By Caroline Tapp-McDougall
Originally a silver mining claim in the late 1800s, The Ranch at Rock Creek of today is set among 10 square miles of rugged big sky country that was homesteaded and continuously operated as a working cattle ranch. After a lifetime of searching, businessman Jim Manley acquired the rugged Montana Ranch in 2007.
Since then, Manley and his hospitable cowhands have taken pleasure in recreating a near perfect Wild Wild West glamping experience for neophytes like me and cowboy-lovin’ westerners alike.
We discover the magnificent mountains peaks and valley meadows of the Green Mountains at their finest. Time spent riding with the ranchers on open trails, hiking in the hills and learning to fly fish in a fully-stocked trout pond is more than a breath of fresh air. Other anglers are just as delighted to be
fishing the legendary four-mile Blue Ribbon Rock Creek that rushes through the property.
From September to November, the sagebrush flats are rich with ring-necked pheasant and chukar partridge, and the hunters are out in full force for “wingshooting” season. But we’re a tad too early so, instead, we complete a firearms safety overview for first-timers at the rod and gun club and challenge ourselves on both the cutting-edge sporting clays course and rifle range.
Afterwards, and perhaps more within our comfort zone, a couple of hours at the tiny-perfect five-room spa to work out the once-a-year rider’s aches and pains, followed by a cleverly organized geocaching treasure hunt. Modern meets traditional, as kids and adults alike get together to hunt for hidden clue boxes using GPS tracking. In the winter, participating players even don snowshoes to tear around the ranch looking for loot.
Western authenticity and inspiration is prevalent everywhere—from the stone and timber Granite Lodge to the Silver Dollar Saloon. Throughout the day, classic Bowman horse-drawn stagecoaches ferry guests back and forth to lunch at the Blue Canteen. Along with the cowboys, their presence alone gives little boys visions of sheriffs and bank robbers, and couples who are ready to get hitched a charming way to get to and from the altar.
During the winter season, skis take the place of wooden wheels for good old-fashioned horse drawn sleigh rides. And, even though the sun’s been shining all through our stay, it’s not hard to stand in this magical place that Jim has rebuilt and imagine dashing through the snow embraced by the warmth of wool blankets and a mug of hot cocoa. And when the day is done, there’s nothing finer than drifting off to sleep in our riverside canvas cabin listening to the sounds of the river rushing by.
