Sylvan Dale is a working ranch. We run approximately 70 pair (140 cows and calves), of mostly beautiful Red Saler stock, on our 3200 privately owned acres plus several thousand acres of National Forest on a grazing permit. We practice low-impact rotational grazing, which means we move the herd frequently to avoid over-grazing and protect native grasslands. As a rancher once said, “We’re not really in the cattle business; we’re in the grass business. The cattle are just the way we get the grass to market.”
Our guests
are invited to get involved at the grassroots level
to help move the herd from pasture to pasture and
learn about cattle ranching. To participate in Ranch cattle work, you need to qualify as an Adventure Rider or take part in our summer six night dude week program on the full riding package.
Spring and Fall Cattle Work for Adventure Riders: We post a schedule of
cattle drives and roundups, but dates can change due
to weather and other factors.
We urge anyone who would like to participate in
these events to get enrolled in our Adventure Rider Program. Participation in cattle drives is limited to those who qualify for this program. Rates for spring and fall cattle drives vary, depending on the length of the drive.
Summer Dude Ranch Vacation Guests: During our summer dude
ranch season, guests will have the opportunity
to do some type of cattle work such as team penning,
mini-roundups or cattle drives, fence riding in the back
country, vaccinating, spraying and branding the
herd during the weeks prior to the main cattle drives.
Our authentic cattle operation offers a whole new world for avid riders. The opportunity to learn about cattle and how to work them properly will challenge and delight you. The industry calls this Team Penning. You will saddle up, head for the cattle pens, and maneuver our Heart J steers though a series of obstacles to their final destination. This process involves team work, cow savy, cutting and herding skills, and a good sense of humor. Friendly competition increases the fun!
If you are joing us for one of our cattle drive weeks the you will help us move the herd from
the main ranch pastures to the Cedar Park meadows
for summer grazing in the back country. This provides our guests with an opportunity to participate in an authentic cattle drive. As with any real working ranch, cattle work depends on weather and range conditions. Check the summer schedule for exact dates.
We start
at the cattle pens and move half the herd up rugged
Sulzer Gulch, over the beautiful pass at Wager’s
Meadow and into the lush Cedar Creek drainage.
The drive takes 4-5 hours, depending on temperatures
and endurance levels of calves (and the guests!).
Once the
herd is settled down, riders proceed to Cow Camp,
a one-of-a-kind rustic log homestead with a weathered
old barn and several outbuildings. Built in
the early 1900's, Cow Camp is nestled in quaking aspen
trees along a remote section of Cedar Creek.
As the sun sets we chow down on juicy steaks cooked
over a campfire, along with all the trimmings, followed
up by s’mores, singing and tall tales.
Guests bed down under the stars, or in the cabin or
barn, using ranch-supplied sleeping bags and foam
pads.
Guests awake
to the smell of fresh cowboy coffee, bacon sizzling
in a huge fry pan, and a hearty breakfast. We
return down the trail (sometimes by a different route)
and arrive back at the ranch in time for a shower
before lunch.
The overnight is often the highlight
of the week – a true Old West experience.
No electricity, no plumbing; just open air, mountain
stillness and a sense of cowboy camaraderie on the trail and around the campfire.
Qualifications:
Cattle drive and round-up participants must be registered as Heart-J Riders (age 13+) and must demonstrate adequate horsemanship skills
during the first part of the week to qualify.
Natural Beef Sales
