Activities
Lots to do...no pressure to do it! Our brand of Western fun includes something for everyone, from the welcome hayride pulled by our Belgian Team to the cheers and action of the Gymkhana finale! Horseback Riding: We offer a variety of rides geared to various skill levels and a variety of times to accommodate your activity schedule. Heart-J Riders can participate in cattle work and the overnight pack trip. Should our program not fit your needs, please talk with our Head Wrangler. Private lessons are not included in the Heart-J Rider Package, but can be made available if staffing and time permits (additional charges apply). Whether you are an avid rider or not, the barn is a great place to be. Grab a rope and brush up on your roping skills. Relax on the �saloon� porch�Western Horseman library available. You can learn a lot just by watching a horsemanship class in progress. You can also participate in Barn Chores in both the morning and evenings! Overnight Pack Trips: Head up the gulch and ride to Cow Camp, an 1890's homestead in the remote back country. Cattle Drives: Sylvan Dale is a working ranch. We run approximately 70 pair of Red Saler cattle. The drives usually takes 4-5 hours, depending on temperatures and endurance levels of calves (and drovers!). Team Penning: Our authentic cattle operation offers a whole new world for avid riders. The opportunity to learn about cattle and how to work them properly will challenge and delight you! The industry call this Team Penning. You will saddle up, head for the cattle pens, and maneuver our Heart-J steers though a series of obstacles to their final destination. This process involves team work, cow savvy, cutting & herding skills, and a good sense of humor. Fishing: It's great to see the delight on children's faces when a 15-inch rainbow trout leaps high in the air at the end of the line -- and watch their parents unsuccessfully try to restrain themselves from "helping." Sylvan Dale is a family-friendly ranch where non-anglers, beginners and experienced fly fishers can enjoy themselves. Fly-fishing. During our mid-June through August dude ranch season, guests begin the week with a complimentary fly-casting demonstration at 4pm on Monday. Adults can become �qualified� for catch-and-release fishing by meeting with the instructor and obtaining a ranch fishing permit. Once qualified, guests are welcome to fly fish the main ranch ponds and the river at any time on a catch-and-release basis, free of charge. (A Colorado state fishing license is required for the river). Trophy Trout Fly Fishing. Guests may make arrangements to fly fish our trophy trout lakes in the Big Valley, two miles from the main ranch. We provide a guide for the first half-day to help guests become qualified for follow-up visits. Additional Charges Apply Bait fishing and spin casting. Summer guests are also invited to join us for supervised catch-and-keep fishing at our stocked trout ponds at the main ranch during certain hours (usually from 4-6 PM Tuesday � Thursday). We clean and prepare the trout for a tasty dinner entr�e. In addition, spin casting is available on our Big Valley bass lakes, by special arrangement. For your convenience, rods, waders and boots, and float tubes are available for a small rental fee. The Ranch store contains a good selection of flies and other supplies. White Water Rafting: Are you ready for a rafting adventure? White water rafting is offered to our summer dude ranch guests through a separate company. The rafting trip is scheduled on the Lower Cache la Poudre River, Colorado's only National Wild & Scenic River. The trip is approximately 4.5 miles, usually Class II and Class III rapids (water flows vary, but the trip is considered intermediate to advanced intermediate in difficulty). A bus will pick you up from the ranch around 12 noon (after an early lunch) and will have you back for dinner by 6:00 pm. Birding & Nature: Sylvan Dale has 3200 acres of wildlife habitat, adjacent to Roosevelt National forest. We cooperate with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to manage wildlife and restore bighorn sheep, wild turkeys and other native species to the area. The valley where the main ranch grounds are located is in a transition zone that includes riparian river corridor, mountain mahogany foothills and ponderosa pine forest, and prairie wetlands. Birders find the ranch ideal for many resident and migratory species. Sylvan Dale is also a central location for exploring nearby "hotspots:" Pawnee National Grasslands and Rocky Mountain National Park. The Jessup family practices low-impact rapid rotation grazing to protect rangeland, and has placed much of the ranch land under conservation easement so it will never be developed. Summer Dude Ranch Vacation guests enjoy a nature walk and a birding experience as part of their package. Evening Fun: Summer Dude Ranch Guests enjoy and evening of Western Dance with Sharon Moore, an evening with a cowboy singer or entertainer, arena night at the stables, family softball night, campfire, and a Friday night ranch party. It�s all part of the package! Rock Climbing: Challenge yourself on our custom-built rock climbing course. We partner with the Colorado Division of the internationally renowned Educo School to provide a safe and enjoyable climbing experience for all ages! Skeet Shooting: Test your skills or improve your marksmanship! Head over to the Big Valley and enjoy an afternoon of fun! Yoga: Regular classes are held every week. Sports Area: Be sure to enjoy our tennis courts, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts. Heated Outdoor Swimming Pool & Hot Tub so bring your swim suits! Game Room: Our game room includes a billiards table, foosball, and pin pong table.
