A Little History - A Lotta Fun
One of the most fun things you can do in RMNP is visit the Never Summer Ranch. The
Never Summer Ranch is a short, flat half mile hike across the Kawuneeche Valley.
(Say that three times fast. Just say it once.)
The Kawuneeche Valley is the broad flat valley on the west side of RMNP. The source
of the mighty Colorado River meanders through the wet meadow that covers most of
the valley.
The ranch was started as an attempt at real ranching in the 1920s. "Papa" and "Mama"
Holzworth soon realized ranching was not practical at 9,100 feet. (How do you think
the adjacent "Never Summer Mountains" got their name?) Lots of hunters invaded the
area each hunting season, so the Holzworths opened their log cabin doors to the hunters.
Ta-da! Instant "rustic" hunting lodge. "Papa" took up taxidermy and "Mama" did the
cooking.
The "Ranch" retained it's rustic flavor on into the 1970s, when the RMNP acquired
it. Fun volunteers give guided tours of the completely and originally furnished cabins,
shops, ice house, etc. (I have no pictures of the interiors. You must see them for
yourself.)
Carrie sweet-talked our friendly guide into allowing her to model this authentic buffalo
skin coat.
After showing us the taxidermy shop, the guide took us to a "hands-on" exhibit.
Adam got to model a recent model moose horn.
Children would love this part of RMNP. Our children did. (So did Mom and Pop.)
A happy group standing in the middle of the beautiful Kawuneeche Valley.
Moments after the above photo stop, Adam looked north up the valley and asked, "Is
that rain?" We all looked to where he was indicating and one of those "slow motion
cinematic" moments happened. About thirty yards away there, indeed, were large rain
drops silently falling straight to the ground. We all stopped to marvel at the sight. Suddenly,
we realized the rain was approaching us. Al had Carrie quickly pack away his camera
into his fanny pack. Not prepared we walked the over one quarter mile across the
valley to our car screaming and laughing as the VERY COLD drops mixed with sleet plopped
down on us. Remember August is the "Monsoon Season" in Colorado.
Go To:
Hike to Big Meadow
Driving Trail Ridge Road
To the shore of Lake Hiayaha
The First Day Picnic
The next day at Adam's Falls
Visit the Reid Reunion of 1998