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Colorado Dude Ranch Vacation
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At a Glance
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| HIGHLIGHTS | |
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| Famous For: | Superb cuisine & wines. Magnificent accommodations at an intimate, family owned ranch; extensive fly fishing in private stretch of Smith Fork River & 7 ponds; mountain scenery & wildlife; spectacular hikes & trail riding in National Forest & wilderness. |
| Capacity: | 26 guests |
| Open: | May 24 through October 14 |
| Altitude: | 7100 |
| Location: | In Smith Fork River Valley, 7 miles east of historic Crawford, Colorado near the North Rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Midway between Aspen and Telluride. 1.5 hours from Montrose, 2 hours from Aspen, Gunnison & Telluride, 5 hours from Denver. |
| Reservations: | 970-921-3454 |
| Rates: |
Adults: 2007 Seven night Peak Season stay (Sun-Sun): $2950-3420. Dude Ranch season not offered during off season, member Bed and Breakfast Association
Children: Seven day stay Peak Season (Sun-Sun) $300 dollar discount for children 3-7, children 2 and under are free, also a $300 nanny discount |
| Minimum Stay: | Summer peak season (June 10-Sept. 3)-7 days-Sunday-Sunday in July & August; Ranch Getaway's (min. two night stays) and Holiday season packages |
| Deposit: | 50% to confirm reservation, full reservation total due 60 days prior to arrival |
| Payment: | Personal check, cash, traveler's checks, VISA, Mastercard & American Express |
| Closest Airports: | Montrose, Grand Junction, Aspen, Eagle-Vail, Telluride, Gunnison |
| Transportation: | Advised to rent a car, airport pick up available $75 per person, each way. |
| Travel Agents: | YES |
| Guest Reviews: | Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES | |||
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 Adults OrientedAdult Weeks ArcheryBallooningBed-and-BreakfastSeasonal Big/Heavy Riders250-300 lbs. Children's ProgramsBaby Sitting Children's Dining (kids eat together) Moderate - Half Day Nannies Encouraged Children's Trail Riding7 yrs old and over Computer/Email ServicesConference ServicesComputer/Email Services Corporate Groups, MeetingsSmall (under 50) Cross-Country SkiingCuisineGourmet Vegetarian Culinary Trained ChefsDude/Guest RanchesEmail Access |
Fishing Fly Fishing Equipment Available Exclusive Fly Fishing Ranch Fish on Your Own Kids Fly Fishing Program Professional Guides & Instruction Stream Fishing on Property Type of Fish Trout GolfNear (within 30 miles) HandicappedWheelchair Friendly HikingGuided On Your Own Holiday ProgramsChristmas New Years Valentine's Day Honeymoon PackagesHorseback RidingHorsemanshipHorsesAppaloosa Paint Ponies (for kids) Quarter Hunting RanchesBig Game Bear Deer Elk Wingshooting/Birds Chukar Partridge Ducks Hungarian Partridge Pheasant Languages SpokenEnglish Laundry ServiceLiquorAvailable Luxury RanchesMassage |
Naturalist GuidesOrganic FoodsRafting Nearby (within 30 miles) Rock ClimbingShort Stays (1-4 days)Off Season Only SnomobilingBring Your Own Sled On Site Sporting ClaysTeam BuildingTelephone in RoomWhite-Water RaftingNearby (within 30 miles) Class I Class II Class III Winter Snow ActivitiesCross-Country Skiing Fly Fishing Park Tours Snow Shoeing Snowmobiling WomenWeeks Yoga | |
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| LODGING |
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| The Hodgson family, who own this wonderful, intimate mountain retreat have restored the vintage log ranch house, cabins and lodge, carefully retaining the character of the old guest ranch glory days in the first half of the last century. The guest rooms are furnished with handpicked, rustic furniture, Western art, crafts from area artisans and antiques. Even the soaps, lotions and bath accoutrements are handmade exclusively for the ranch. The guest lodge offers five guestrooms--each sleeps 2 guests with private bath; the living room with river rock fireplace and sun porch is available exclusively for ranch house guests. Three cabins(individually furnished with primitive American antiques and western artifacts) each sleep two to four guests and each has a private deck facing the mountains and gas log stoves for crisp Colorado evenings. A fourth larger cabin is tucked in above the Smith Fork of the Gunnison River. It has incredible views of Mendicant Ridge of the West Elk Mountains, one of the lower ponds and the river as well. There are three bedrooms, each with private baths; one is a large semi-enclosed loft with options for threeor four twin beds or a King and twin. The screened-in porch doubles as a sleeping porch, if desired. Depending on the make-up of the group or family, the cabin accommodates a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 10 guests--ideal for a large family or three couples. There is a comfortable feeling throughout, especially in the original log hunting lodge, a gathering place for guests after an exhilerating day of fishing, riding, hiking, visiting nearby vineyards or simply relaxing in a pond-side hammock. Daily housekeeping; laundry service available. |
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| RECREATION |
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| Our activity program is designed for people who savor this breathtaking environment with its towering peaks and high mountain meadows filled with wild flowers, wildlife and wild trout. Guided trail riding in the surrounding West Elk Wilderness and Gunnison National Forest led by the ranch's experienced wranglers. Trail rides range from 2 hours to 8 hour all-day rides..and range from beginner to expert. There are hundred of miles of trails through meadows, creeks and the surrounding mountains. There are breakfast trail rides, all day picnic rides and an evening cookout on the ranch. Two special treks are taken during the week to either a backcountry Fish n' Ride location with a hot lunch, or a all day ride around Tater Heap Mountain through Colorado's least used wilderness area. Fly fishing is readily available in high mountain streams and lakes. Fly fishing includes casting and fly tying clinics, demonstrations by experienced area fishermen, small stream and big river fishing instruction, and guided fly fishing on the ranch. Challenging fishing for both the novice and more advanced fly fisherman. Colorado Cutthroat, Browns Rainbows and Brook trout in abundance in private waters of seven ponds, Second Creek and in 2.5 miles of the Smith Fork River running through the ranch. All fishing is catch & release fly fishing. Our uppermost pond is used as a swimming hole, complete with a floating dock for a splashy entry. Trail rides from the ranch are available to high mountain streams and backcountry ponds. Or an optional guided float trip down the gold medal stretch of the Gunnison River may be arranged. Hiking: More than 30 miles of forest service trails in the Gunnison National Forest easily accessible from the ranch, where Peregrine falcons, bald eagle, red tail hawk, deer, elk, bear and other wildlife can be found. There are full and half day picnic hikes as well as two-hour hikes on the ranch led by staff naturalists who specialize in local wildlife, flowers and geology. Summer hiking schedules includes include a mushroom Trek in the nearby wilderness (season permitting) for Chanterelles and King Boletes and Forays into this unspoiled area of the Rocky Mountains that only a few people have the privilege of experiencing each year. The ranch has an archery range and course with long bows, arrows and instruction are all supplied by the ranch. Additionally, the ranch has designed a woodland archery course that features several different stations designed to challenge beginners and experts alike. The newest addition in outdoor fun in our 9 hole frizbee golf course. Smith Fork Ranch operates under special use permit in the Gunnison National Forest. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Smith Fork Ranch is a paradise for children who want to experience the West and learn more about activities such as horseback riding, fly fishing and other fun outdoor adventures. Kids love horses and our horses love kids! Whether timid or bold, children seven or eight years of age or older will be matched with a horse or pony for the duration of the week. As a family or individual, everyone can experience the Rockies on mountiain rides, pen cattle or run barrels! Younger children can be introduced to our two pint-sized ponies Trixie and Blackjack, who love to give kids rides around ranch property or play games in the arena, all with the help of a staff member. Younger children also enjoy petting and grooming our gentle donkey Eeyore. Fly fishing and instruction are avialable for children depending on their age and ability. We have seven great stocked ponds where kids can try their hand at casting or break out a spinner rod with one of our guide's assistance and reel in a big one either way! For the more experienced children, we have small waders, smaller rods and friendly guides for fly fishing on nearby ranch waters. There is a Children's Counselor who specializes in organizing activities for children and can customize special programs suited for your child's age, interests and needs. Arena games on horseback, fishing, archery, frog hunting, frisbee golf, roping, western style treasure hunt, arts and crafts and panning for gold are among the many activities offered. Our uppermost pond is used as a swimming hole and there is a treehouse near the river and a "kids club" hangout at the old homestead cabin. Also great fun for children is the archery ranch and nearby archery course in the forest (instruction provided). |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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| Smith Fork Ranch is renown for its fine cuisine and exceptional wines-and those culinary experiences that make a vacation in the Colorado Rocky Mountains truly special. Perhaps it is a specially arranged dinner on the deck of one's cabin to enjoy the sunset over Needle Rock or simply a picnic near Second Creek that our chef prepares just for two. A variety of culinary treats are in store for guests each meal. Our chef chooses fresh ingredients from the produce, poultry, lamb beef and game found in abundance in the area. Breakfast is served in the Dinner Bell Cook House in western style booths and tables in the exposed log interior of this original ranch building. Full breakfast includes ranch-mad muffins and biscuits, SFR-made granola and hot entrees such as the chef’s own French toast, corn makes, pancakes omelets, elk sausage, special Smith Fork Quesadillas. Jams, syrups and condiments are made locally for the ranch once a week breakfast is cooked over a campfire as part of an early morning breakfast ride. There is a lunch buffet once or twice a week and custom picnic baskets, which guests order their own sandwiches, salads and other ranch specialties for lunch. Guests enjoy their picnic lunches at streamside, on a deck or porch, or at several ranch picnic areas. Depending on the days’ activities. Guests who are hiking or riding horseback in the national forest or wilderness may have picnics on the trail with wranglers or guides -- or at SFR’s backcountry camp. Truly a special event, dinner, preceded by cocktails and hors d’ouevres, is served on the open-air pavilion in full view of the mountains and a spectacular Colorado sunset. A four or five course dinner is offered with our chef's signature specialties including smoked game, elk and lamb from nearby ranches –and fresh Colorado trout. Desserts all from the SFR kitchen (fruit tarts, pies sorbets) are all made from fruits grown in orchards a few miles away. A highlight for many is a late afternoon “cocktail ride” to a scenic overview, followed by a ride to a cookout spot down by the river. A children’s menu is available and youngsters may eat with their parents or at a children’s dinner on the deck of the Dinner Bell Cookhouse with SFR staff in attendance. The ranch features one of the finest wine lists on the western slope, offering more than 250 fine wines. |
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| BUSINESS/MEETINGS |
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| The ranch is available for corporate retreats in the off season-in the early spring, late fall or winter. Activities such as riding, hiking, fishing or snow shoeing may be arranged around the business meeting schedule. Ideal for corporate board meetings, getaways and retreats! |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Colorado Dude & Guest Ranch Association, Dude Rancher's Association, and Member of Colorado Bed and Breakfast & Inn Keepers Association |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Smith Fork Ranch is located in Colorado's western slope east of Crawford, a town many say is "the Last true Cow town". Crawford country, as it is called, has managed to keep its old west character and out-of-the-way charm intact for over a hundred years. While our area of Colorado is certainly off the beaten path, it has much to offer in activities, history and attractions. The ranch itself is about 20 miles from the North rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, the country's newest National Park, and offers incredible views and hiking in North America's most rugged and breathtaking gorge. As a part of your ranch stay, we would be happy to arrange a leisurely hiking or driving trip along the North rim, or for the more adventurous, a spectacular hiking or fly fishing trip into the depths of the inner canyon wilderness. True to its heritage Crawford country and the entire North Fork valley is still peopled by cattlemen, cowboys, farmers and Indians-the Utes-who have lived and hunted in the area for hundreds of years. Special events in the area during the summer and fall celebrate these people and their close connection to this productive land and its past. In June, Aspen hosts the Aspen Food and Wine Festival. July 4th: The nearby town of Paonia hosts a yearly Cherry Festival with local artists, entertainment, carnival rides & parade. In August the Olathe Sweet Corn Festival yearly celebration of the harvest with local music, artists, crafts booths and all the free corn you can eat. Delta County Fair & Rodeo with stock show, concerts, bull riding; Palisade Peach Festival-Colorado's most productive orchard area celebrates with western music, crafts, a recipe contest and the best peaches you've ever eaten. in September, the Mountain Harvets Festival in Paonia features music from the western slope and culinary events as the peak of the harvest in the Nork Fork Valley. Smith Fork Ranch hosts its 5th Anual Culinary weekend september 13-16, 2007. In September the Ute Council Tree Pow Wow takes place with tradional Ute Indian drums, dance, artwork and teepee village. |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| First homesteaded in the late 1890's, what is now known as Smith Fork Ranch first became a guest ranch in the 1930's when Grant and Mamie Ferrier brought a group of photographers from California up to their home in the mountains. Mamie, who lived in Crawford, and is considered the area's foremost historian wrote that "they had traveled to Europe and over the United States, but this was the best vacation they ever had". Within a few years Grant and Mamie had created a thriving guest ranch business with visitors from all over the world. By 1939 they began construction of a lodge, cabins and a restaurant for their guests and by the mid 1940's had dug and stocked several trout ponds. Grant, Mamie and their family ran a guest ranch successfully for over 30 years before selling the ranch in the 1970's. Several years ago, the Hodgson family discovered and purchased the ranch which had fallen into neglect and disrepair. With a sense of adventure, a love of the outdoors and an intense interest in the history of the area and its heritage, the Hodgson's have restored and refurbished the old ranch in keeping with its original character. In doing so, they have created a world-class destination for vacationers and outdoorsmen in an unspoiled, undiscovered area of the Rocky Mountains. |
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