Trophy Mountain Ranch History

Cowdrey, Colorado  

Once the Indians alone claimed the pristine forests and mountain meadows known as North Park Colorado. Here they hunted the abundant herds of buffalo, elk, deer, big horn sheep, moose, and antelope as they made their way through the mountain pass at "North Gate." Then the trappers and fur traders discovered the beaver, mountain lion, bobcats and bears plentiful in these woods. One winter a very industrious hunter made his fortune hunting game and selling it to the Fort Collins miners. Soon after, they discovered gold on Independence Mountain, from which the clear mountain stream, Three Mile Creek, weaves its path to the North Platte River. (Three Mile Creek runs through the heart of Trophy Mountain Ranch, sustenance to Three Mile Reservoir).

It was apparent to the Indians that they would no longer be able to keep this paradise exclusively for themselves. In a final attempt to rid the area of intruders, they threatened the miners: 'leave or be killed'. Many fled, and those who did not, met their end at the hands of Chief Colorow and his warriors. With the cavalry in pursuit, Colorow and his marauding band torched the forest, setting hundreds of miles of forest along Colorado's continental divide ablaze. 'If he couldn't have it, no one could.' He was captured after a fierce fight at Battle Mountain just across the border in Wyoming. Where the brush and timber was burned, new life returned, and homesteaders making their way West discovered grasslands unlike any they had ever seen before. So many stayed and built their future in cattle, timber, and outfitting. Those who are lucky enough to pass this way are continually reminded of those treasures the Indians fought so valiantly to protect. That is why this mountain ranch truly is a "Trophy."

The faint remains of Indian teepee rings and artifacts remain on and around the ranch today. The nearby forests are dotted with weathered teepee poles from the hunting camps of yesteryear. Indian burial trees hold but few remains from their occupant of long ago. And the trees along the continental divide, still scarred from the burning fires of Colorow, have now reached maturity. The area is still abundant with wildlife that flourish in this natural, pristine environment. Hunting, which has always played a vital role in this area, continues to be its lifeblood, and will most certainly dominate its future.

Trophy Mountain Ranch is surrounded by National Forest. Large ranches (such as Big Creek and Stateline owned by Gates Rubber Company and The Silver Spur Land and Cattle Company owned by Malone of TCI Cable) comprise hundreds of thousands of acres to the North, West and South of the Forest properties. Mount Zirkel Wilderness lies just 15 miles to the West. And the North Platte Wilderness lies approximately six miles to the East. The ranch is approximately six miles from Blue Ribbon Trout Fishing along the North Platte River to the East. Colorado State Highway 125 is two miles from the Ranch entrance. It is 15 miles to Cowdrey and 22 miles to Walden, CO.

Information obtained from Orvie Waldron, and "North Park" by Hazel Gresham.

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