Lone Mountain Ranch

In August my sweet husband and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary. Wow! Ten years. Where did the time go? With three major moves, two children and one on the way, it is easy to say “it feels like just yesterday…”, but, we’ve covered a lot of ground in ten years. Originally I thought we would take a big trip over to Europe – but then baby boy #3 decided it was his time to join our family. So, we decided to stay close to home, and took a trip over to Big Sky to check out Lone Mountain Ranch, a historic Montana guest ranch on the banks of the North Fork Creek.

Anytime I get to take a road trip through my native state, I am always in awe of it. The Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, The mountains that open up to grand valleys with cattle and buffalo grazing in them. That Big Sky. It truly is the treasure state and everyone that knows me, knows that I am pretty damned proud to be 5^th generation strong and a member of the “Sons and Daughters of the Montana Pioneers”. I always love getting to visit properties that have historic pasts like Lone Mountain Ranch. So when my friend Jon Makhmaltchi of J.MAK Hospitality was promoting the ranch on Facebook, I was excited to learn more about this property in my own back yard!

We were warmly welcomed in the main lodge and then shown to the “Bald Eagle” cabin - into what my husband calls “the perfect cabin”. Simple and rustic, it was the original bath house when it was a private ranch in the 1920’s, but has since been renovated into a one room cabin with a queen bed, wood stove, rocking chair, desk and a full bath. It was perfect for the weekend. No TV or modern distractions, although wifi was available.

Included in rates are three meals daily, horseback riding six days a week, naturalist led hikes, a canoe trip, a Yellowstone National Park tour, mountain biking, Outdoor Youth Adventures Program, BBQ’s, evening entertainment and a complimentary shuttle on the weekly check in/ check out day.The Northwest corner of Yellowstone Park is only 20 miles from the ranch and where many of the ranch’s naturalist hikes and guided fly fishing trips take place. All day tours enter the Park in West Yellowstone which is 45 miles away.

 

We headed over to the dining lodge for lunch before heading out to explore. Sitting outside on the deck, looking out at the property and cabins, you cannot help but feel like THIS is what you would expect out of a summer vacation in Montana. Young children playing games and chasing each other around the lawn, the whole atmosphere emitting a very authentic camp-like feel. Fresh Rocky Mountain air accompanying an amazing lunch, and we were off to a great start.

That evening I was treated to a gourmet festival of flavors and new foods I had not yet tried. The pictures here are worth a million words, and the whole experience was wonderful. A big thanks to Chef Nick Steen and his kitchen. I’m always delighted when the chef himself (or herself) come out from the kitchen to present the courses, and I so appreciated it all!!!  

 

Ty's luscious rib-eye

The next day we hiked to Ousel Falls, an easy pregnant lady hike of just 1.6 miles roundtrip from the parking lot. The trail is a geologist's playground of shale and other ancient ocean floor evidence that follows the South Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin River to Ousel Falls. There were numerous pockets in the river that begged to be swam in, and I was disappointed I forgot to wear my swimming suit. Next time!

Upon our return we did what married couples of 2.5 kids do when they get a couple of days away. We took a nap. And it was glorious. That night dinner was to be served at The Pavillion. A good ‘ol western BBQ… that I had to skip. Only one problem with this whole trip... *I* have been a huge Nancy this pregnancy. My appetite is pretty much nonexistent, and when I can eat, I’m like a French woman; I take three bites and am STUFFED. And unfortunately meat especially sets me off – so because of that alone – I am going to HAVE to come back to Lone Mountain Ranch to experience their famed winter sleigh ride dinners, and actually be able to enjoy the wonderful food that was so creatively crafted.

Our entire stay was just what we were looking for. Relaxing and quiet. We broke the “unplugged vacation” rule at night and watched a few episodes of “Nashville” that we were catching up on. Ty got up every morning at 6:00am and spent a few hours on the river, at “his church”, and I got to sleep in, a sweet luxury in itself when you have two young boys at home.

A big thanks to my mom and dad for watching the boys for the weekend. Another HUGE thank you to J.MAK Hospitality, Paul Robertson and the entire staff at Lone Mountain Ranch. We had a wonderful weekend and I look forward to visiting again. If you are looking for a vacation reminiscent of the “good ‘ol days” under a glorious Montana Big Sky, with friendly people and something to offer everyone, then Lone Mountain Ranch is your ticket to paradise. Ask me for more details on rates if you are interested in booking.