September 24-27 and October 1-4

For food lovers, wine lovers, and those of you who simply savor the good life, Smith Fork Ranch "just might be Colorado's most perfect place of all". 

What could be more enjoyable than getting away with friends this fall to a secluded mountain retreat where the chef  prepares special dishes for every meal of your long weekend...  Five-course dinners, a superb wine cellar, and the opportunity to participate in hands-on cooking demonstrations with our extraordinary "farm-to-table" culinary team -- all part of your Thursday to Sunday retreat.

Cuisine using locally grown organic fruits, vegetables, eggs, poultry, meat and game is presented in some of the most spectacular settings at Smith Fork Ranch... a streamside lunch after fly fishing or foraging for wild mushrooms... a horseback ride or hike up to a mountain vista for hors d'oeuvres and wine... dinner near a cozy log fire in the historic Old Elk Lodge... and a wine tasting with one of the region's premiere vintners on the pavilion deck at sunset.

And between breakfast, lunch and dinner, the time is yours to explore all the ranch has to offer. 

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 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 one evening -- and always an attentive, friendly staff.

Come join us and learn the secrets of Smith Fork Ranch's haute western cuisine this fall here in our special corner of the Colorado Rockies, and bring your friends! Your choice of two weekends:  September 24-26 and October 1-3.  Call for reservations: 970-921-3454 or e-mail: Reservations@smithforkranch.com.

Your Culinary Package Includes:

• Welcome basket with culinary treats from the North Fork Valley
• Five-course dinners each evening with suggested wine pairings from SFR's  wine cellar. 
• Cooking demonstrations of the chef's signature deserts or entrees and opportunities for hands-on cooking with the chef and culinary staff
• Gourmet picnic lunches and full  breakfasts.
• Horseback riding and hiking on the ranch and in the surrounding Gunnison National Forest.
• Live music one evening after dinner.
• Breakfast with the Chef Sunday morning before departure.
• 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
• Wine tasting with one of the region's premiere vintners

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.

CULINARY RETREAT RATES:
Three nights/four days, all inclusive:  lodging/meals/activities

NOT INCLUDED IN CULINARY RETREAT PACKAGE RATES:
Off-site adventures**
Alcohol & wine (except wine tasting)
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 CULINARY 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)