phipps la garita ranch

La Garita has everything going for it...a beautiful setting, an assortment of housing options and the best office manager ever in JoLynne. This year was the first time that 100-year old ranch was open for the public. For decades the ranch was operated as a private trout fishing club for members and their guests only. Now you can rent the main house with it's five bedrooms and expansive decks, and multiple mountain and lake views or stay in rooms or suites in the lodge or two and three bedroom cottages. There are several common buildings on the property as well, a dining hall (free homemade cookies in the afternoon), club room and a game room. There is also a heated pool with a poolside hot tub and sauna. During our trip, we saw elk and a bald eagle, a great heron fishing one of the ponds and more hummingbirds than I can count. The horses spend part of each day in the pastures and they are so friendly you can walk right up and pet them. There are multiple walking trails around the ranch and fishing galore! You can also use the canoe or rowboat to float across the pond, but watch out for the massive trout that may splash you if you startle them as they rest near the surface. You can make arrangements for trail rides or hikes or just sit and relax in a truly beautiful corner of the world. I don't think I've ever seen anything as breathtaking as the rainbow arching over the canyon or the horses reflecting in one of the ponds as they canter to the corral for their morning feeding. Unlike much of Colorado, this corner of the San Juan Mountains has been receiving quite a bit of rain this summer and so everywhere is green and lush and full of flowers. La Garita is a great place to stay, close to Creede with the fabulous Repetory Theater and fun restaurants. If that doesn't interest you try river rafting or four wheeling, drive the bachelor loop, or check out the Mining museum. Don't forget to take quarters when you visit the museum....you can use them to buy sunflower seeds for the nearly tame ground squirrels and chipmunks, that climb up on your lap, or into your hand to collect the seeds and stuff their cheeks full before scurrying off to hide them in their burrows for the winter. It was a wonderful vacation at a beautiful place. Can't wait to go back.This is kind of strangely characterized...it really should be listed under housing.