1.4 miles

Darwin Ranch Nordic Groomed Loop

Gros Ventre & Wyoming Ranges

Fee: $25.00

Access:

Drive south on Hwy 191 left at Hoback Junction, past Bondurant, across the Green River. Just before Daniel, turn left (east) on Forty Rods Road. Drive 6 miles east to Hwy 352. Turn left (north), drive north 20 miles. At the end of the pavement, park in the plowed area. meet the Darwin Ranch snowcat

Description:

The Darwin Ranch is a rustic, historic guest ranch set on 160 acres in the headwater valley of the Gros Ventre River, surrounded by the vast Gros Ventre Wilderness. The Ranch is family operated, open to guests for over 55 years in the summer and fall.

Set at 8100 feet along the river bank, the ranch lies in a beautiful valley of red sandstone cliffs, wide open meadows, distant views of Darwin and Black Peak.

In winter 2021-2022, the Darwin Ranch will be open for small groups of guests -4 rooms (8 guests maximum) -with groomed and back-county Nordic ski trails and Alpine touring. Multiple day lodging, meals, and trail access are by reservation only. The main guest cabin, "Elk Cabin", was renovated and winterized in 2020; meals are excellent, and the cozy log main lodge has a large fireplace, dining and lounge area.
This trail starts from the Elk Cabin, and circles the perimeter of the large horse pasture to the east of the main ranch area. The trail circles out to the Gros Ventre River canyon, then follows the river bank, contouring between sage brush meadows and willows, most which are under the winter snow. Further opportunities abound to ski on the nearby Gros Ventre snow mobile groomed trail, which runs from Slide Lake along the Gros Ventre River all the way to Pinedale. Non-groomed trails are endless, up Bacon Ridge to the east or west up 3 valleys high into the Gros Ventre backcountry.

Access to the Ranch is via 20 miles of snow cat travel from the end of the plowed road of Hwy 352 (summer road that goes to Green River Lakes). The Ranch has no wifi or cell access -truly off-the-grid, deep in the immensity of wilderness in winter.

For more information and reservations, contact the Darwin Ranch thedarwinranch@gmail.com – DarwinRanch.com – 307- 203-3040