Sitting at 8,900+ feet above sea level, Ute Trail River Ranch is surrounded
by the Pike National Forest
at the
western edge of the Lost Creek Wilderness. The
red crags and forests of the spectacular Tarryall Mountains provide an awe-inspiring setting for the Ranch with unmatched
mountain views.
The Ranch offers excellent outdoor
opportunities from outstanding fly fishing just
steps away from
your cabin door to invigorating hiking
on the Ranch's own 70+ acres and on
up into the exceptional Lost Creek Wilderness.
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Private fly fishing access
on nearly two miles of private, pristine,
alpine waters of the winding Tarryall River is available
to cabin guests for an additional
fee and by advance reservation.
The
number of anglers is limited in order to provide an
exceptional fly fishing experience for everyone.
Angling access is not included
in your overnight lodging reservation.
Please call us (719.748.3015) for details on river
access prices and availability.
Anglers have two options when choosing where to fish on the Ranch.
Option # 1 is the "Cross Hill" section that starts at our footbridge and meanders
upstream for 1 full mile to the
Ranch's boundary fence.
This
section is quite diverse and offers a little bit of everything: fast riffles below
the waters cascading through the beaver dam;
slow, deep pools behind the dam; deeper
undercut banks upstream;
and,
shallow water rolling over gravel bars.
Option # 2 is the "Ute Creek" section which offers just
short of one mile of
meandering
cobbled stream punctuated by riffles with pocket water,
deep pools through a small canyon and another substantial beaver dam before
reaching the livestock bridge at the Ranch's lower property boundary.
Angling on
the Ranch's private water is exclusively Fly
Fishing (with fly rods & reels)
and is strictly Catch &
Release. We encourage the use of barbless hooks as well.
If you do not have fly fishing gear, we offer fine gear (fly
rods, reels and hip boots)
for
rent and use on our property for a modest
daily fee.
If hiking is part of your agenda, the Ranch offers over 2 miles of private
trails through its 70+ acres. USFS
Trail #629 (aka Ute Creek Trail) is easily
accessed directly from the
Ranch and takes hikers
into the Lost Creek Wilderness on uncrowded,
forested trails.
The
Ute Creek Trail to Bison Peak Has a "difficult" rating by the USFS
because it takes you up to 12,400' in a brief 4.5 mile trek.
That's a lot of altitude gain!
The trail offers breathtaking views
of South Park and surrounding mountain ranges from on high.
Wildlife encounters (elk, deer, big horn sheep, red tail hawks, eagles, great
horned owls, coyotes, black bears, mountain lions, bobcats,
etc.)
are not
uncommon, so be sure to take your camera.
Birders are discovering that the Tarryall River Valley is a migratory mecca
for many birds species. The list of sightings grows each year.
Ute Trail River Ranch is in a
perfect location from which to observe
many different varieties as they move through
the region.
Throughout
the summer, the Ranch is home to literally dozens upon dozens
of hummingbirds (including broadtails, black-chinned, calliopes & rufous).
Annually, we exceed 200+ lbs. of sugar used to make the nectar to feed all
these
summertime
residents. It is almost a full-time job keeping the feeders filled!
Star-gazers gather at Ute Trail River Ranch and the
surrounding area to experience
dark night skies overflowing with stars, planets and meteor showers.
We can still see the Milky Way up here!!
Wintertime brings ice skating on the frozen
river, cross-country skiing on freshly
fallen snow, sledding down rolling hills and snowshoeing
up the hiking trails.
The crackle of a campfire warms the heart and soul on cool evenings and
provides a great place to share fish tales and other experiences!
