review.
Our family, joined by a few close family friends, had a wonderful time at the Lodge during a week-long stay in early August, 2013! We found the property to be as advertised and the owners friendly and helpful. It was plenty clean, welcoming and comfortable for the 18 of us. There was plenty of space in the lodge and comfortable furniture so that people could join groups for chatting or simply go off by one's self to read. The bedrooms were large and the beds very comfortable -- we all slept well in the cool Montana air.
Hiking up the little stream was a treat. Remember to take wading shoes (simple flip-flops will do) since you must cross the stream several times. My wife and I are bird watchers, and we compiled a list of 43 species on our walks up and down the canyon and hikes to the ridges. A family of Say's Phoebes hangs out around the lodge, perching on the wire fences and catching bugs out of the air. The hummer feeder outside the front door was full when we arrived, and a family of feisty Roufus Hummingbirds kept the air nearby full of flying antics and zooming sounds as they vied for a sip. Other notable sightings in and around the ranch included Prairie Falcon, Turkey, Spotted Sandpiper (young), Belted Kingfisher, Hairy Woodpecker, Western Kingbird, Western Wood-pewee, Horned Lark, Violet-green Swallow, Rock Wren, Western Bluebird, Cedar Waxwing, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lazuli Bunting, and Spotted Towhee. While we were bird-watching, others in our group fly-fished with success in the stream.
We noticed ripe chokecherries along the access road, and a party of us picked enough to make and bottle a dozen 8-oz jars of syrup, so each family was able to take a souvenir back home with us.
The ranch cattle also provided entertainment. They spent their days in the stream-bottom, but would gather for a trek past the lodge fence and onto the ridges for the night, the mom's bellowing loudly to gather their calves. This provided a mooing symphony that lasted the better part of an hour each evening.
Did we have a great time? Absolutely! Would we recommend this ranch and lodge to others? Definitely! I'm already looking forward to the next time! read more