Although the history isn’t well documented, we expect that clever stockmen began using makeshift cattle chutes soon after they began building more fences. Cattle chutes minimize animal stress and prevent injuries to handlers and animals. Early chutes were simple and homemade, often consisting of using a corner of the corral and the existing fence. The cattle chute is the most important piece of equipment in a cattle-handling facility. Cattle chutes all share the same basic design, some sort of gate or head gate at the front, two sturdy sides that allow handlers to access the cattle, and sometimes a gate at the back so that cattle cannot back out of the chute. This particular wooden cattle chute is used to load cattle.
This should be a simple park and grab. If you have the time, follow the trail up the ridge and enjoy the views. This is BLM land and open to the public - just make sure you close the gate.
