| HIGHLIGHTS |
| Famous For: |
Wonderful, remote, small, family-oriented guest ranch. Great for couples and singles, too!. Located in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Off-the-beaten path charm. We are Colorado's highest guest ranch. |
| Capacity: |
30 pampered guests |
| Open: |
May 23rd - September 19th, 2010 |
| Altitude: |
9600' ft-Colorado's Highest |
| Location: |
Buena Vista , Colorado - Home of the largest collection of 14,000 plus feet peaks in the lower 48 states. The white water capital of Colorado. 90 miles west of Colorado Springs and 120 southwest of Denver. |
| Reservations: |
1-800-432-8812 Out of country 001-719-539-4430 |
| Rates: |
Adults: Off Season-$1550, Peak Season-$1750, 7-night weekly package includes all activities.
Children: 8-12 year olds--Off Season-$1025, Peak Season-$1125 3-7 year olds--Off Season-$925, Peak Season-$1025, 7-night weekly package includes all activities.
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| Vacation Specials: |
Adults-Only Week |
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Adult-Only Week: Weeks of September 5 and 12, 2010 - Enjoy the peak of the Fall colors, quiet and relaxation. Great off-season rates - $1550/adult. Additional 10% fee for single occupancy is waived. Limited to 20 guests. |
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| Minimum Stay: |
Sunday to Sunday stay. |
| Deposit: |
$600 per person with the balance due at the end of stay. Deposit is refundable (less 10% administrative fee) if notified of cancellation 60 days prior to arrival. |
| Payment: |
Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Personal checks and Traveler's checks. |
| Closest Airports: |
Pleasant 2 hour drive from either Colorado Springs or Denver Airports. |
| Transportation: |
Rental car or Ranch airport transfer. The charge is $310 roundtrip per family group of five or less. |
| Travel Agents: |
YES |
| Guest Reviews: |
Read reviews from travelers who have visited this ranch. |
| FEATURED AMENITIES |
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 Adults Oriented
Adult Weeks
All Inclusive
Archery
Big/Heavy Riders
200-250 lbs.
Children's Programs
Baby Sitting
Extensive Counselor Program - All Day or Camplike Program
Little Buckaroo's (3-5)
Moderate - Half Day
Wee Buckaroo's (infant-2)
Young Buckaroo's (6-12)
Children's Trail Riding
7 yrs old and over
Computer/Email Services
Conference Services
Computer/Email Services
Corporate Groups, Meetings
Small (under 50)
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Cuisine
Ranch/Western
Vegetarian
Dude/Guest Ranches
Email Access
Fishing
Fly Fishing
Equipment Available
Fish on Your Own
Lake Fishing on Property
Type of Fish
Trout
Spin Fishing
Equipment Available
Lake Fishing on Property
Golf
Near (within 30 miles)
Hiking
Guided
On Your Own
Horseback Riding
Horsemanship
Horses
Appaloosa
Arabian
Draft
Paint
Ponies (for kids)
Quarter
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Hot Springs
Nearby (within 30 miles)
Languages Spoken
English
Laundry Service
Liquor
Bring Your Own
Massage
Mountain Biking
Non-Riding Rates
Pack Trips
Ranch Activity
Rafting
Nearby (within 30 miles)
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Remote Location
Generates Own Power/Electricity
Sporting Clays
White-Water Rafting
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| LODGING |
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| The main lodge houses the dining room with fireplace, cowboy and mining artifacts, sitting room, library, sundeck, and the upstairs Elk suite. There are six one and two bedroom log cottages with private bath and king and queen beds. The Pioneer Lodge has three guest rooms, all with private bathes. All lodging is carpeted, tastefully furnished, with daily housekeeping service. The ranch generates its own electricity. Lights out at 11 p.m. Enjoy the star gazing. |
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| RECREATION |
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Activities: Horseback riding and instruction that is unsurpassed. Daily riding through thousands of acres of unspoiled National Forest. Thrilling white water raft trip down the Arkansas River--one of the top ten half day trips in the country. Visit an abandoned mining town. Vehicle trip to Aspen over the Continental Divide. Overnight camp trip high in the Rockies. Full children's program for ages 3-7 years. Trapshooting, marksmanship, archery, two stocked fishing ponds, Jacuzzi, campfires, hayride, square dancing, horseshoes, hiking, biking, volleyball, badminton, tetherball and basketball court.
Entertainment: Hayride with cowboy poet and fiddler, square dancing and hammer dulcimer concert, campfires, old western and kid's movies, board games, library and relaxation. |
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| FOR CHILDREN |
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| Excellent children's program for ages 3-7 years. Each day has a unique theme. Indian Day, Cowboy Day, Water Day, etc. Arena horseback riding, scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, swimming at the Mount Princeton hot springs (adults welcome too!), fishing, hiking. The kids will sleep well at night. As we are more family-oriented, all meals are eaten together in our main lodge. Come and enjoy your family! |
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| FOOD/LIQUOR |
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Superb, varied, full course meals to delight both hearty and discerning appetites...sure to be a highlight. Fresh fruit, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and the bottomless cookie jar are available in the main lodge any time of day or night. Evening hors d'oeuvres. Liquor is BYOB. Bar area available in main lodge. Ranch provides glasses, ice, tonic water, club soda, lemons and limes. Saturday night country candlelight dinner. Elk tenderloin is just one of your options. You don't want to miss it.
Children's menu items. Special diets and special occasions are happily accommodated. |
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| MEMBERSHIPS |
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| Colorado Dude and Guest Ranch Association, Dude Rancher's Association, America Outdoors, Certified Horsemanship Association, Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce |
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| REGION/CUSTOMS |
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| Home of the white-water capital of Colorado and largest collection of 14,000 feet peaks in the lower 48 states. Historic mining town of St. Elmo just across the valley. Scenic 1 hour drive to the ski town of Breckenrige-quaint shops and alpine slide. Tour the historic town of Leadville to the North. Visit the Royal Gorge in Canon City-world's highest suspension bridge. Enjoy a day at Cripple Creek-historical mine tours and limited stakes gambling. Whichever way you choose to go, the Colorado scenery is unique and spectacular. |
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| HISTORY/HOSTS |
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| Our ranch was once the mill site for the Futurity Mining town. The Mining camp was active around the turn of the century. Our trading post is an original prospector's cabin. Tom and Sue Murphy, along with their children Hunter, 17, and Tyler, 14, are your hosts. In Gene's own words "Delightful, energetic, hosts and excellent staff who love what they do - and it shows." We are committed to upholding the deserved reputation for a traditional western vacation experience, which is unsurpassed. |
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| ITINERARY |
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Sunday: Arrive after 3 pm. Join us for a guided hike to Futurity before settling in for a scrumptious turkey dinner with all the fixin's.
Monday: Horse orientation followed by ride to Katie's Peak where we will "wow" you with the views. Return to the ranch for picnic lunch. Afternoon choices include trailride to Big Meadow, marksmanhip tournament or just stay back and relax. Steak-fry dinner followed by hayride and campfire. Pop popcorn over the fire, roast marshmallows for s'mores, and warm up with some hot chocolate.
Tuesday: Rise and shine. Ride heads out at 8 am for a beautiful trip through Aspen stands and open meadows. Enjoy our famous champagne brunch overlooking the Arkansas Valley and Collegiate Peaks. Join us for a game of fat bat ball before returning to the ranch. Afternoon allows plenty of time to soak in the Jacuzzi, fish, mountain bike or take a nap. Square dance and line dance in the evening. Then, join us in the lodge for hammer dulcimer, guitar and sing-a-long.
Wednesday: Test your skill at the archery tournament. Then, load up for a hamburger cookout on the Arkansas River. Guides will pick us up right on the banks for your thrilling white-water raft trip through Brown's Canyon on the Arkansas River. Not ready to raft? Come join our van to the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs. Die-hard rider? Stay back and ride, ride, ride. Tonight enjoy our local cowboy poet and fiddler.
Thursday: Luncheon trail ride saddles up at 10 a.m. Want even more riding? Join the wranglers for an overnight packtrip. A day (or two) to remember. Plenty of riding and a chance to sleep under the Colorado skies.
Friday: A plethora of choices-luncheon trail ride, van trip to Aspen over Independence Pass, van trip to higher mountain lake and stream for a day of fishing (or hiking). Tonight take on the Elk Mountain staff in a game of volleyball. You know them well enough now - don't be too kind.
Saturday: Morning choices include trail ride over Hovey's Ridge or test your skill in our trapshooting tournament (guns, ammo and supervision provided). Afternoon is time for the kids' rodeo (barrels, poles, and foot games). Adults can stay back and enjoy the rodeo or take their last trail ride. The evening is topped off with our country candlelight dinner. Time to get a little spruced up and enjoy the camaraderie of friendships made.
Sunday: Happy Trails! Hope to see you next summer!
Summary: Elk Mountain Ranch is a small, remote, cozy hideaway that is great for families, couples, and singles who enjoy an off-the-beaten path experience. Adult-only week in September. Please visit our website at www.elkmtn.com for complete information and a brochure. If you should have any questions, just give us a call; we will be happy to answer any and all questions. Thank you and hope to see you at the Ranch. |
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