RLT #2: Magnificent Three Forks Ranch and Little Snake River

Thinking I was going back in time for my trip through old homestead ranch country along this very remote river valley, I was amazed to stumble on the magnificent Three Forks Ranch!

Photo: Ranching on the Little Snake River of Colorado

As you will see, it is one thing to spend the enormous sums that would be required anywhere to build such a vacation destination. But out here? It was truly remarkable!

________________________

Before taking a closer look, this is a map of the area:

^{Source: Highlighted Google map of area covered in this post}

Here is a brief look at each of the highlight points illustrated above, with links to more information, if you are interested in learning more about it:

The Lodge and Spa at Three Forks Ranch - No, this is not roughing it ... 😉 At least for their $1,995 "starting rate per person per night," (no, that is not a misprint ...) it better not be!

Approximate location of lead photo, with Squaw Mountain in the background.

Ladder Ranch - A guest ranch located at the confluence of Battle Creek and the Little Snake River. It has been in the Salisbury family since it was established in 1881.

^{Battle Creek flows down from the lake, with the Thomas Edison marker, shown in my "Battle Pass Scenic Byway" post.}

________________________

Let's be on our way! 😎

Little Snake River Valley

The Snake River is a famous river with its headwaters in Yellowstone National Park. And it flows out West, where it joins the Columbia and on out to the Pacific Ocean.

But the Little Snake River? No relation ... 😉 As we can see on the map above, after flowing down from the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, it flows along the Wyoming / Colorado border.

________________________

Many times I had crossed this river in Baggs, Wyoming which is downstream from what follows. I was very pleased to finally be able to get some idea of where all that water was coming from!

^{A river runs through it ...}

^{That pretty red metal roof is also very practical, in the winter months!}

^{Growing and properly storing hay is vital to the livestock on these ranches surviving the winter!}

^{Love little bridges like this one! Cattle living the good life!}

^{Ladder Ranch along the banks of Battle Creek, where it runs into the Little Snake River}

Photos: More ranching on the Little Snake River of Colorado

________________________

This was a wonderful trip through this very remote valley in northern Colorado. But ... It was in the Fall, with winter soon approaching. This valley is right at about 7,000 ft (+2,100 m) in elevation.

You do not want to come visit here, in the winter.

^{Unless you are very well prepared and know what you are doing!}

Three Forks Ranch

In my introductory comments, did I mention their $1,995 "starting rate per person per night?" And that it was not a misprint? Yes. Yes, I did ... For starters ...

^{News Flash! IF you "jump on it" right now, in the dead of winter, your companion gets 50% off. NO!
Not you, you still pay full ...}

If you do nothing else, dear reader, click on the hyperlink provided for you and then "Watch Video." That will clear up these exorbitant prices for you. Maybe ....

________________________

Always one to respect boundaries, I was thankful, after getting back home and looking this place up online, that I did not venture onto their property.

The following was the best I could do, from a distance ...

Photos: The spectacular Three Forks Ranch

It certainly provides a good idea of the setting for this amazing place. You cannot go any further up the river valley. It ends here. There are literally three forks here and they each climb very steeply up into much higher country, as they flow down from the the Mt. Zirkel Wilderness.

Closing

^{[RLT #2 in my "Road Less Traveled" series ...]}

For this old "road warrior," days spent driving through country like this pictured above is very hard to beat. I was very grateful to have had the opportunity to experience it. I hope to return to it again some day!

I’d love to hear any feedback you may be inspired to provide.

Until "next time," all the best to you for a better tomorrow, as we all work together to build up our Hive Communities and add increasing value to our Hive blockchain! 👍 😊

Respectfully,
Blogger @roleerob
Hive "Dolphin" 🐬 & Man Cave "Dragon" 🐉

P.S. Unless otherwise noted, all images are pictures taken by my smartphone - a Samsung Galaxy S9+.

________________________

“Immutably enshrined” in the Hive blockchain on Tuesday, 6 February 2024!
^{🌲 No trees were harmed in the publishing of this post! 🌲}

Interested in reading more of my travel-related posts?

	RLT #1: Battle Pass Scenic Byway Beginning of my RLT ("Road Less Traveled") series, as I began writing again on Hive in 2024. An open road. With no one on it. Out in remote portions of the great American West. Hmmm. I wonder what it all means?
	Fond Memories: Return to Spirit West River Lodge A remarkable place. Built by remarkable people. Writing about it resulted in some of my highest rewarded posts, including "Daily Top Payout" on Hive. Don't miss my tribute , in the top comment, to Lynn Finney.
	R2R Travelogue: Recap of "@roleerob's excellent adventure!" In winter ... My R2R series - "Road to Recovery" trip of a lifetime. In 31 days, I drove 4,984 miles through a part of 8 states - Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Unforgettable memories relived and new ones made!