Our job was to transfer a herd of heifers from one pasture to another through the ranch grounds and across a road on a California cattle drive. The Guest Ranch has been around since 1931 and is even more popular than it was when it first opened. Episode 303: A Desert Dude Ranch in Summer; Carver Family Cattle Drive - Watch on YouTube. Like many ranches suffering the financial woes of the Great Depression, the Hunewill family decided to take in guests to supplement their income in the 1930s and theyve been taking in guests ever since. The California Ranch Two weekend cattle drive adventures per year. The Hunewill Ranch is an all round family ranch with various activities throughout the summer season. Terri Geissinger, an interpreter and Bodie historian, rode along with us. Ride with the Hunewill family for ve days, covering sixty miles from Bridgeport, California to Smith Valley, Nevada herding 800 cows as they are driven to their winter range. The ranch has sufficient land to enable you to walk, trot and canter in the wide open spaces of Bridgeport Valley.There are occasions when the day rides venture up into the nearby mountains to enjoy high mountain terrain, glacial lakes and spectacular scenery. Some of the jobs youll do include moving cows, parting cows from the herd, and preparing cattle for shipping to summer pastures. Most rooms have a queen and a twin bed or two twin beds. Box 368, Bridgeport, CA 93517. info@hunewillranch.com 760-932-7710 775-465-2201 - winter hunewillranch.com Rock Creek Pack Station Just four hours north of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles and an easy three hours south of Reno, Nevada, is Bishop California. Box 368 Bridgeport, CA 93517. Life moves at a slower pace. There are a number of cattle weeks during the season so you would be well advised to be a reasonable rider as the days can be long and challenging. Home > United States > Bridgeport, CA > . Hunewill Ranch is an authentic working dude ranch, but it's also a completely immersive getaway experience. The group became a tourist attraction that day as much as the town itself we found ourselves the subject of more than a few photographers. We have a main lodge and 4 log cabins built in the 1920's. All the other guests had been coming to the ranch for years so were well used to everything the ranch and the immediate area had to offer, but we were seeing things for the first time. We spent a number of days with the Hunewills and succumbed to their magic. This ranch has an all-inclusive summit to sea experience with breathtaking mountain trail riding, white water rafting, steelhead fly fishing, or jet boat tours to the Pacific Ocean! Mammoth Lakes is located an hour south of Bridgeport. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. Los Angeles is a 6 hour drive to Bridgeport. The breakfast warning bell clanged at 7am, but I was up at least an hour earlier. You will arrive at the ranch on Wednesday for dinner, ride Thursday through Tuesday, and leave the following Wednesday after breakfast. by Darley Newman There are "City Slickers" type cattle drives put on for tourists. 26- 30 May 2020 Spring Cattle drive Work cattle in Bridgeport and at our Smith Valley, Nevada ranch with Hunewill family members. We continually update the Equitrekking Travel Deals page and blast it out first in Equitrekking's free monthly e-newsletter. An internet search turned up Hunewill, located about an hour north of the resort town of Mammoth Lakes along the north/ south thoroughfare of Interstate Highway 395. Guest. I am also into fishing and there are great opportunities within a few miles of the ranch. You must have intermediate to advanced riding skills to participate in this drive. Guest. Stan and Jan are semi-retired but still involved in overseeing ranch operations. Read more California Cattle Drive Hunewill Ranch - California, USA However, during a few special weeks we offer cattle work as the featured activity. Later, we discovered that one happy vocalist was the doctor whod met his wife on the November cattle drive. Beyond the valley, the mountains rise sharply, reminiscent of the Tetons. Address. At night, the valley laid under a canopy of stars streaked with a ribbon of Milky Way. The rides to the hot springs in Buckeye Canyon and the high ride to Crown Lake were unforgettable. Just got back from the Hunewill Ranch at the first of June, my first time there and I had a wonderful time. For over 136 years the Hunewill family has raised and sold cows and since the 1930s they have offered a very unique opportunity for visitors to get to see and participate in a working cow ranch. This underlying thread of respect, acceptance, and welcoming spirit is alive and well in the sixth generation of todays Hunewill family. Bonapartes father was in the War of 1812, and his grandfather served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War. Interestingly, she pointed out that more miners died not of mining accidents or gunshot wounds, but from pneumonia. My nephew and I also made a side trip to Bishop to trout fish with Guide Pat Yeager. Youll find myriad opportunities for safe riding. Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill's ancestors were French Huguenots from Alsace-Lorraine. Copyright 2004 - 2023 Equestrian Travel Brands, LLC. Rate includes meals, horseback riding, lodging, and ranch activities. Because Alice enjoyed music, N.B. Laughter and friendships abound as kids play during their non-riding time. The guest ranch has been welcoming visitors from around the world for over 55 years. info@duderanch.org | 307-587-2339 | 1122 12th St., Cody, WY 82414, 1122 12th Street, P.O. Speaking of Dwayne I hear that he and wrangler, Sallie Joseph, are . Its good to remember your horses name since the wranglers call out their name, not your own, as the horses are saddled up. Hunewill Ranch`s and Esther loved Alice very much. The Hunewills dont see skin color, they just take you for who you are, said Renee. The lumber business proved to be more successful. There, N.B. Betsy manages the office with smiles and efficiency. Copyright 2013-2023 American Roundup. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. 2 www.hunewillranch.com 2023 Hunewill Ranch 3 INFORMATION ABOUT OUR STAYS AND PACKAGES Check In time is between 3:00 and 5:30 pm on arrival date. Find more great cattle drives. P. O. Learning how to ride horses in Golden Gate Park, I have been dreaming of coming to a ranch, like Hunewill, since I was 10 years old. The Hunewill Ranch spans 4,100 acres and more than six miles of rivers and streams in Bridgeport Valley and was recently protected through a conservation easement that permanently limits development. Guests feel theyre a part of a very special ranching family. Whether you are a novice or advanced rider, there will be a mount to suit you. in 1880. The cattle were branded with the letter H, which eventually became known as the Circle H brand. The ranch has become intertwined with many guests family history. Search the Equitrekking Vacation Guide and Top20Ranches.com. The present-day Hunewill family is headed by Stan and Jan Hunewill, who have three married children and six grandchildren. Skip to Nav; Skip to Main; Skip to Footer; Created with Sketch. The 4,500-acre Hunewill Ranch was founded in 1861 by Napoleon Bonaparte Hunewill and his wife, Esther. My family has traveled around the world but this is our favorite annual vacation.. We have tried other guest ranches and they are boring compared with Hunewill. Click here for more info on Hunewill Ranch, For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check Tel: 760-932-7710 Herding cattle at Hunewill Ranch. And last, but certainly not least, is Betsy and her husband, Jon Elliot. The Hunewills mean it. Rate includes meals, horseback riding, lodging, and ranch activitieS. Photo credit: Dwayne Leonard. Bricks for the two chimneys came from a brick kiln in Bodie, now a famous ghost town. View Map. The lodging and meals are outstanding. I couldnt have asked for a better horse. It was on this drive that Cupid launched a successful attack on two guests, Kay and Fred, who've been happily married for many years now. Box 368 Bridgeport, CA 93517. The highlight of our stay was the morning cattle drive where we moved 50 cattle. Home style meals are served in the dining room in the founder's Victorian ranch house. We always leave Hunewill Ranch plotting our next trip. We offer everything from short enjoyable jaunts on horseback to nine hour rides for the intrepid explorer. The beautiful scenery and the tradition of the cattle drive combine to give our guests the experience of a lifetime. . Herding cattle at the ranch. Sign up to get the best dude ranch vacation travel deals first. more. The surrounding 26,000 acres in the mountainous Bridgeport Valley provides a unique riding atmosphere for all skill levels. Twin Peaks, the Matterhorn Peak, and the Sawtooth Range, visible from the ranch, form part of the . Stanley Hunewill loved the ranch and cowboy way of life. TX Ranch Cattle Drives on the border of Wyoming and Montana. Ranch activities will vary depending on the dates you visit. There was also talent night with participation from a few guests, including a little girl who sang a Beatles tune. They are able to cater to all levels and also take kids over 6. At night, the cattle stay in corrals at neighboring ranches along the route. We spent quite a bit of time with Stan. Son Jeff is involved in holistic ranch management; his wife, Denise, is ranch bookkeeper. A good way to go. Phone +1 307-655-9463. 2,590 were here. In the evening twilight, we watched children walk along the top rail of a corral, arms outstretched for balance as though they were circus performers. By 1862, hed built a house, filed for water rights, and begun operating two sawmills. I eased my middle-aged body out of bed. He happily told his wife, This is something we can do until we get really old!. When floods destroyed the mill in 1861, N.B. Nestled in the Cholame Valley, the V6 Ranch envelops 20,000 acres of the most diverse and alluring country in the heart of California. This property is what we would term a Working Guest ranch. Copyright 2023 | Hunewill Guest Ranch - All Rights Reserved For the best deals on travel insurance, be sure to use the DRAs preferred provider! Wonderful riding, incredible hospitality from the same family that had run the ranch for more than 100 years. The Hunewill Ranch is a family-owned and operated outfit where great horseback riding is the featured attraction. I am absolutely in love with my horse, Ben. This is far more than just a dude ranch. Bonaparte's father was in the War of 1812, and his grandfather served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War. The kids (now adults) love it, and so do my husband. During its mining boom, the population swelled to 8,500 and more than 2,000 buildings. So, when you pull up alongside the old Victorian house and see Welcome Home written on the big rock, youre home. Copyright 2004 - 2023 Equestrian Travel Brands, LLC. I wanted to experience a cattle drive. He was always mindful of surroundings, looking around, but was never spooked. Ideal for those looking for a working cattle ranch experience. Twin Lakes is only a short drive from Hunewill Ranch. The sixth generation Hunewill children welcome and play with children of guests as though they were long lost cousins who have finally arrived. What we spend our lives doing speaks volumes of who we are. I dreamed of having a real cowboy experience. With red eyes and great sadness, Jeanette said, The hardest part about being here is leaving. Shed just taken her last ride and put her horse away. You'll stay in comfortable cottages near the horse pasture; allowing you to watch the horses come thundering in early each morning. Leslie is a rancher at Hunewill Ranch in Bridgeport Valley where her family raises cattle and operates a guest ranch. Babysitting is provided for children under the age of six during riding hours. This beautiful piano is still in the house today. We end our autumn packages with the Columbus Day Weekend Stay. Hunewill barn against backdrop of mountains. Prolonged exposure to the warm, moist air in the mines combined with the dry, cold mountain climate was the reason, no doubt exacerbated by conditions in the mines as well. The horses are their partners and horsemanship is the main focus. The ranch is near Mono Lake and Yosemite so those are options for an off-ranch trip, there is also good trout fishing nearby and lots of opportunities for biking or long walks. More Date of stay: September 2015 See all 40 reviews Nearby Hotels Annett's Mono Village View Hotel 73 reviews 1.6 miles from Hunewill Ranch There are between 4 and 7 night ranch stays, cattle weeks, ladies only or adult only weeks. Hunewill Guest Ranch is located in Bridgeport, California on the eastern slope of the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains bordering Yosemite National Park. The youngest child, Aspen, was wearing a diaper and didnt say much, but she roped her little heart out as she threw loop after loop at a plastic steer head. With over a hundred well-trained horses and a vast expanse of lush green meadows and scenic mountain trails, we create memories that last a lifetime. Sues animated voice and shining eyes emphasized the enthusiasm of her words. 20.8 miles from Hunewill Ranch Free parking Restaurant West Walker Motel View Hotel 60 reviews 23.2 miles from Hunewill Ranch Free Wifi Free parking View more hotels in Bridgeport Value Location Sleep Quality Rooms Cleanliness Service Trip type: Traveled with friends Value Sleep Quality Rooms Cleanliness Trip type: Traveled solo Value Location The Hunewill family and the wranglers they employ made us feel really welcome and safe. Copyright 2023 | Hunewill Guest Ranch - All Rights Reserved I would recommend him for beginning and advanced riders. The Hardy Quarter Horses of Namibia Breed Profile, Where to Ride in 2019: Droolworthy Riding Vacations, Horse Lovers Vacation at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Hunewill Ranch Vacation & Cattle Drives in California. Hunewill Ranch - California, USA 26- 30 May 2020 Spring Cattle drive Work cattle in Bridgeport and at our Smith Valley, Nevada ranch with Hunewill family members. 50 miles of riding trails, 100-acre spring-fed lake, two 18-hole championship golf courses, tennis courts, pool, spa, western-themed accommodations, fine dining, and endless ways to unplug and unwind. Hunewill Guest Ranch is located north of Yosemite National Park in the green, mountainous Bridgeport Valley of California. In 1928, he married a schoolteacher named Lenore. Rankin Ranch is one of the oldest and largest family-owned ranches in California. Megan promised we would all be loping today. It refers to guests as the Greater Hunewill Family. Greenhorn Ranch is a guest ranch in Californias Lost Sierra. surprised her with a Steinway piano that he bought from a mining engineer. She also entertains guests around the campfire with sing-a-longs and dances on talent night. This working cattle ranch allows guests to experience the Cowboy Side of California with authentic Cattle Drives, Cowboy Academies, and spectacularly scenic trail riding. Guests and employees are treated like family. Vacation packages throughout the season emphasize riding, but also provide other unique activities, such as cattle work, dances, and talent nights. Hunewill Ranch is home to the best horseback riding vacations in California. We include the flights, hotels, ranch stay, car hire, transfer arrangements where we can and anything else you may require. During this visit, he fell in love with Esther, a local girl, and married her. Joseph, are to guests as the Greater Hunewill family to the best horseback riding, lodging, begun... 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