Month: January 2021

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Latigo Ranch, Kremmling, Colorado

Suzie on the way back from Saddleview trail passing through one of the entrances to Latigo Ranch.

Happy New Year 2021! We are glad to have 2020 behind us and to celebrate, we decided to do something different that we have wanted to do for a while and visit Latigo Ranch for the New Year’s holiday. Technically this is a “dude ranch” (yeah, I know, Ethan really?), but in the winter it turns into a Nordic ski area and guest ranch which is more our style of enjoying the outdoors. The ranch managed to stay open during the pandemic by limiting its capacity during this time, so we were one of only two families present making this getaway seem more like a visit to a private ranch.

Between the clouds and the fog, many of our outdoor shots where dark and starkly contrasting lending themselves to being sepia-toned in post processing .An old tractor and a summer playground made from an interesting backdrop to this snow scene.
These are the views from the ranch when it isn’t cloudy or foggy!

The ranch itself is sprawling with many cabins, a lodge, a “social club” (ironic in pandemic times), a barn and the noted “Cluckingham Palace” where the chickens and ducks enjoy a posh heated coop adjoined next to “Eggcelsior Gardens” allowing the inhabitants to bask in the outdoors without fear of an eagle or fox turning them into dinner.

Approaching Cluckingham Palace causes a cacophony of cluck and honks from the residents
They rush down the ramp into Eggcelsior Gardens hoping to be fed.
Here’s a view of the outside of the social club with a large deck on the front.
Inside, downstairs there is ping pong, foosball, and plenty of games for playing.
One the second floor is a bar, a massive hall with comfy chairs (pictured here), a large fireplace, and a pool table
On the third floor is a library with reading chairs.

The cabins are cozy and range in size, each with electric heat and a fireplace with plenty of wood to burn. All the cabins reside right on the groomed trails so it is easy to snowshoe or cross country ski over the some 30+ miles of trails sprawling the ranch and into the adjoining national forests.

This is the cabin we stayed in, one of the originals on the property named “Gunsite”, improper spelling left in place.
One of the trails on the ranch snaking through the cabins

The views from the ranch are breathtaking, allowing long vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys. With a variety of trail difficulties, there is something for everyone. One can also rent fat tire snow bikes if that’s your fancy.

One of the longer trails is red dirt trail which meanders up a long valley. We were struck with the countless mountain lion tracks along this trail. One could see where the mountain lion chased a rabbit and was joined at times by coyote, marmot and others using the trail as an animal super highway. Makes one a little nervous skiing by bushes with mountain lion tracks appearing from behind!
There are many outbuildings and old decaying cabins on the trails. Here you see a cabin on the hill that was probably built by a rancher wanting to overlook the valley to observe their cattle grazing below.
Ethan on the Saddleview trail. Alas we had a heavy fog roll in from the valley before we got to the viewpoint, so there was little to see other than the surrounding trees and fog. Still it was beautiful.
Suzie returning from the Saddleback trail.
The sunsets from the ranch are always spectacular

The ranch is family owned for over 30 years. The owners, Lisa and Randy George, and their family are eager to please their guests with fine meals, trail tips, and good conversation. While the stay at the ranch may seem expensive to some, it includes 3 tasty and creative meals a day as well as access to the extensive trails. They have also started doing 6 course dinners a couple times a month for locals and guests who want to stay over one night after filling their stomachs with the fine meal and imbibing in some of the large selection of wines.

With a paleo diet history, the George’s meals where excellent inclusive of home smoked meats and incredibly creative deserts with elaborate presentations!

Entering the rustic lodge one is immediately struck by the plethora of iron brands burned into the wood walls. It took me a day to figure out before asking, but it dawned on me these couldn’t just be brands from surrounding ranches, but instead home made brands signifying the stay of those “dudes” visiting the ranch. With a forge and clever branding iron parts, each family at the end of their summer stay is allowed to create their own brand and sear it into the wall anywhere (and I do mean anywhere) inside. There are brands on the ceiling, steps, walls, and bars everywhere you look!

The “dude” brands
Outside the lodge is a chainsaw hewn welcome bear.
And also an eagle, apparently with holes in the stump to hold a beer or two!

Latigo Ranch is situated between Silverthorne and Steamboat Springs and while it’s about in the middle of nowhere in “Middle Park” Colorado, it is a destination that we will be sure to visit again for the pure relaxation and good times we had there.