Slideshow

Slide Show: Southern Oregon's Top Secret Alpine Ranch Resort

October 4, 2012

Nestled in a hidden valley—home to ranchers since the 19th century when the area was known as Vistillas—Aspen Ridge Resort offers 14,000 alpine acres to explore.

Photography by Courtesy Aspen Ridge Resort

The Simmons have been operating Aspen Ridge as a working cattle ranch since 1975. Get in on the fun with trail rides led by their very able ranch hands.

Photography by Courtesy Alpine Ridge Resort

Aspen Ridge's 1,200-square-foot cabins (from $180) come equipped with kitchens and enough room for a family of six to curl up comfortably. Planning to eat in Aspen Ridge's restaurant? Book into one of the cozy lodge rooms (from $90).

Photography by Courtesy Aspen Ridge Resort

Aspen Ridge's restaurant serves hearty meals with plenty of meat on the menu (this is, after all, a cattle ranch), but vegetarian plates are available. Eating in? Swing by the Buffalo Saloon afterward for a convivial nightcap with your neighbors.

Photography by Courtesy Aspen Ridge Resort

Drink in the moon and a few million stars from your own porch, serenaded by the whisper of wind through meadow grass.

Photography by Courtesy Aspen Ridge Resort

Tucked high in the mountains west of Lakeview, you don't arrive at Aspen Ridge Resort on accident. The paved (ish) forest service road to this working cattle ranch starts from the back of a Sno-Park at the summit of Quartz Mountain, winding 10 miles through the Fremont National Forest before delivering you to an alpine clearing straight out of A River Runs Through It. Nestled in the forest along its edges, a cluster of cabins and the main lodge make up Aspen Ridge Resort. For 20 years, Karen and Steve Simmons have helped city slickers embrace a slower pace of life with horse riding, hiking, and pure and simple porch sitting. It's the perfect place to spend a long weekend watching Oregon's autum unfurl across a spectacular landscape.

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