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~ General Information ~

What We’re About – Summer 2006

We limit ourselves to 12 guests at any one time. Though the spectacular scenery has not changed over the years, we are closer in style to the old-time guest ranches of the 20’s and 30’s than to the resort ranches of Jackson Hole today. If you enjoy nature both as a scenic backdrop and by getting out into it, you will probably like what we have to offer.

Our location along the Upper Gros Ventre River with limited access over a long dirt road makes it impractical to use the Ranch as headquarters for day excursions to Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Parks. Plan to take your road trips in the area before or after you visit us. There is plenty to see and do on foot or on horseback around the Ranch to keep you busy during your stay.

PLEASE NOTE:
Many of the outdoor activities available at the Darwin Ranch are to some degree inherently dangerous. Guests are required to sign Acknowledgement of Risk & Liability Waivers for riding.

THE SEASONS

Spring comes to our valley around the beginning of June and continues up the mountains just behind the receding snow line. It is accompanied by an extraordinary display of wild flowers and animal life. The birds seem most numerous and active in June, while the flowers reach their height around the Ranch throughout July. Game animals are an integral part of the scene the entire summer.

Late August and September bring cold nights and brilliant, warm, bug-free days. Fishing continues to be good with the lowered water levels. The aspen trees start to turn sometime during the first week in September and generally stay spectacular for two or three weeks.

RIDING

There is a guided ride – from a couple of hours to all-day – going somewhere in the surrounding mountains every day. For beginners we have a number of extremely placid, easy-going horses and can teach you in a day or two to get around more or less comfortably with everyone else.

The Darwin Ranch is relatively unique in offering unguided riding, but this is a privilege that must be earned and maintained. Riders we judge to be sufficiently experienced may ride without a guide once they have been on guided trips for at least 4 days and have demonstrated their competence.

All riders are required to sign a combined Acknowledgement of Risk & Liability Waiver and guests desiring unguided rides must sign an additional waiver when this right is earned.

HIKING

All manner of hikes are possible from the Ranch. These range from simple sojourns across the Ranch meadow to ambling along one of the countless wilderness trails. Attractive combinations of horseback riding and hiking can be worked out with our guides. There are also simple routes up nearly all the peaks and several very pleasant ascents can be made in a single day from the Ranch without much difficulty. And of course, there are always the usual opportunities for backpacking off the trails in the high country.

FISHING

There is excellent trout fishing along the rivers, lakes, and streams comprising the two major drainages of the Gros Ventre Wilderness that converge near the Ranch. Due to our conservation practices, these waters, even just outside the lodge, continue to yield good Snake River Cutthroat and some Brook Trout, along with numerous Rocky Mountain Whitefish. The fishing habits in the vicinity are freestone rivers, and range from rocky pools with deep holding water, to tantalizing undercut banks, to exciting fast riffles, to challenging flat water.

WILDERNESS CAMPING

The Ranch offers a couple of options for those desiring greater immersion in the wilderness. One is to hike to our permanent camp at Upper Falls where a wrangler/cook will meet you at the end of the day to make you comfortable and cook your meals. Large tents with cots and foam mattresses, and a heated cook tent with chairs and a dining table, help make these wilderness accommodations unusually plush. We do not provide riding horses or guide services at the Upper Camp.

Another option is a horse pack trip, in which a wrangler will guide you to any of the countless high country venues. There, a cook will provide delicious meals and you’ll be sleeping in comfortable tents. Fishing in one of the lakes or day trips by horse or foot are featured. Our minimum length pack trip is two nights.

Wilderness camping is offered to all parties, whether they’re staying at the Ranch or not. Either way, we need a party of at least two to make this work. Further, there is a two night minimum for parties not booked at the Ranch. Please inquire as to rates and availability, doing so at the time of your reservation if you’re a Ranch guest.

COMMUNICATIONS

Mail is picked up once a week when we send our truck to town for supplies. There is a single telephone (enabled by radio) available to guests. Some Internet access is also available. Because we are in our own private valley, cell phones (and TV’s and FM radios) do not work at all.

TRANSPORTATION

The Ranch is commonly accessed directly by dirt road from Dubois or Pinedale. While unimproved, these dirt roads are negotiable by conventional passenger car. Some guests elect to drive their own cars, while others arrange to fly in to Jackson or Salt Lake City and rent cars. Taxi service can also be arranged from Jackson. Because of prevailing car rental and air ticket rates, renting a car in Salt Lake City and driving is considerably cheaper than flying to Jackson and driving from there. The drive from Salt Lake City is about 285 miles and takes about 5 hours; from Jackson it’s about 100 miles and takes about 2 ½ hours.