear; in plain language I could relate to.
I've known Mikel over 20 years now. Our relationship started with me applying for a position to work for her. The first thing that I noticed was that communication, clarity, and consistency were of utmost importance to her. Through the years, she has not wavered one bit on this. In fact, all those who are close to Mikel possess these traits. When you combine this with her spiritual and compassionate love for others, you'll see an extremely unique individual. I'm happy to say that she has become extremely important in my life.
Mikel is an outstanding guide, healer and truth-teller. I've known her for over 20 years now as a fellow explorer and counselor. She is my energetic touchstone that grounds me when my world gets chaotic and confusing. Her knowledge of the energy system is invaluable and actionable. She will cut to the chase with compassion, precision and straight-talking humor, which invariably shines a spotlight upon the strength and wisdom I have within me. Any amount of time I can spend with her helps to shift my mindset back into a more balanced perspective, magically releasing fear and self-doubt. I am grateful to know her as a stellar human being! We need more of her energy and grace on this earth!
Limited Spots Available
New Mexico — December 2026
This is an intimate retreat — intentionally small, deeply personal. If you feel the pull, trust it.
All of you is welcome here.
Trail Mavericks Retreats welcomes people of every sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, race, ethnicity, faith tradition, ability, age, and life experience. We honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and we are committed to creating a space where each guest is respected, affirmed, and supported in their full humanity.