The Elk River Guest Ranch consists of 38 private acres including a half-mile of the upper Elk River. The horseback trails lead into the Routt National Forest by way of Seed House Ranch which is a residential development that was originally raw land and part of the Elk River Guest Ranch. The land behind the Elk River Guest Ranch is approximately 9.5 million acres of the Medicine Bow & Routt National Forest.
The Ranch's elevation is 7,205 feet rising quickly to 8,600 feet along the ridge of Zirkel View Trail overlooking the Ranch and the Continental Divide. Our average snowfall is 350 inches per year. The mountains in view to the East are part of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area: Little Agnes on the left, Big Agnes on the right, and Mount Zirkel is the smaller craggy mountain in the middle. Mount Zirkel is actually the largest of the three rising to 12,180 feet. To the right of Big Agnes is Saw Tooth Ridge--this range is part of the Continental Divide.
The ranch was homesteaded in 1902 and used for a summer base camp for miners. The main house was a mining lodge in the early days when they were looking for gold, silver and precious jewels. There are still gold, rubies and diamonds found in the local rivers and hills. After it was determined that cattle and sheep ranching were more profitable than mining however, the ranch was used as a family retreat by the original homesteaders.
By the early 1950's, when leisure travel became more common for more people, the ranch was sold and established as the Elk River Guest Ranch. Since that time guests from all over the world have been enjoying this year-round mountain paradise.
The Elk River Guest Ranch has been the oldest operating guest ranch in North Routt County up till now and we are now proud to offer it to you in a fabulous unpackaged pick your own experience of this long time legacy property at the end of the road and the beginning of adventure.
If you're looking for an intimate setting for your next Colorado ranch vacation where you can relax, unwind, and take advantage of any or all of the activities surrounding us then you've found the right place. We aim to provide a special setting in the mountains where you have excellent adventure opportunities right out our back door. Literally! After visiting our website please feel free to contact us for more information on rates for cabin rentals and activities in the area. We LOVE to share our experience while providing you with more than you expected. Come visit! Make it yours.
The Ranch's elevation is 7,205 feet rising quickly to 8,600 feet along the ridge of Zirkel View Trail overlooking the Ranch and the Continental Divide. Our average snowfall is 350 inches per year. The mountains in view to the East are part of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness Area: Little Agnes on the left, Big Agnes on the right, and Mount Zirkel is the smaller craggy mountain in the middle. Mount Zirkel is actually the largest of the three rising to 12,180 feet. To the right of Big Agnes is Saw Tooth Ridge--this range is part of the Continental Divide.
The ranch was homesteaded in 1902 and used for a summer base camp for miners. The main house was a mining lodge in the early days when they were looking for gold, silver and precious jewels. There are still gold, rubies and diamonds found in the local rivers and hills. After it was determined that cattle and sheep ranching were more profitable than mining however, the ranch was used as a family retreat by the original homesteaders.
By the early 1950's, when leisure travel became more common for more people, the ranch was sold and established as the Elk River Guest Ranch. Since that time guests from all over the world have been enjoying this year-round mountain paradise.
The Elk River Guest Ranch has been the oldest operating guest ranch in North Routt County up till now and we are now proud to offer it to you in a fabulous unpackaged pick your own experience of this long time legacy property at the end of the road and the beginning of adventure.
If you're looking for an intimate setting for your next Colorado ranch vacation where you can relax, unwind, and take advantage of any or all of the activities surrounding us then you've found the right place. We aim to provide a special setting in the mountains where you have excellent adventure opportunities right out our back door. Literally! After visiting our website please feel free to contact us for more information on rates for cabin rentals and activities in the area. We LOVE to share our experience while providing you with more than you expected. Come visit! Make it yours.
The house at Pearl Lake
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The Pearl Hartt Lodge made the move to Elk River Guest Ranch in 2002
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March of 2015, renovations almost complete
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The ranch in recent past has gone through a series of owners. Bill and Kathy Hinder were among the longest-running ranch owners and put Elk River Guest Ranch on the map with horseback riding, pack trips, sleigh rides and more. The video (see above) was posted in 2009 and gives an idea of the activities and experience offered at the ranch under the Hinder ownership.
For a few years the ranch was owned by Josh and Susan Boles who sold to own and operate the Twisted Trails Running Store in Steamboat Springs.
In 2014 the ranch was sold to Bex and Scott Dammon who operated the ranch as a Colorado dude ranch in the summer months and offered week-long, all-inclusive stays. Their goal was to provide the guest with a western adventure experience while getting visitors out into the beautiful Medicine Bow & Routt National Forest. Their hearts in the summer revolved around horses, with a great mixture of trail riding, arena instruction and horse activities.
Current Ownership and Ranch Focus
in March of 2019, the Smith family decided that North Routt was a place for the family to spend more time. The Elk River Guest Ranch offered so many of the things that they loved to do themselves. With a lifetime background in guiding others to enjoy skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, horseback riding, biking, hiking, flyfishing. If you're looking for an intimate setting for your next Colorado ranch vacation where you can relax, unwind, and take advantage of any or all of the activities surrounding us then you've found the right place. We aim to provide a special setting in the mountain where you have opportunities to hike, mountain bike, fish, ride horses, kayak, and raft right out our back door. Literally! After visiting our website please feel free to contact us for more information on rates for cabin rentals and activities in the area.
Note: We have been licensed with Routt County with a special use permit for our cabins under permit #PL-20-177
