The mountain peaks to the Northeast of the Ranch are part of the Continental Divide and consists of the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area with Big and Little Agnes in front of Mt. Zirkel. The long stretch of cliffs to the east of these mountains is called Saw Tooth Ridge.There are many mountain lakes and streams nearby for boating and fishing. Pearl Lake and Steamboat Lake are the largest and most well known. Pearl Lake can be reached by horseback from the Ranch. Both lakes are man made and were developed in the 1960's. The state lottery money goes to the state parks helping to build and maintain both. 
Animals you're likely to see while riding or hiking in the area are: mule deer, elk, grouse, chipmunk, squirrels, golden and bald eagles, blue herons, ducks, geese, red tail hawks, blue birds, stellar jays, marmots, foxes and coyotes. Not as often, but spotted are: black bear, cougar, and lynx. We once spotted a gray timber wolf on the hill behind the Ranch property. And a cow moose once spent an afternoon in the big meadow near the tepees.Red Tail Hawks are commonly seen flying over and around the Ranch. They are easily identified by the red color of their tail. This bird of prey grows 25 inches in length and feeds on rodents and other small vertebrates. The Bald Eagle is much larger and can be identified by its white head and tail feathers. It's wing span is often over 7 feet in width. The Golden Eagle is often larger than the Bald Eagle and is a dark, solid brown in color. 
When the large birds of prey are seen down along the river, it's a good sign that a big storm is on its way, generally within 24 hours. They are much better at predicting the storms than the local meteorologist's! If you see spider webs laid out over the grass in the meadows, this is another sign to announce the arrival of a summer rainstorm.The American elk, called Wapiti by the American Indians, thrives in the local forest. They forage off the grasses, bushes and tree bark. They rub their horns on the trees to prepare for the "rut" removing the soft velvet and sharpening their antlers. This leaves the trees with scars that are used to track the bull elk. The size of the tree used is a general guideline as to the size of the bull elk rubbing on it. Hunting season begins in late August with black powder and bow hunting. Rifle season has four, week long sessions beginning the second week of October and ending in early November. Calving season is late April through mid-June. 
The Colorado State Flower is the Columbine, which is found in shaded areas in the late spring and early summer. Aspen trees are commonly found in the surrounding forest. They have white bark with light green leaves shaped like large coins, sometimes called "money trees". They always grow on south facing slopes. They have a common root system and grow in families. The largest organism is the world is an Aspen grove growing along the Colorado and Utah border. Aspens have very shallow roots and are easily knocked down in heavy wind and rainstorms accounting for much of the dead fall. A white powder covers the bark that the Ute Indians used as an insect repellant and sunscreen. The bark can also be brewed as a tea and used as an anti-inflammatory like aspirin. We say the Aspens are the "eyes of the forest... Tread lightly to meet their approval for passage and you'll hear their applause". The leaves change mid-September, getting bright gold, orange and sometimes a little red.The knarled stocky trees along the switchbacks are called scrub oak. They bloom in late June and have an oak shaped leaf. 
The flowers of Spring and early summer grow prolifically on hillsides and meadows are lupine, avalanche lilies, mule ears, wild geraniums, mouse-ears, blue bells, mountain bells, and hair bells, Indian paint brush, scarlet trumpet, fire weed, mustard flower, lemon cups, seagull lilies, monks hood. Late summer - wild aster, cowboy daisies, Hounds tooth...Rattlesnakes are found in lower elevations (5500), many are living in the lowlands of Elk Mountain (the sleeping giant). Rarely would you see one around here. 
The Elk River fronting the Ranch rises about six feet in the spring and is great for kayaking and rafting (grade 3). By mid-summer it quiets down and provides excellent fishing for German Browns, Cutthroat, Rainbow and Brook Trout. The Elk River carries the highest volume of water flow for its length than any other river west of the Mississippi.We offer a half-mile of private fishing on the North shore of the Elk River only for the guests staying in the cabins. Fishing licenses can be purchased at the Clark Store. We can arrange fishing guides and equipment if requested. We have over 30 horses for pleasure riding and driving. They are all sizes and breeds - the biggest being Flora and Tom, the Belgian Draft horses that weigh 2500 pounds each and our smallest being the Spanish Mustangs (Blackjack, Pal, Cutter, Beauty, Coachees, Poquito, Sanches, and Poncho). We also care for llamas, lambs, pigs, Peking and Mallard ducks, African and Toulouse geese, turkeys, bunnies, chickens, dogs and cats. 
Guests (particularly the children) are encouraged to help with the feeding of the birds and other small animals. However, it is important that they work with a staff member and are taught how to handle the animals so none are unduly stressed. Also please note the male African goose is very protective of his brood. He will bite if he feels threatened so heed his warnings and stay clear... he's just doing his job.
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