“Team penning cattle and arena games are fun – and important ways for guests to learn more about their horses, proper equitation, how to gain more control and the basic commands,” remarks head wrangler Margot Harter.
“Our experienced wranglers,” Margot says, “can turn a “first timer” into a “fastest timer” during guided lessons, team penning trials, and gymkhana relays on horseback.
“One of the most important practices while riding is the ability to balance in the correct position, and keep that balance, position and control at faster speeds and gaits,” she explains. “Anyone can sit on a horse, but riding a horse takes good balance along with good instruction. Our guests this year were awesome and excelled within a few days of riding.”
“One objective this season,” she explains, “is to add new horses to the herd that have not only a solid trail background but some experience in 4-H, cattle and ranch work, and lesson programs. “The more experienced our horses are in the arena, the easier it will be for our guests to learn the basics of horsemanship.”

Great Getaways for Couples in the Spring and Fall

There is something magical about the changing of seasons here on the western slope of the Rockies, the smell in the air, the movement of the trees, even the animals bustle about with new enthusiasm. This is a special time and place for couples or friends to getaway, even just for a long weekend. With school in session and fewer guests than in the summer months, couples enjoy privacy and a special, intimate experience. Highlights of these two seasons are the famous salmon fly hatch on the Gold Medal Gunnison River in early to mid-June, unparalleled foliage color in the fall, and unbeatable weather. Our Adult Only dates start September 1.

Andy & Alyssa with Otis & Lulu

Hats off to our staff!

Hailing from New York, Virginia, Washington, Texas, and Florida, and our own state of Colorado, each staff member comes to Crawford, Colorado with the same goals at heart: to provide a fantastic experience for guests at Smith Fork Ranch, say Andy & Alyssa Adams, Managers. Our team is an eclectic mix of individuals who combine skills, expertise, passions, dedication, and genuine caring that guests say make them feel like they are home:

• “Perfect setting, perfect staff, perfect experience... not sure where you found these great folks, but we’re so glad you did — everyone is so knowledgeable and so fun.”
  
  
• “We will never forget the amazing views and amazing people you have working here.”

A “GRAND SLAM” IN THE BACKCOUNTRY
The Chance for a Trout Fishing Grand Slam is possible every time you walk or horseback ride in to the backcountry with a fly rod strapped to your pack or tied to your saddle here at Smith Fork Ranch.
A Grand Slam in trout fishing is when you catch at least one each of Colorado’s species of trout in the same day. If you are fishing up in Little Elk Basin on one of our all-day fishing rides, or hiking into the South Fork of the Smith Fork with one of our guides, there is a pretty good chance of hooking up with a rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and Colorado cutthroat trout, all in the same afternoon. Even if you don’t get a grand slam you will have a great experience fishing with one of our guides in the backcountry surrounded by spectacular scenery.

DRY FLY / NATIVE TROUT WEEKEND COMING UP
A Royal Wulff, Elk Hair Caddis, Lime Trude, or a Parachute Adams (locally known as a Lulu), is all you will need on the end of your tippet for the “Dry-Fly-or-Die” Fall season we have here at Smith Fork Ranch. More information to come about our fly fishing weekends planned in September and October, 2008.

Sixth Annual Culinary Weekend Planned for September 11-14, 2008

Celebrating the bountiful harvests from local organic farms and ranches, Smith Fork Ranch hosts a weekend of culinary delights during autumn’s peak in the North Fork Valley, the garden center of Colorado.
Throughout the weekend Chef Bob Isaacson and his staff demonstrate signature dishes from the SFR kitchen and guests are invited to join the staff cooking in the kitchen. (As a special treat at last season’s events, New York food writer and author Eugenia Bone delighted guests with readings from her book At Mesa’s Edge).
Other highlights of the weekend: visits to Orchard Valley Farm for picking fruit and vegetables and cider making, followed by a lunch prepared at streamside; watching elk “bugle” at Mendicant Ridge Elk farm; and lunch on the Smith Fork River. Evening dinners include wine pairings from local wineries and international varietals from the ranch’s extensive wine cellar.

A SPECIAL EVENT FOR EARLY ARRIVALS

This past season, guests who chose to arrive the Sunday before Culinary Weekend were treated to the Annual Farm Dinner, a local event honoring organic farmers and ranchers in the area. Chef Bob and the SFR culinary staff along with other noted Colorado Chefs created a wonderful feast which was served in the fields at one of the farms.
SFR is now accepting reservations for the 2008 Sixth Annual September weekend event and is also offering a full week.

Eeyore’s Trivia Corner …answers found on bottom of this page. 1. Who is the oldest four-legged animal on the ranch? 2. What is the most requested recipe of chef Bob’s? 3. What brand do the horses have that also was the name of the ranch back in the early 1900s? 4. How many 2007 staff members are from, or lived in the state of Virginia? 5. What Native American tribe most recently inhabited the ranch’s surrounding mountains? 6. Who is Eric the Red? 7. What SPF is the white powder from Aspen bark? 8. Which western film character did Margot name her dog, Gus, after? 9. What is the name of the large pyramid shaped mountain east of the Ranch?

“Our Children had a Ball at the Ranch this Summer”

That is the report we hear from parents, says Alyssa Adams, who heads SFR’s Children’s Program — whether it was a morning ride on Black Jack, wading in the creek, storytelling in the tipis, or simply midmorning snacks at the tree house, everyone had fun. “New this year to the children’s program were our two fabulous children’s counselors: Adrienne Lowe and Christine Wakely. These energetic young women led ranch children in pizza topping and play dough making (not at the same time!), in regatta races, tie dyes, cookouts, and nature hikes galore! The fun continues next summer with even more — western crafts, panning for gold, and of course the ranch favorite: pony rides,” says Alyssa, a former kid’s camp director.

Smith Fork Ranch is a special place for families — with a safe, natural setting for kids of all ages to explore and experience the West. Staff members guide, supervise and encourage youths to run, play, learn, and enjoy their time here. Each day, there are opportunities available to be together with family, to spend time with a spouse or friend, and/or have quiet time alone to reflect or relax.
“Our exceptional staff, intimate size, and unique activity schedule allows for a truly specialized vacation — one that photo albums can’t come close to recounting,” notes Alyssa. “Many people come to Smith Fork Ranch from a busy, often hectic world. Here, tucked miles away from traffic and city lights, kids can howl with the coyotes, roast marshmallows around the fire and just relax with the rhythms of the wild.”

Margot Harter, Head Wrangler

Spirited women from all over the country came to Smith Fork Ranch in late September to experience the West and the “cowgirl life.”
”The weather was perfect and the fall colors astounding as the cowgirls had a blast trail riding in the backcountry, practicing roping, team penning cattle, horse care and handling,” reports Margot Harter. Along with learning the ropes at the barn, the cowgirls were treated to Chef Bob’s fabulous cuisine, indulged in massages, participated in fly fishing and archery, and had a rip-roaring good time at the local Mountain Harvest Festival. There was lots of story telling and laughter shared during four active days and nights with wranglers Margot, Alex, D.D., and Mary.
Due to the overwhelming response, SFR plans to extend this “woman’s only” event an additional day in 2008. Next fall’s Cowgirl Retreat is scheduled for September 23-28. Call Margot with any questions.

Hands-down the most exciting “field-trip” from SFR is rafting on the Gunnison River. Few people know of our local secret treasure — the Black Canyon. With walls that soar 3,000 feet high straight from the water’s edge, the Black Canyon is truly a spectacular natural wonder. The full-day raft trip includes an early rise, a long winding access up to the edge of the gorge then down to the river, and lunch on the sandy shore. Anglers will have a chance to fish for fat brown and rainbow trout in the flashy green waters, while others choose to enjoy a dip in the cool water.
There is also a half-day option further downstream on the Gunnison that is fun for the younger or older crowd who prefer less excitement. River otters, herons, eagles (and great fishing) can be found here as boaters drift past towering rock formations and orchards…yet another surprise of our beautiful North Fork Valley. Great peaches grow here in this part of Colorado.
And for our guests who prefer to explore the Black Canyon on land, there are hikes and a driving tour at the rim of the canyon, from which you can gaze down at the winding water and watch the birds dance in the air currents warmed from giant rock walls. A spectacular series of vistas are found here at this little-known National Park as well as a nice picnic area to enjoy our kitchen’s elegant picnic baskets.

Just a Winged Reminder…

SFR offers Upland bird hunting starting next September, or a combo of fly fishing and bird hunting is possible. Call for more information.

New Voices on the Phone

When you call for reservations, chances are you will speak to Candy Nyholm, our Head Housekeeper, or Lisa Cardella, whom you met last summer in the Dinner Bell and has recently been named Head of Dining. Both of these versatile staffers are helping out in the office this winter. 970-921-3454

Wrangle up Your Vote for… Horse of the Year! __UTE: a 25-year-old Sorrel, Mustang gelding. Ute has been with the Ranch since the beginning, and is most known for his amazing tender love and care towards Children __CANDY: Candy is a 14-year-old palomino Quarter Horse mare. Candy (affectionately known around the barn as “Malibu Barbi”) is sweet and willing, a star in the arena, and easy on the eyes to boot! __PREACHER: Preacher is a handsome 15-year-old grey Appendix Quarter Horse gelding. Preacher is as sure footed as they come and always pleasant to be around, and he takes great pride in his job. Check your favorite and mail to: Margot Harter, Smith Fork Ranch, PO Box 401, Crawford, CO 81415

Archery Hits a Bullseye

The popularity of the SFR Archery program reached new heights this summer with brothers competing against sisters, mothers against fathers, even sis showing dad a thing or two she learned at camp. With the heat from the competition still lingering down by the river, we are planning to expand — adding another archery range on the south side of the Smith Fork. We are aiming to have another walking course complete with tree stands and even 3D targets for 2008 season, says Guide Ben Walsmith.

Second Creek Ponds Renovations

The Second Creek Ponds Renovation Project is well underway this fall. The vegetation is coming back, the waterfall is flowing, and the fish are settling in to their new and improved habitat. “Indications are that the trout approve of the improvements we made to the spawning areas in the ponds,” says Andy Adams, General Manager. “Guests can expect a bumper crop of new trout to be ready and waiting to put a bend in our top-of-the-line Sage fly rods next season.”