New Look

Our pool has received a makeover at the beginning of this summer. We now have a fence around the pool, more landscaping and a few more final touches are in the works. The fence along the river isn't quite complete yet but will be soon. It will have railing like the new bridge so that everyone can still view and enjoy the sight and sound of the river. New gates were also installed that were custom made with our Bar Double Heart Bar brand within the railing. Check out the cool pictures.

Horses are now getting pastured outside the pool and will greet you as you head that way. Be sure to give them some tender, loving care on your way to take a dip. :) We hope you'll be able to enjoy the new & improved pool at North Fork Ranch this summer.

Here We Go!!!

We are finishing up our second week of dude season here at the ranch and what a start we've had!! We've met so many new wonderful guests already and have enjoyed some fantastic returns as well. Great people and lasting memories for all. It's crazy that it's the middle of June already and we look forward to meeting everyone that will be here this summer. Please enjoy this photo of our 2011 Staff with some familiar faces as well as many new ones. Everyone is doing a great job!

Summer Vacation!!

There's a certain feel in the air right now at the ranch........excitement and anticipation. New staff have arrived, as well as some of our fantastic returns, the grass has been cut, the horses have arrived and are anxious to get out on the trail, the river is full of feisty fish and the mountain air is as clean and crisp as ever. We have been quite busy this spring with meeting groups and fisherman and are excited to get our summer vacation guests here on the ranch as well.

Our 26th Dude Season officially begins this Saturday!! We hope you'll be able to join us and experience our special place.

We had our first big group this last weekend to officially kick off spring. We have been feeding fisherman for quite a while now, but the Colorado Women's Fly Fishing Club was our first "big" group of the season. They join us every spring and fall to enjoy some instructional fly fishing classes as well as gain more experience on the river. They are always a delight to have around.

We are finishing up our last building and round of deep cleaning to prepare for more incoming groups this next week. The lodge and the cabins are all ready to go and we are now finishing up Stonehenge.

As North Fork's 26th dude season is only a few weeks away, I thought it would be appropriate to show a few more famous faces here on the ranch.

Many of you may have ridden or your children have rode this beautiful girl, Ginger. She is a terrific kids horse who loves some tender, loving care from the young ones. She's a beautiful horse that has three different colors throughout her tail.

And this amazing girl might be the most famous of all. Jezebel is Dean's mule. He's had her since she was a baby and he is quite fond of her. She's getting a little gray under the chin these days but still loves to go out on the trail. She does not like to not be included in the dude program and isn't afraid to let you know where she's suppose to be and when. She knows the trails better than anyone. Many of you may have also heard her in the evenings as she hollers from the lower pen letting the wranglers know it's time to get fed. :) She's a gentle soul with a heart of gold.

We look forward to having you with us this summer to experience a true vacation full of beautiful scenery, great activities and more importantly, memories forever.

Wilderness Pack Trip!

We are offering something new and exciting this year at the ranch. A real wilderness pack trip! It's more than just an overnight trip like in the past. You will find yourself enjoying nature first hand for many nights in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Views you have never seen before or imagined! Here are the details:

"Looking for the adventure of a lifetime? Something unlike what you have ever done before? A Colorado Wilderness Pack Trip is waiting for you! A five day, four night, back country, horseback, wilderness camping trip at 10,000 ft. Fill your leisure days with fishing in alpine streams, hiking nearby peaks and horseback riding. Explore Craig Park in the Lost Creek Wilderness Area as only a few have been able to do. Enjoy the open space, fresh air, ultimate peace & serenity of getting away from it all! A guide and camp host will care for your every need and safety. This exciting adventure is for one family or possibly two couples and only offered three different weeks: July 2nd, July 9th and July 16th, 2011. Contact us for more exciting details."

The Three Amigo's!!

These three horses are some of the most loved & well known horses on the ranch. They are also some of the hardest working and have been for a long time. They are slowing down in their old age, but still love to come to the ranch and take our younger guests out on the trail. They each have their own special personalities but are as gentle as can be. They love to greet us every morning at the gate down at long meadow in the winter time and are excited to escort us down in the truck to their grain bins. It's brings a smile to your face every morning to see the three of them greeting us. :)

Bailey. This cute girl has been working hard at the ranch for many, many years. She loves her treats and loves to get personal affection from her riders. The cutest thing about Bailey....is her ears. Instead of holding her ears up and perky like most horses, she always has them out to the side. Does it get any cuter?

Idaho. This handsome man is an Appaloosa and has wonderful coloring. He is extremely sweet and loves to take care of our younger riders every summer. Idaho is "the man in charge" in winter pasture and the other two horses he lives with highly respect him. :) He has a very soft winter coat right now and loves to get a nice pat on the back for a job well done.

Jake may be one of our smaller horses, but has the biggest heart. This furry guy is very sweet and gentle and loves to work hard. He is very patient and always takes extra special care of his riders. He might be hard to recognize in the winter time because he gets quite a shaggy, furry coat, but we think he's cuter than ever! :)

Lions, Tigers and Bears. Oh my!

Well, maybe not the tigers, but we do have lions here in Colorado....mountain lions that is. And of course bears. These powerful animals do not like to be seen just as much as we do not like to have encounters with them. They prefer not to be in the spotlight which I think is a mutual feeling with humans. :) The bears are most likely beginning to (if not already have) left hibernation and will begin looking for food to satisfy their empty bellies. Attached is a picture from a bear we had visit the Homestead Cabin last spring (please also see the blog post from May 15, 2010). Also, here are some neat mountain lion tracks recently seen in the mud. The picture isn't great as it was taken with a cell phone and the print looks small but trust me, it's big enough to make you nervous!! :) The print is a little smaller than a woman's hand. Not a big lion, but not a small one either. :) Sorry about the quality of the photos.