Zephyr Lodge Condo -- Area Information

INTRODUCTION
A Rocky Mountain trail ride can be the highlight of your mountain vacation.  To the creak of the leather saddle and the snort of your sturdy horse you feel that you've stepped back in time to a lazy day exploring high ridges, mountain valleys, and cascading creeks.  A trail ride is a unique experience and one that family members of almost all ages can enjoy together.

Grand County has a number of outfitters who can provide a variety of experiences.  Choose from breakfast rides, evening steak fry rides, or one hour or two hour trail rides.   Consider a fishing trip or a drop off overnight camping trip.  The flexibility of most outfitters is amazing -- including careful matching of horse to rider.    Groups of any size can be accommodated with sufficient notice.

The guides are part of the fun and safety of horseback riding in the mountains.  They have acquired extensive knowledge about the flowers, trees, and wildlife encountered along the way.  They also have bountiful tales of the Old West -- and the New West.

Even Greenhorns on the horseback can learn to appreciate the agility and skill of a horse on the trail.   And horseback is a wonderfully relaxing way to take in the mountain scenery.

 Devils Thumb Ranch is accessed by turning right [east] of Hwy 40 just 2.5 miles north of Fraser [right before the highway makes a sweeping bend to the left].  Follow the signs.  Total driving time from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge is 20 minutes.
 

Dinner at the Barn Mountain Ranch BBQ
970-726-4923 [local]
 

Grand Adventures
970-726-9247 [local]  800-726-9247 [toll free]
www.grandadventures.com
One and two hour trails rides are most popular.   There are specially trained horses for younger kids.  A hay wagon ride is a memorable alternative.  The trails used by Grand Adventures are in native lodgepole pine forest punctuated by small meadows and criss-crossed by smart mountain streams.   Minimum age for children is 8 years.  Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. 

Grand Adventures is located at Beaver Village on the right [east] side of Hwy 40 just as you enter the town of Winter Park.  Total driving time from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge is 5 minutes.
 

Monarch Stables
970-726-5376 [local]
Giddyup Pardner and get ready for an experience -- Cowboy Style.  One and Two hour rides traverse through forest and open meadows.  All day rides venture into the Strawberry Creek area of the Arapahoe National Forrest with views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness and the Fraser Valley.  Breakfast rides hit the trail at 8:00 am.  Dinner rides fill you up on mouth waterin' buffalo/salmon/chicken plus beans/potato salad and cobbler/s'mores/campfire coffee.  Call for reservations for dinner and breakfast rides. 

Monarch Stables are northwest of Fraser off CR5 -- about 15 minutes from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge.  CR5 is a left turn .9 miles north of the Safeway intersection in Fraser.

Sombrero Ranches
970-627-3514 [long dx]
www.sombrero.com
At Sombrero, you can choose from a variety of offerings. 
--90 Minute Trail Rides [depart every hour]
--2 hour rides [departing as early as 8:30]
--Fishing Trips
--All Day specially guided rides
--Breakfast Ride [7:00am and crisp mountain air]
--Dinner Rides [ride, steaks, coffee by a campfire]
--Some ride into Rocky Mountain National Park
--Excellent with beginners and families
--Extreme Rocky Mountain Adventure to the Divide
All take place on miles of scenic trails completely free from roads and traffic.  All rides are in the Grand Lake & Rocky Mountain Park region which has a different character than Winter Park.  Reservations are needed for all food rides. 

Sombrero Stables are about 45 minutes from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge
 

Rusty Spurr Ranch
970-724-1123 [long dx]
Experience a real cattle drive.  The Rusty Spurr Ranch will let you take part in moving a herd of cattle.  Trail rides and Dinner/Lunch rides are also available.  Located south of Kremmling on CO 9, about 60 minutes

The Stables
970-887-0234 [local]
Serving the Sol Vista Ski Area -- 25 minutes from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge.

Winding River Ranch
970-627-3251 [long dx]
Just outside Grand Lake -- 45 minutes from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge.