Sunday, June 21, 1998 - Day 2 - On the Road To Waunita Hot Springs Ranch

We're up early for breakfast at our motel in Canon City. And, then we're off on U.S. Highway 50 heading west to Waunita Hot Springs Ranch. The highway follows the Arkansas River all the way to Salida. We stopped several times to stretch and take pictures along the Arkansas River. While it's still early in the morning, we saw quite a number of buses and vans hauling rafts for float trips on the river. Our Waunita dude ranch trip includes a river rafting trip later in the week on the Gunnison River.

Around 11:00 a.m., we arrive at Monarch Pass, elevation 11,312 at the Continental Divide. We went in the gift shop there for a quick tour. I was impressed with the World's Highest Subway there in one of the domes in the gift shop. So impressed, I was ready for lunch, but, the others weren't quite ready. Oh well, on another trip...

We did have time for a ride up the Monarch Crest Scenic Tramway. The tram, on the mountain since 1966, rises approximately 700 feet in elevation to the top terminal elevation of 12,012 feet. Pikes Peak is visible about 70 miles away. Kelly really enjoys the tram ride and the SNOW at the summit! It's much colder at the top. We're soon ready for the ride back down the mountain and our trip on to Gunnison.

Tram Up to 12,012 feet

Snow at 12,012 feet in June 1998

As we continue our trip west on U.S. Highway 50, we drive past the turn-off for Waunita Ranch to travel to the Gunnison Airport to turn in our rental car. After arriving at the airport around 1:30, we call the ranch to make arrangements for them to pick us up at the airport. Shortly, we're glad to see Mr. Pringle arrive to take us on to the ranch for our 1998 Dude Ranch Vacation!

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While this is the second trip for Barbara and myself, it is the first visit for our daughter Kelly and our friends Charles and Peggy Miller. Barbara and I visited the ranch for the first time in 1996. CLICK HERE to visit the Coker's 1996 Waunita Ranch Vacation Travelogue (AFTER viewing and bookmarking this web site!). We selected Waunita Hot Springs Ranch in 1996 after doing an extensive review of guest ranches to find a ranch that offered the most value in a great location. After that visit, we knew that we had selected the best possible ranch for our money. Waunita offers a great scenic location, delicious food, comfortable accommodations, quality horses and nice wranglers for assistance, scenic trail rides, cookouts, overnight campout and river rafting. Also, there's much more: several sidetrips available, a large heated swimming pool, square dancing, western singing show, hayride, arena games and still more good food and snacks!

A very high percentage of guests are "repeat" guests or referrals from previous guests. We really like Waunita Ranch and are sure that you will too! Contact the Pringle family at Waunita Hot Springs Ranch for a brochure and let'em know that you saw Mel Coker's Travelogue on the Internet.

A Short Waunita Hot Springs History Lesson

Waunita Hot Springs Ranch is located high in the Colorado Rockies (elevation 8,946 feet) ten miles west of the Continental Divide and about 22 miles east of Gunnison. The ranch is surrounded by Gunnison National Forest land and summer pasture.

Before the pioneers settled in the West, Waunita Park was a neutral meeting place for various Indian tribes. They met together peaceably and bathed in the bubbling hot springs. The hot springs are only a quarter of a mile from the base of Tomichi Dome (elevation 11, 384 ft.), the most prominent mountain in the Waunita region.

Indians held the original rights to the area, but in 1883, Robert Moore homesteaded 160 acres surrounding the springs. In 1884, the Hot Springs were sold to Dr. Charles Davis, a physician from Chicago. He built a hotel, swimming pool and other facilities. The resort was known then as Waunita Hot Radium Springs and became well-known as a resort for invalids and others afflicted with dreaded rheumatism. Other activities for guests included horseback riding, picnics, dances and various activities. Dr. Davis and other family members owned the resort until 1952. The resort had been in decline for several years by this time.

Two co-owners bought the property in 1952, but did little with the resort but to keep it open. In 1956, it was sold again and used as a baseball training camp for young boys. It was known then as Monarch Baseball Camp. Soon, this declined also and the property was sold in 1962 to present owners Rod and Junelle Pringle. This was a major move for Mr. & Mrs. Pringle and their 3 young sons making a move from Houston, Texas.

Today, Waunita Hot Springs Ranch operates as a Dude (Guest) Ranch. All ranch activities and meals are included in one price. Each guest is assigned a horse for the week and has riding opportunities each day--Monday through Saturday. Also included: whitewater rafting, trips to nearby scenic/historical locations, fishing trip, cattle penning contest, Gunnison shopping trip (we skipped this), overnight campout, trail cookouts, square dancing (with instruction), and a music show put on by the Pringle family.

The ranch also offers guided hunting trips during the hunting season and bed and breakfast accommodations during the winter season for skiiers (for nearby Monarch Ski Resort) and other groups. Rod and Junelle Pringle still live and work at the ranch along with their son Ryan and his wife Tammy.

Settling in at our Ranch Home

After checking in, we settle in to our comfortable accommodations in the upstairs of the main lodge building. Soon, we go down for the Sunday afternoon softball game. Kelly participates in the softball game while Barbara and I are spectators.

Later, we're ready for our first Waunita Ranch meal. It is delicious as are all of the meals for the entire week. Meals are a nice variety of Western and Southern style home cooking. You can count on plenty of good food and snacks all week!

After dinner, everyone assembles in the dining hall for the orientation for the week's activities and the introduction of guests. After that, we're off to our room for some restful sleep.

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Train Excursion - 1889 Mrs. Dow Helmers Collection

Same Spot near the Palisades - 1998

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