FAQs

1. What is the ranch’s capacity?

The most Lost Valley can handle is about 90 guests during the summer in our 24 cabins. We normally have about 60 staff to serve you at that time.  In the spring and fall our capacity is 55 guests with 30 staff.

2. What clothing should I bring?

Casual western is always appropriate at Lost Valley. Cowboy boots and jeans fit every occasion. The weather in Colorado can change rapidly so we encourage you to bring “layers” for which ever season you will be here. Evenings cool off quickly, so an appropriate jacket is also needed.

3. Can I bring my pet?

Unfortunately, no. Being a ranch we already have a number of dogs, cats as well as our herd of horses, cattle and other large animals. There is a real safety issue for them and your pet.  Additionally, out of consideration for other guests who will come next, we can’t have pets in our cabins.

4. What is the weather like?

Generally Colorado days are full of sunshine and in the summer a brief afternoon shower is typical. Our altitude of 7,300 feet means that we get significant solar heating, so even when the temperature is low the bright sun makes it feel warmer. But when the sun goes down it cools quickly so that any time of the year you can enjoy a fire in your cabin’s fireplace. Here are the seasonal specifics:
-Spring, our lows will average 14-29 degrees, and our highs 46-63 degrees.
-Summer our lows average 36-41 degrees and the highs between 73-80.
-Fall lows are around 12-32 degrees and the highs 46-69 degrees.

5. What are the Check-in and Check-out times?

Normal check-in time is 2:00 p.m. , except for weekend specials and then you can check-in after 4:00 pm. Normal check-out is 10:00  am, and for weekend specials it’s 2:00 pm.  Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

6. What is included in the rate I pay?

Lost Valley’s rates are all-inclusive: meals, horseback riding, all of our facilities, children’s and teen supervision, special programming and access to 40,000 gorgeous acres of the Pike National Forest!. The only additional costs would be if you chose to learn Orvis Fly Fishing, shoot Trap or sign up for massage therapy.

7. Do you serve alcohol?

We do not have a liquor license. You are free to bring your own and consume it in your cabin or let us know and we will pickup any wine, beer or liquor and have it in our cabin. It is our desire to have a family oriented atmosphere, therefore, we ask that you not bring your drinks into any of the public areas or our lodge at meals.

8. I heard there was a major forest fire at the ranch. What did it do?

The Hayman fire was in the summer of 2002 and it burned almost 140,000 acres of forest around the ranch. The ranch and our 500 acres were miraculously saved and the forest in the ensuing years has had abundant rain and the wild flowers, undergrowth and aspen trees are making a great recovery.

9. What about kids programs during the off-season?

During our Fall and Spring season we do not have a 6-12 or teen  supervised program. We do  offer our 3-5 year old supervised program and baby sitting for infants. For those children 6-12 and your teenagers, we offer a wide range of activities to enjoy with you that include horseback riding, fishing, hiking, square dancing, etc.

10. What if there is a need for emergency medical care?

All of our staff are Red Cross First Aid certified. A number of them even have Wilderness First Aid Advanced training. For minor issues or concerns hospital emergency rooms are only an hour and 20 minutes away. For major concerns EMTs can be at the ranch in 30 minutes or an evacuation helicopter in 25 minutes.

11. What about general safety for me and my family?

The ranch is delightfully isolated in the Pike National Forest. Our nearest neighbor is 7 miles away and the dirt road ends at our ranch. Folks come to Lost Valley to “get away” and here you are away from it all! Our staff is specially trained to watch out for all ages of our guests. All our cabins have dead-bolts and, if you desire, electronic card keys are available. At night we have a watchman who is up till about midnight and then after that time immediate phone access to one of the Foster’s is available at the front desk.

12. May I smoke at the ranch?

A new Colorado law restricts smoking in public places and all of our cabins are non-smoking. So we ask that you step outside before you light up.

13. What about mail delivery?

Even though we are in a remote location we have daily US mail service. We also have daily delivery and pick-up by UPS and Federal Express.

14. Does the ranch have phones, TV and cell service?

There are no phones or TVs in your cabin. In the lodge there are two phones for making outside calls. We encourage you to bring pre-paid phone cards or we sell them at the front desk. There is no cell phone coverage at Lost Valley.

15. What shopping options are there?

The ranch has a gift shop we call our Trading Post. In the front are gifts, western clothing as well as film, batteries or other sundries in case you forgot something. In the back is our Fountain serving soft drinks and wonderful ice cream concoctions. The nearest malls are 1 ½ to 2 hours away by car in either Colorado Springs or Denver.

16. What are the meal times?

Breakfast is normally served from 7:45 till 9:30am. Lunch is at 12:30 pm and dinner at 6:15 pm.

17. Does the ranch have a dress code?

No we don’t. Casual western is always in style here at the ranch. You might want to bring something special for square dancing, but even at dinner we want you to be relaxed.