For honoring that inner cowgirl and savoring the good life with good friends, Smith Fork Ranch "just might be Colorado's most perfect place of all". 

What could be more enjoyable than getting away with girlfriends this fall to a secluded mountain retreat where you are alternately pampered and challenged with four-course dinners, a superb wine cellar, and the opportunity to participate in hands-on equine demonstrations with our extraordinary horse-whisperers-- all part of your Wednesday to Sunday retreat.

Enjoy lunch and cocktail rides, a challenging lesson on our Trail Obstacle Course, or bond with your horse through Equine Massage. Get all the kinks out through Cowgirl Yoga, and then lay your hands on the lines in a harness driving clinic with our team of Belgian draft horses!

Tour the SFR gardens and harvest herbs and vegetables for the evening's fare.

Horseback ride and hike on the endless trails on the ranch and up through golden aspens in the surrounding National Forest.

Borrow a fly rod from our shop and head to the Smith Fork just outside your cabin door or to one of our six  ponds.  September and early October is prime time to fly fish for rainbow and brown trout right here on the ranch.

The neighboring farms, orchards and wineries are open for touring, picking and tasting. 

Some of Colorado's finest artists and craftsmen have their studios, workshops and galleries open and will welcome your visit.

Enjoy the crisp fall weather and scenery with a hike along the rim of the awesome Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park just a half hour from the ranch.

And when you return, there is always cider, tea, hot coffee and fresh-baked cookies waiting for you by the big stone fireplace in Old Elk Lodge.

SFR accommodations are  luxurious in the rustic, western  tradition. Our vintage cabins and Colorado lodge have been carefully restored  with  special touches -- slate-tiled bathrooms, hand made soaps and lotions, and sumptuous robes and down comforters.  Living quarters are furnished with American primitive antiques and furniture, original arts and crafts from the hands of the best western and native American artists of the past eighty years. 

Evenings at Smith Fork Ranch are a special pleasure.  Breathtaking sunsets, sharing your days' adventures after dinner with interesting folks as you sit around the fire in the Lodge. There is music and dancing, rodeos and wagon rides -- and always an attentive, friendly staff.

Come join us and learn the secrets of Smith Fork Ranch's wonderful horses this fall here in our special corner of the Colorado mountains, and bring your friends! September 8-12, 2010: Call for reservations: 970-921-3454 or e-mail: Reservations@smithforkranch.com.

Your Cowgirl Retreat Includes:

• Riding orientation and complimentary lessons to match you with the perfect horse for the week
• Trail rides of varying levels to challenge your ability in the saddle, and introduce you to Colorado's beautiful backcountry
• Clinics on barrel racing, cattle work, and roping in our competition-sized arena
• Gourmet picnic lunches, plated four-course dinners, and full  breakfasts.
• Colorado fly fishing and hiking on the ranch and in the surrounding Gunnison National Forest.
• After dinner activities including campfires, wagon rides, music and dancing.
• A Cowgirl's Rodeo to show off your skills at the end of your horseback riding vacation
• Full use of the Elk lodge for billiards, game room, fly tying table.
• Use of state of the art fly fishing equipment for fly fishing on the ranch
• Participation-based clinics in harness driving, Cowgirl Yoga, and equine massage

Your Accommodations:

Three cabins (occupancy 2 to 4 persons) each with front porch, back deck, gas log stoves for chilly fall evenings, mountain views. Close to hot tub. 

The River Cabin (occupancy 6) :  deck with hot tub, overlooking the Smith Fork River, living room with river rock fireplace, kitchenette/sleeping porch and three master bedrooms, each with private bath -- ideal for  group of friends.

The Guest Lodge (original log ranch house): five bedrooms, each with private bath and mountain views--plus living room with kitchenette and separate sitting room, both with river rock fireplaces; sun porch and wrap around veranda.

COWGIRL RETREAT RATES:
Four nights/four days, all inclusive:  lodging/meals/activities

NOT INCLUDED IN COWGIRL RETREAT PACKAGE RATES:
Off-site adventures**
Alcohol & wine
Massages
Taxes & 15% service charge; Groups 10 or over 18%

**such as white water rafting, guided fly fishing on the Gunnison,  glider rides, bi-plane rides, sporting clays, upland bird hunting, guided vineyard tours.  (ALL OFF-SITE ADVENTURES MUST BE ARRANGED BEFORE ARRIVAL)

PAYMENT AND CANCELLATION POLICY FOR COWGIRL RETREAT:

50% to confirm reservation. Balance of reservation due 30 days prior to arrival.

Due to our intimate size and remote location, cancellations can affect us significantly.  Consequently we adhere to a strict cancellation policy. If for any reason you must cancel your reservation, we will gladly return your funds, less 10% of the total cost of the reservation, if a cancellation is made in writing 30 days or more prior to arrival.  No refund is available for cancellation within 30 days of arrival. 

SMITH FORK RANCH, LUXURY GUEST RANCH, FEATURED IN:
Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report (one of 7 best hideaways in America)
Food & Wine Magazine
Town & country Travel Magazine
*"5280" Denver's Mile High Magazine (Editors' choice for Colorado's Top Weekend Getaway)