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In 2008 we make our much-anticipated move from Papoose Creek to The Lodge at Sun Ranch. Why the transition? Those who have visited Sun Ranch can attest that the location's beauty is reason enough. Additionally, the transition enables us to push for heightened eco-accountability, more luxurious accommodations, and improved activity programming. The end result is a superior guest experience than was possible at the quaint, however limited, Papoose Creek Lodge.
The new Lodge sits at the center of the 26,000-acre Sun Ranch. Surrounded by pastoral grasslands and framed by the towering Madison and Gravelly Mountain ranges, Sun Ranch is one of Montana's most magnificent settings. From The Lodge's private balconies and porches, guests enjoy views of expansive landscapes and witness the workings of a century-old, historic cattle ranch. Sun Ranch Agriculture's headquarters are located adjacent to the new facility, where cowboys come and go on horseback as they tend to 1,600 head of cattle. Lush native grasses ripple in the wind, evidence of progressive land management that has rolled the clock back to Montana's frontier era.
Abundant wildlife mingle among the cattle, proof that twenty-first century ranchers are doing things right. The Lodge at Sun Ranch invites guests to stay at the heart of where it all happens.
Perhaps the greatest benefit is an increased sense of solitude. The Lodge at Sun Ranch is located over three miles off the highway; the perfect distance to afford privacy, but also quick access to the Madison Valley's recreational opportunities. The drive up the Sun Ranch road is worth the trip alone.
Exiting off the blacktop, the Sun Ranch road passes through Moose Creek Canyon, densely forested on one side and grass covered on the other. Elk, deer and moose graze along the creek bottom. In the rear view mirror, the highway disappears from site. The road crests onto an expanse of grassland savanna, speckled with grazing livestock, wildlife and hawks that thermal overhead. The Madison Mountains sun themselves under the splendor of a big sky. And, in the distance, nestled among a grove of aspen and pine trees, The Lodge at Sun Ranch stands sentinel.
The 10,000-square foot Lodge at Sun Ranch more than doubles our previous location in size. It is a growth in quality, not quantity. We continue to operate with only eight accommodations, hosting a maximum of 18 guests. Guests now enjoy an expanded dining area, with a walk-out patio for dining outdoors. The Great Room features vaulted ceilings and exposed log-beam construction, all centered on a flagstone hearth fireplace. A business center with wireless internet and an executive-worthy desk allows for checking-up on the outside world. Upstairs, the Montana Room is equipped with an extensive reading library, and a collection of DVD's to view on the television (Note: the TV does not get reception). The Lodge features numerous nooks and crannies, allowing guests to discover a private space all their own.
Rather than build a new lodge and unnecessarily disturb a virgin area of Sun Ranch, we chose to renovate an existing structure. The ranch's manor home was the obvious candidate. In renovating to meet commercial code, we took the opportunity to implement green building initiatives. During demolition, contractors salvaged all reusable materials and put them to use in the remodel. When additional building supplies were needed, we purchased recycled, low-impact materials from local suppliers. And, rather than build new cabins, we transported several cabins from Papoose Creek; themselves one hundred year old, recycled structures. As with Papoose Creek, all decorations, furnishings and linen supplies are purchased with a priority towards locally-produced, organic, and recycled materials.
Evolution is an admirable process of nature. When circumstances arise, the natural world adapts. The Lodge at Sun Ranch is just that; an adaptation. We've taken the seed of Papoose Creek and planted it in an environment to grow, nourished like always by the power of the Sun Ranch.
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