Colorado Horseback Riding and Hiking

Welcome to Colorado! Fly into the Denver International Airport by 12PM to make it in time for the group's 1PM meeting and group shuttle to Sylvan Dale Ranch. If you are driving, you can meet us at the ranch at 4PM.

Kick back and settle in! Sylvan Dale Ranch has been an authentic working dude ranch since 1946. If these walls could talk, they'd spin yarn about a young college student named Maurice Jessup, who hitchhiked from Oklahoma to Colorado to work at a youth camp. Jessup arrived at the camp with a dream in his head and love in his heart, and he told the Camp Director that summer of 1934 that he would someday own Sylvan Dale. While some cowboy dreams fade into the sunset, this one was buoyed by determination and patience when 12 years later Jessup got special permission to take a break from his busy work at the Army Air Corps to bid on the property. Maurice and his wife Tillie purchased the 125 acre run-down property and slowly and tirelessly turned it into the incredible 3,200 acre guest ranch it is today. We'll have an orientation before sharing our first of many delicious meals together! (D)

On our first full day of the ranch we'll have a morning walking tour to get familiar with the grounds before splitting up into riding and hiking groups. Remember - this is your vacation and you can spend it how you choose! If you'd like to horseback ride every day, you can! If you'd like to alternate horseback riding with other activities (examples: pickleball, reading by the river, guided stretching, hiking), you can! Your AGC guides are here to make sure you have a wonderful time, no matter what you choose to do today and every day.

Sylvan Dale translates to "wooded valley" and has acre upon acre of pristine wildlife habitat areas, interspersed with Roosevelt National Forest lands. The main grounds, where the cabins and central lodge are located, are considered an 'ecological transition zone' that includes the Big Thompson River, native prairie grasslands and wetlands, foothills shrubland, and ponderosa pine forest. 70% of the ranch is under 'conservation easement' providing a legacy of preservation for creatures great and small. Animals that have been spotted with Sylvan Dale Ranch's wildlife camera up Sulzer Gulch include: bighorn sheep, mule deer, black bears, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions and coyotes. (B, L, D)

Another day in Colorado's gorgeous foothills and another day to choose how you spend your vacation. Whether you're more into long trail rides or simply interacting with your horse while tacking and grooming, there is a place for you.

While you're enjoying the scenery from astride your horse, don't forget to look up to see the incredible bird life on the ranch. 25 diverse duck species could entertain you for hours while lounging by the river! Or you could bring along some binoculars to help you spot along your hike: Ring-necked Pheasant, Blue Grouse, Wild Turkeys, Bobwhite Quails, Common Loons, American White Pelican, Snowy Egret, White-faced Ibis, 9 kinds of hawks, Golden Eagle and Osprey (to name a few...). (B, L, D)

We just told you to look up, now it's time to look down (or all around, really) to see the incredible geology! The ranch sits at the convergence of the Rocky Mountains and the plains where a host of fascinating geological formations will keep you entertained and pondering nature. Gravel here dates back to the last Ice Age and granite found nearby on Alexander Mountain dates back 1.8 billion years! Doesn't that make you feel young again? While exploring the ranch, you will see what are known as igneous intrusions, or rocky outcroppings that have been formed by the crystallization of magma slowly cooling below the earth's surface. Rock hunters should be on the lookout for quartz and feldspar among other fascinating specimens. Today and every day, you'll get a chance to stretch your legs, explore and enjoy! (B, L, D)

On our last full day at Sylvan Dale, we'll get to spend more time doing all the fun things that have occupied the week so far. If you haven't yet, now's your time for a pickleball game, a dip in the pool, some yoga by the river or more horseback riding! (B, L, D)

In the blink of an eye our week has come to a close. After a full week of wonderful fun with new friends (both 2 legged and 4 legged), we will pack up and head home. If you are flying today, you can plan your flight home from the Denver International Airport for anytime after 2PM. If you are driving, you can plan to leave the ranch at 10AM. (B)