Endless Fun in the Sun

Start your Old West experience right! Arrive after 2:00 p.m. but before 6:00, and the wranglers will meet you on your way in. A ranch hand will take your luggage to your cabin and park your car. Then while mom and dad unpack, the kids can have an ice cream cone and try their hands at fishing in addition to exploring the ranch. Gather at the Historic Log Lodge at 6:00 for The Rendezvous, where you'll enjoy hors d’oeurves and meet other guests and the owners. Your sumptuous dinnner will be served at 6:30. After dinner, you'll meet Randy in the Social Club for an orientation to the week’s activities.

Get ready to tie into some of the rainbow trout in the pond this week by meeting one of us for an early morning flyfishing lesson. Sip some hot coffee and soak in the view as you learn. Or take a short guided hike. Then enjoy breakfast any time from 7:30 to 8:45. Meet the wranglers at the barn at 9:00. Get your gear ready, stretch for the ride, and take a seat while we guide you through some horsemanship skills.

The kids will meet their wrangler for the week and get an orientation more appropriate for their age. After the orientation, you’ll meet your horse, mount up, and head out for a short ride where you'll work out the kinks and make sure you and your steed are working together.

Gather for lunch at 12:30 and listen to your kids’ bubbling excitement about their first ride. Back at the barn at 2:00. Take the ride that is best for you - walk, walk-trot, or walk-trot-lope. Return to the ranch in time to clean up, relax and get to dinner at 6:30.

After dinner join your kids and try your hand at some cowboy crafts, like roping and whipcracking. Remember, it’s good for them to see you laughing as you struggle to learn something new.

Each morning you can enjoy the early morning beauty of Latigo on a pre-breakfast guided hike. After an extended morning ride meet the staff and owners for the lunch cookout. Grilled hamburgers, buffalo burgers, veggie burgers, brats, hotdogs, portabella mushrooms and Lisa’s incredible toffee apple dip. Following lunch you can meet Lisa for a history hike or join your kids for fishing, swimming, or a game of pool. There will then be opportunity to practice your marksmanship with .22 rifles and BB guns. We’ll have an early dinner Tuesday and meet you at the barn for a sunset ride.

Riding options galore! Some of you may choose the all-day Vistas Ride, and some morning and afternoon rides as usual. In the evening, you can play games with your kids or the option to fish or read a book is always there. Gather around the fire pit and savor the evening togther.

Join us at the barn to ride out to Breakfast Overlook with its spectacular panorama of the vast Middle Park Valley and Continental Divide. After breakfast there, you can ride directly back to the Ranch, or you can take a longer ride, getting back in time for lunch. Afternoon rides are available as usual. Learn some line-dancing after dinner in the Social Club. Also, instead of riding on Thursday afternoon, you can participate in a rock climbing class or try your hand at shotgun shooting at thrown clay targets.

If you choose to go river rafting, pack up a sack lunch at breakfast and leave the Ranch by 8:00 to meet the River Outfitters in Kremmling. Or you can stay at the Ranch and head out with the wranglers after breakfast to round up the cattle and drive them back to the barn. A regular morning ride is also an option. At 2:30, after the river rafters have returned, meet us at the corrals to form your teams for cattle team penning. Everyone, even the 3-5 year olds, participates and has a great time. 

For supper, meet the covered wagon for a ride to Aspen Grove, where we'll grill steaks, fish, veggies, and offer a buffet of amaziing sides. Finally, leave your mark on Latigo. Following supper return to the Ranch to put your own family-designed brand on the lodge. While you’re at it, get your boots, hat, or belt branded to remind you of the incredible scenery, horses, staff and fun you had at Latigo.

Meet at the Barn for coffee, juice, and muffins. Then take your last ride of the week. This is followed by brunch at 11 AM. Then, before you head down the road, say good-bye to all of the new friends you met this week.