Chewack River Guest Ranch & Riding Stables

What a way to take in the beauty and ranch life of Winthrop. The two hour trail ride offered amazing panoramic views of the mountains valleys and lake. Horses were the best sure footed all the way. Our guide was the best leading the way with her trusty cattle healer dogs. Charolais cows and new calves in May couldn’t be better!

We went for a two-​hour ride and loved it. We were able to book the afternoon prior, and the horses were saddled up and ready for us when we arrived. Don was our guide and took us over the most lovely mountain path where we saw some of his cattle grazing up close. The views were amazing. Highly recommend!

Had a fantastic weekend riding and spending time on the west coast with our dear friends. Don and Chris were great hosts and made sure we were happy. The rooms are very comfortable and clean. We will be back!

Chewack River Guest Ranch is the BEST! I just threw my husband a surprise party at the ranch – 22 of our friends spent the weekend-​everyone had the best time! The cabins are perfect and Don & Chris were wonderful hosts. Some of us went on an amazing horse back ride – beautiful horses and gorgeous scenery. We can’t wait to go back (hopefully in October!) Thanks Don & Chris!

I’m on the «PITA» list!
To be fair check out
Email #1 From Me
17 July, 2012 at 1:15 pm
Sent to:
Don–
This past weekend I visited Winthrop, and your ranch for the first time. Compared to all of the other local lodging options, it was your website touting the cool location, BBQ and new hot tub that most influenced my decision.
On Friday, immediately after our 4+ hour drive from Seattle, I was very disappointed that the hot tub was mostly empty, and what little water was in it was brown. After seeing this I asked about it, but nobody could give a clear answer if or when it’d be fixable or not. The BBQ was dirty, appeared to be broken, and the lawn area was a mess of water hoses, sprinklers and dog poop. And there wasn’t really anyone around to check up on us after we arrived. It seemed like the place was neglected and that we were on our own. Plus I was stuck with the nagging feeling I’d made a poor decision in booking this room. So we dropped off our bags and headed into town for dinner. By the time we got back to the ranch it was dark, very windy, and the sky was alive with thunder and lightning. That night we enjoyed the company of one of the friendly dogs, the sound of the creek, and watching the night sky in your adirondack chairs.
Saturday morning we were set to go on a horseback ride, but when I found out it would be with 16 other people, (10 of which were children) I opted to reschedule for a private ride later in the afternoon. Then around 3:30 the wind started blowing, followed by the rain, then the roof flew off across the street. I’m really glad no people or animals were hurt. Much later, after the rain let up I boiled some corn on the cob and BBQ’d a couple of New York steaks. That evening we enjoyed the fresh air and the beautiful views with our meal.
I really don’t care about little things, like the dog poop, and nobody can control the weather. But when traveling, I’m accustomed to having a proprietor check up on me, ask if there’s anything I need, and let me know how to contact them if I do. You along with everyone else were always busy and it never seemed a good time to ask a question or a have quick talk. You have a beautiful ranch but I don’t know if this experience was normal and our expectations too high, or something else. In any case I wanted to give you this feedback.
Sincerely,
Greg
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Email #2 From
(Chris)
17 July, 2012 at 5:15 pm
Dear Greg
Hi yes we know how the yard normally have it all mowed and nice, but the ranch side of our life just went bonkers and all of our equipment broke, 2 tractors, swather, bailer, and also our lawn tractor and weed whacker, the hot tub has been broke for awhile we are waiting for a part, we live so far from anything and it’s tough to get anyone to come here or to get parts, the bar b q well I should have checked that sorry, and most people who come here just like to do there own thing and we see and talk to some but we are in the middle of hay season and things just went to pot, so sorry, but we hope you come back again and we will try to visit with you and have things way nicer.
All the equipment is fixed, so things are looking up!
Sincerely
Chris LUNDGREN
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Email #3 from Me
17 July, 2012 at 9:49 pm
Chris–
Try this. Imagine if the webpage for the ranch had read as your email:
Come and visit our…
Broken Hot Tub
Broken BBQ
Broken Weed Whacker
Broken Lawn Mower
Hard to get parts!
Things are Bonkers!
Most people that come here do their own thing, we just ignore everyone
Come by when things are way nicer!
Would you book a room there?
Probably not.
Hopefully you get my point and see the humor.
Please refund one day back to my card.
Thanks,
Greg
— — — — — — — — — — — —
Email #4 From
(Chris)
17 July, 2012 at 10:03 pm
from Chris
We will refund your night.
Congratulations you are now on the pita, list,
Sincerely
Chris LUNDGREN

Simple cabins with ride from your door snowmobile access to the National Forest trails. Snowmobile rentals available. Hot tub on site for all cabins to use. No daily maid service, fuel, or food at the ranch. No TV, cable, movies, cell phone service, or wi-​fi.
Not recommended for skiers, as this is a ranch that rents snowmobiles and yes, they can be loud sometimes.
Not recommended for people that don’t like dogs, as this is a ranch and there are several friendly ranch dogs running around.
Not recommended for snowmobilers that like to be pampered with fireside cocktails and warm pine nuts — go to Sun Mountain Lodge if that’s what you want. This ranch is for hardcore snowmobilers that like to keep it casual and set their own schedule for riding and eating. Kitchens in three cabins make family-​style meals fun and covered porch outside lets you mingle and visit while staying dry.
Good riding in late January and early February. Excellent grooming program in the area — they use a planer for a completely smooth trail. Check out Sweetgrass Butte on a clear sunny day for the best views or head to Conconully (80 miles round trip) for lunch and riding.