Activities

Big Game Hunting, Fly-Fishing, and
Wing Shooting for Starters.

There are many ways to define a perfect fly-fishing or hunting trip.For some, it’s getting away from work or other responsibilities. For others, it’s spending time in a picturesque setting. Add in comfortable accommodations and delicious meals, and you’ve got the entire package, right? Wrong.

You’re here because you’re a discerning sportsman, so the deluxe accommodations and delicious meals are just starters. When you head out to fish or to hunt is where we begin. Welcome to our world.

The ranch property ranges in elevation from 5,000 to 9,200 feet above sea level providing a perfect starting point and diverse covers in which to hunt. From rich valley bottoms covered with grain to wooded hillsides and mountain slopes, we hunt a variety of terrain. Wheat and rye fields create a fertile environment for our birds and the creek bottoms and sagebrush flats supply ample cover.

Because of our setting, we are virtually unaffected by spring runoff in the Rocky Mountains, giving us one of the longest fishing seasons anywhere in Colorado. We fish from late March into November every year. The waters teem with large, strong trout that will satisfy nearly every angler from novice to expert. Browns, rainbows, cutthroats, brooks and cuttbows can turn an ordinary day of fishing into an epic outing.

Theres more to life than
hunting and fishing.

With the size and the scope of the ranch, activities are endless.There is no shortage of fishing, wing shooting, and big game hunting opportunities, but many of our guests enjoy the ranch for other reasons.

Wildlife viewing is always amazing. And the birding is extraordinary.

With a variety of habitats and elevations ranging from 5000 to 9000 ft., the High Lonesome Ranch provides great opportunities to see all kinds of wildlife, including mule deer, elk, bears, eagles, cougars, falcons, songbirds and more. For great detail about birding on the ranch, click on that section above. For some visitors, a drive or a jaunt throughout our property is enough.

Equestrian adventures.

There are miles and miles of trails, perfectly suited to horseback riders of all ages and experiences, and the possibilities vary. To ride while your spouse is pursuing game, we offer guided Western half and full day excursions. Our trip leaders bring Quarter horses and tack, and are thoroughly knowledgeable about local history as well as the regional flora and fauna. If you’ve already got your own horse, bring him along! Keep him in our corral and follow the trails. And if you’d like to spend an entire week on horseback, ride the High Ranch from cabin to cabin. We’ll prepare gourmet meals under the stars, bring along your gear and provisions and redezvous at a camp in the afternoon. After a peaceful night’s rest, we’ll ride again. It goes without saying that we won’t forget the water, oats and hay for your horse, either.

Ecotourism and Science Activities

Some visitors love to get their hands dirty while doing something good for the planet. We have a number of ways guests can contribute to our conservation activities if they want to join the exciting scientific research and ecological restoration efforts on the ranch. Click on the Eco/Science section above for more detail.

Hiking or Mountain Biking anyone?

Our mountain bikers use some of the same trails used by our horseback riders. Want a great work out with a combination of rugged and smooth terrain? We’ve got it here. You’ll get a great workout in a natural setting.

Massage Therapy for rejuvenating
your body.

After your rugged days in the field, how about a relaxing deep tissue or Swedish massage in your room? It’s guaranteed to take away the muscle fatigue.

Were perfect for Rehearsal Dinners.

Why not spend some time before your big day at High Lonesome? We can cater to your entire group, with gourmet meals interspersed with activities if you like. And if you’ve never fished, shot clays, or ridden a horse, no worries. We’ll teach you.

Through our affiliate relationshipsin the valley, we offer many off-property activities.

There’s golfing at The Redlands Golf Course, billed as “like playing golf along the bottom of the Grand Canyon, with a couple of sojourns to the Garden of the Gods thrown in." And there’s Battlement Mesa, ranked as one of the "Best Courses in America You Can Play" by Golf Digest. The routing takes full advantage of its one-of-a-kind setting: a high plains plateau overlooking the Colorado River. Both are available nearby. Whitewater Rafting on the Roaring Fork or the Colorado. Wine Tours are also in the neighborhood. Just a few of the options you can choose.