Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Wit's End Guest Ranch

Wit’s End Guest Ranch and Spa is the perfect vacation place! I had a wonderful time and can’t wait to go there again. From the owners and employees to the accommodations, food and activities – you just can’t beat it!

Jim and Karen Custer, the owners, have created a little bit of heaven on earth. Truly! Of course, they can’t take credit for the scenery, which is breathtaking, but they did buy the ranch and made it into the fantastic place it is today. The ranch sits in a lush valley surrounded by mountains with access to nearby Lake Vallecito, not to mention the many mountain streams and “chain of lakes”, as they’re called, on the property, and the view – the mountains – extraordinary!

The cabins are lovely. My cabin had a cozy living room with a fireplace, reading materials and games; the kitchen was stocked with dishes, glasses, silverware, coffeepot and coffee, refrigerator (with soft drinks), a stove if needed (though I took all my meals in the Lodge), and a basket of “goodies” which seemed to re-stock itself! My bedroom was large with a queen bed and the most comfortable mattress, lovely linens, extra pillows and blankets in the closet along with an ironing board and iron, while the bathroom had a nice stock of “thirsty” towels, hair-blower and amenities. There was a large comfortable porch off the front with a wonderful porch swing – perfect for relaxing and just taking in the view – and seating for at least 4-5 others, and a porch off the bedroom! I could have moved in for good!

I missed the opening social hour on Saturday night as I had travel issues and arrived late. Brandon, one of the staff, picked me up at the airport, called ahead, and when I arrived, there was a lovely dinner waiting for me – steak, salmon, herb-crusted mashed potatoes and broccoli; it was wonderful. Karen Custer and two of her managers, Debi and Karla graciously kept me company while I ate though I knew they must have had a long day. I had a wonderful time getting to know them. I had missed the sign up for the next day activities (which occurs prior to dinner each evening) only to find that Brandon had taken the time to sign me up for the Sunday orientations for horse-back riding and fly-fishing. So I was set! My whole week went that way – all the employees take out the time to make sure that you’re very well taken care of!

I concentrated mainly on the horse-back riding – the primary reason for me being at a guest ranch – and I had a ball! I haven’t been riding for 18 years…so I was starting all over again and loved it. Jesse Smith the barn manager/wrangler took very good care of me…giving me horses that were the perfect fit and with some variety in personalities so the horses wouldn’t get tired of me! The trail rides are two hours long and take you through beautiful Wit’s End property and the public lands they have permission to use. Our rides varied each time we went out - riding through fields of wildflowers, mountain streams, marshes and by Lake Vallecito….we saw many deer, including bucks, muskrats swimming, blue herons, osprey, and one day…coyotes! The horses are so well trained and accustomed to all the wildlife that they never even “blinked” at them! We were in good hands – both those of the wranglers and the horses!

There were so many activities at the ranch….and yet, I only did horse-back riding….I can’t wait to go back and try the rest….fly-fishing (I did learn a few moves during orientation and found out that I like it!! A few of my friends here at home are into fly-fishing, so perhaps I’ll join them.) They also have hiking, mountain biking, trail walks, trap-shooting, overnight camp trips in the mountains, breakfast and lunch horse-back rides; day trips (extra cost) for the Silverton-Durango narrow gauge rail trip, as well as a trip to the Mesa Verde Indian ruins. And if you want, which I did, an afternoon trip to Durango for shopping! And plenty of activities both for children and teens with programs and activity leaders for both groups. By the way, all the young people at the ranch appeared to have a good time, even with their parents – even the teens!

The meals were delicious. Continental breakfast starts at 6:00 am, followed by a hot breakfast at 7:30 am; lunch at noon with a lovely menu of a variety of salads, cold sandwiches, hot sandwiches and a daily special. I don’t know how they did it really! So many offerings –three times a day – did the kitchen ever close?? Dinner had something for everyone….steak, lamb, rabbit, elk, pork, chicken, fish (trout, sole, red snapper)….different fare every evening with lovely sides, and desserts. Two evenings are barbeques – our first one was rained out and the ranch did a lovely BBQ evening in the Lodge without skipping a beat, though they had to rearrange the entire evening. The BBQ we did have outdoors was wonderful - the food, the ambiance, the entertainment ….the campfire….complete with ghost stories by the guests! And the whole evening was preceded by a hay ride!

There was a social hour preceding dinner every evening. Everyone gathered at the Lodge to sign up for activities for the next day…and it was a great way to keep meeting the more of the guests and hearing about what they did each day.

The farewell dinner on Friday night is followed by award presentations to the children and teens; everyone gets a certificate specifically stating their award along with a horseshoe! Ivy, who heads the activity programs for the children, had them put on a little presentation – very cute – and the kids giggled and laughed and obviously enjoyed doing it for the lodge audience.

There’s a wonderful dance floor in the lodge and there was dancing several times that week! But Friday night there was also Karaoke! Some people braved the mike alone, others sang in groups - even some of the employees joined in. What fun! And, potentially some serious singers in the crowd!

Amazingly, Wit’s End, and the fantastic staff/employees make the whole week come together in such a seemingly effortless way, yet you can see that they have a lot to do running a ranch this size with so much going on. It’s a tremendous credit to the owners and their employees who all obviously work very hard, yet, were always available, cheerful, helpful and took time out to learn who the guests were what they needed. I went on this vacation alone as none of my friends are into ranches, riding or outdoor activities, but I never felt alone. Everyone made sure of that!

Thank you to Jim and Karen Custer, Debi and Karla, Christopher, Kelly, and Jay (sp?); to Mark and Sharon; to Brandon, Sarah, Nick, Katie, Jody; Josh and T.J.; to wranglers Jesse, Herb, Kalli, Katie, Biggun, Kyle (I’m sure I left someone out); to Jack Denton, head wrangler/legend (see Paint Horse magazine, Sept. 2003 issue); to the wonderful and talented chefs and kitchen staff who I didn’t meet, but thank for all the wonderful and beautifully presented food; I would have gained 10 pounds if I hadn’t been active!; and to Judy, Milton, Patsy – to all of you for making me “so at home!