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The Flying A Ranch, nestled at the foot of the Gros Ventre
Mountains in one of Wyoming's most picturesque and secluded valleys,
is alive with the rich history of the American West. The ranch faces
the Wind River Mountains where 8,000 years ago, the last of the
Pleistocene glaciers gave way to warming temperatures which encouraged
flourishing plant life and increasing herds of bison, thus attracting
migrating hunters and foragers. This is the area that became home
to the Shoshone or Snake people and to the Sheep Eaters who owned
large dogs for hunting and packing in the rugged uplands that were
difficult for horses to traverse. They followed a seasonal round
from mountain roof to valley floor, fishing in spring, hunting bighorn
sheep above timberline in summer, gathering berries and roots and
wintering in sheltered canyons along the Green River. During the
first decade of the nineteenth century, explorers like John Colter,
Wilson Price Hunt and Donald McKenzie scouted the Green River Valley
for the large fur companies, setting off an orgy for trapping and
fur trading that drew hundreds of men to the solitary work of harvesting
beaver pelts. For ten days each summer, they'd meet near Pinedale
for an annual rendezvous, a huge celebration of feasting, drinking
and feats of strength. "I'll meet you on the Green in the spring,"
was a common farewell salute if trappers encountered each other
during hunting season. When silk hats replaced beaver felt in the
world's fashion centers, the Green River Valley became home to lumbermen
who cut replacement ties for the Union Pacific Railroad. Many stayed
on to build and operate the area's first ranches.
Today, guests at the Flying A Ranch often spot the same abundant
wildlife that shared the valley with early settlers: elk, coyote,
buffalo, mule deer, moose, black bear, antelope and thousands of
birds including hawks, snowy owls, eagles and falcons.
The ranch is bordered on three sides by Bridger-Teton National
Forest. Frank and Betty Dew staked the original claim on the property
in the 1930's and built many of the cabins for their dude ranch
business. Lowell Hansen discovered and purchased the Flying A during
a hunting trip in 1965. He and his family gradually restored and expanded
the buildings to reflect a rustic elegance that combines a taste
of the Old West with modern amenities.
The cabins, each named after an early settler on land near the
ranch, have private baths, kitchenettes, oak floors, handmade furniture
and designer decor. Most feature a living room separate from the
bedroom, a fireplace or wood burning stove and a porch. Management
and staff pride themselves in the care and attention lavished on
each guest. To preserve that quality, the number of guests at the
ranch is limited to twelve adults per week. Visitors participate
in as many or as few activities as they desire. Guided hiking begins
right at the ranch; superb fishing is available on the property
as well as in sparkling mountain waters nearby. The ranch is renowned
for its riding, and maintains an excellent string of horses for
riders at any skill level. Mountain bikes are popular with guests
as is the hot tub. And there is always the option of sitting on
the cabin porch and savoring spectacular views and the ever-changing
sky.
Located fifty miles from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Flying A Ranch
is open to guests from June to October. Each month offers visitors
a different vacation experience. In June herds of elk can be seen
moving to their summer pastures. wildflowers burst forth in an explosion
of color during July. August is warm with clear nights and meteor
showers. And in September aspens paint the hills with color as the
bulging of elk echoes all around. Truly, there is no place on earth
quite like the Flying A Ranch. |
