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The WJ van
arriving at Twin
Peaks Ranch
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Jill on White
Eyes, Viv on
Vic at Twin
Peaks Ranch
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Great, rustic
accommodations
with all the
amenities
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WAVE Journey enjoyed a week of riding,
roping and rafting at Twin Peaks Ranch!
WJ's time at Twin Peaks went by far too
quickly! We had so much fun that we didn't
want to leave and wished we could stay for at
least another week.
Highlights:
Gorgeous scenery, mouth-watering food,
clean,cozy and comfortable accommodations,
horses to suit all skill levels and sizes, friendly
and competent staff, exceptionally clean and
well maintained swimming pool and hot tub,
large variety of fun and challenging activities.
Perfect For:
Families, Singles, Romantic Getaway, Work or
Family Retreats, Groups
Negatives:
This is such a wonderful experience that a
week isn't long enough! Book to stay longer if
you can. If you want more than beginner
horse rides, make sure you inquire when
booking if it will be possible during your stay -
generally rides that are scheduled are nose
to tail trail rides.
Bottom Line:
We can't wait to return in the near future and
take some WJ.com readers with us!
Reviewed: July 2007
WJ Recommended:
Definite YES!
Travel Tale: Twin Peaks Ranch: Saddle Up
and Put Your Life Jacket On!
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Taken from their website: Twin Peaks Ranch -
Salmon, Idaho
Located near Salmon, Idaho on the wild “River of No
Return”, Twin Peaks Ranch offers guests a one of a kind
western vacation. If you’re looking to get in touch with
your inner cowboy or just get away and relax, our 2,900-
acre working ranch will provide you with an authentic Wild
West experience.
Founded because of its ideal location for sportsmen
activities, guests can participate in the widest variety of
western activities found anywhere. Whether it’s riding lofty
trails to our high mountain tent camp, fishing an alpine
lake, or floating the Salmon River’s white water rapids,
there is something for everybody.
At Twin Peaks Ranch you can enjoy the widest variety of
western activities found in the Northern Rockies. From
riding to wrangling to rafting, you can experience it all.
Come break trail over the Continental Divide where Lewis
& Clark came over on their way to map the Northwest
Territories. Herd cattle through the open range of our
working ranches 2,900 acres. Raft the rated Salmon
River, or as many know it, the “River of No Return”. Or
just relax in our heated swimming pool. Fishing, target
shooting, arena riding, overnight trips, evening
entertainment and much more await you as well.
www.twinpeaksranch.com
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Trail ride at
Long Hollow
Ranch
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Three Sisters
views
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WJ spent three nights at Long Hollow
Ranch.
WAVE Journey was incredibly disappointed
with the experience at Long Hollow.
Highlights:
Scenic location and nice horses.
Perfect For:
Christians. Those who want very little activity,
never been on a horse before, and are not
particular about what they eat.
Negatives:
Service was poor. Food was terrible - did not
cater to the vegetarians in the group who had
informed them of dietary requests prior to
arrival. Horse tack was very dirty and saddles
incredibly uncomfortable and too small for
adult riders. The ranch is Christian
faith-based (perfect for those of that faith),
but their website does not state that and you
don't know until it is imposed upon you when
you arrive. The ranch did not deliver in any
category the goods that they promote.
Bottom Line:
If this had been their first season in business
we would have cut them some slack and
made suggestions for improvement. However,
after seven years of the ranch being in this
business we were appalled at the low
standards. We found this ranch to be very
overpriced for what they deliver.
Reviewed: June 2007
WJ Recommended:
Definite NO!
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Taken from their website: Long Hollow Ranch -
Sisters, Oregon
Looking for a dude ranch vacation, cowboy vacation, or
horse ranch vacations? Or, working cattle ranch
horseback vacations, cattle drive, horseback riding
vacations, fly fishing vacations? Look no further. We have
them all.
Long Hollow Ranch is a guest ranch with good old fashion
values. The newly remodeled 100-year old ranch house
welcomes you to historic Central Oregon. The friendly
ranch style atmosphere, the cozy guest rooms and
home-cooked meals satisfy and refresh our hungry and
tired guests.
Explore the ranch on horseback or hike the bordering
high desert rimrock. Fish to your heart's content in the
ranch reservoirs or spend a relaxing afternoon reading on
the veranda, pitching horseshoes in the yard by the
campfire or practicing your roping skills.
Hey, don't forget Long Hollow Ranch is located in the
heart of one of the Northwest's most scenic recreation
areas. Golf courses manicured to perfection abound,
whitewater rafting awaits the adventurous. Roaming the
antique and quilt stores of Sisters, a true town from the
Old West just minutes away, revives the spirit.
Long Hollow Ranch is also an authentic working cattle
ranch, so live those cowboy dreams by working with ranch
hands on authentic ranch activities from fixing fence to
moving irrigation to working with cattle.
www.lhranch.com
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WAVE Journey did a site inspection of
Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge.
The lodge offers a beautiful setting, first class
facilities, friendly staff and plenty of activities
for all ages and levels.
Highlights:
Historic lodge in a very scenic location on
Flathead Lake, delicious meals, horse rides
for all riding levels, children have their own
activities and meal times, comfortable
accommodations with all the amenities, large
variety of activities for adults and children
alike.
Perfect For:
Families, groups, conferences, executive
retreats.
Negatives:
This large lodge can accommodate up to 120
people in log lodges and 20 cottages; so if
you're looking for a quiet, intimate setting this
may not be what you're looking for.
Bottom Line:
WAVE Journey looks forward to visiting Avrill's
in the near future and experiencing first hand
the facilities, services and activities. We liked
what we saw and the variety of activities -
horse riding is divided into adult and
children's rides.
Date of site inspection: July 16, 2007
WJ Recommended:
YES
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Taken from their website: Averill's Flathead Lake
Lodge - Bigfork, Montana
Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge is a 2,000 acre, family
operated Montana dude ranch. Nestled in a bay on the
east shore of Flathead Lake, Averill's ranch features
horseback riding in the Rocky Mountains of northwest
Montana as well as a variety of other activities including
fishing, sailing and swimming.
Horses and hospitality are a way of life at Averill's Ranch.
Riding at the ranch ranges from mountain trails to
lessons, horse games and arena events.
Flathead Lake Lodge was built in 1932 as a boy's camp
and acquired by Les Averill when he returned to Montana
from the war in 1945. His boyhood dream was to build a
dude ranch and hunting lodge for city folks to experience
a part of the west. That dream came true with the
purchase of the Flathead Recreation Ranch for Boys,
now Flathead Lake Lodge
Guests can enjoy the cozy ambience of our historic log
lodges or one of our rustic cabins nestled on the shores
of Flathead Lake, the largest natural fresh water lake
west of the Mississippi.
www.avrills.com
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Michel &
Michele from
France
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Long Hollow Ranch:
At Long Hollow Ranch WJ met a couple from
France, Michel & Michele (Mr & Mrs). In fact,
we all arrived at the same time and became
fast friends during a few days of frustration at
the ranch.
Michel & Michele had booked to spend 8 days
at Long Hollow, but after a series of very
disappointing experiences they left the ranch
after 4 days.
Long Hollow did not deliver the horse riding
experience that Michel & Michel were looking
for, had asked for and had been assured (via
email) could be delivered.
Their mission was to spend a month in the
USA riding horses, working cattle, etc... They
have been riding Western for 30 years and
are very experienced.
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NOTE:
WJ spoke with the head wrangler at Long Hollow on
behalf of Michel & Michele to find out if they could take
them out for more than a 90 minute nose to tail dusty trail
ride - as they were expecting to be riding all day working
cattle, etc...
A wrangler did take them out without the beginner riders,
but the ride was only slightly longer and still around the
same dusty trails.
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Bar M Ranch - Reviewed by Michel &
Michele from France
In mid-June, Michel & Michele from France
spent a few days at Bar M Ranch, 30 miles
northeast of Pendleton, Oregon.
The following is Michel & Michele's report:
The Bar M isn't a ranch for people who have
ever seen horses!
Our first ride on the Saturday was between
9h30 and 10h30 (1hr), the same thing in the
afternoon. So, we had to tell the woman you
called (WJ called Bar M on behalf of Michel &
Michele to make sure that they would be able
to take advanced level rides), that we were
leaving the ranch the following morning.
A young wrangler came to ask us what
happened and we explained once more, we
own horses and don't want such a beginner
ride. He promised to do something.
The next day (Sunday) we rode from 9h30 till
7 pm through the mountains - having our
lunch in a bag for the first time.
The wrangler talked to us about another great
ride on the other side of the valley, so we
decided to leave only on Tuesday morning,
hoping our Monday ride would be as good as
the Sunday ride.
In fact, the young man didn't know where the
trail was and we tried to find the trailhead all
morning. He said he never has riders with
some experience and he never rides all day
as he has done with us.
In the main house where we stayed, there
were 8 rooms - very small - and 3 bathrooms
shared by 16 people. As the bathrooms are
also used by all the people who are coming
into the main house, you can imagine what
can happen when the ranch is completely
booked.
So, I can't tell you it's a good place to stay for
anyone more than a beginner rider.
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Taken from their website: Bar M Ranch ~ Adams,
Oregon
Built in 1864 as a stage coach stop during the Civil War
era, the historic Bar M Ranch is as timeless as the
western traditions on which it was founded. Those
traditions continue today, making the Bar M the ultimate
destination for a fun, relaxing and memorable western
vacation. From large families to adventurous individuals,
everyone is welcome here at the Bar M. The peace,
quiet, and beauty of the ranch also make it an ideal
location for weddings, corporate retreats, meetings and
other group events.
Heading up the Umatilla River, the Bar M Ranch is located
just 31 miles / 50 kilometers east of Pendleton, Oregon.
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, the
sprawling 3,000 acre ranch is tucked away amid tall old
growth pine and fir trees on the ranches hills, and
cottonwood trees on the canyon floor right next to the
Umatilla River. Let our laid-back western atmosphere
change your pace of life. Horseback riding, natural hot
springs pool and hot tub, spectacular scenery,
recreational opportunities, and delicious home-style
meals make the Bar M the perfect year-round ranch
getaway.
www.barmranch.com
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Deadwood Outfitters - Reviewed by Michel
& Michel from France
Michel & Michele had reservations with
Deadwood Outfitters for the end of June 2007
- to spend three nights in the wilderness on a
pack trip.
Five days before Michel & Michele were to
meet up with Deadwood Outfitters in Idaho,
WJ left a message on the company's voice
mail to confirm the arrival dates and inquire if
it were possible to start the pack trip a couple
of days early. Deadwood Outfitters never
returned our call.
This is Michel & Michele's report:
Our stay with the outfitter near Boise was
better than Long Hollow or Bar M.
But the overnight pack trip I asked for (4
days/ 3 nights) became 1 1/2 day/ 1 night.
We were going to leave the Deadwood
Outfitter but the guide was able to take us for
2 full days of riding on Wednesday/Thursday.
In fact, Deadwood Outfitters were not waiting
for us as they never received the money I
sent them on January 18, 2007.
So now I have to fight with my bank to get this
money back.
What an adventure...
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Taken from their website: Deadwood Outfitters ~
Garden Valley, Idaho
Deadwood Outfitters is an Idaho hunting outfitter
specializing in Idaho guided elk and deer hunts.
Deadwood Outfitters has the ability to help you plan a
great weekend getaway or an adventure of a lifetime, any
season of the year. In the summer months, we specialize
in family adventure trips---everything from 2 hour horse
back trail rides to extended backcountry pack trips,
Saddle-n-Paddle Adventures and great fishing. Elk hunts,
mule deer, whitetail & bear hunts provide great fall
expeditions. Then, in the winter, our lodge becomes the
ultimate "back country" snowmobile experience.
Deadwood Outfitters LLC has been family owned and
operated since 1969 by Tom & Dawn Carter and their
family in southwestern Idaho. Formally owned by Dawn's
parents, Dan and Marge Rotthoff, Tom and Dawn took
over the reins full-time in 1994. Now with our
grandchildren, that makes four generations of our family
serving our guests here on the Deadwood. Our outfitted
trips are operated on Idaho's Boise National Forest and
the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.
http://deadwoodoutfitters.com/
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