It’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together
Many students have sped by the sign labeled “Hardware Ranch” as they cruise into Logan, but few ever experience the winding drive through the scenic, snow-covered canyon that leads to the ranch.
According to Marni Lee, assistant manager of Hardware Ranch, they are definitely missing out.
Located on Highway 101 just east of Hyrum, Hardware Ranch offers the chance to go on a 20-minute horse-drawn sleigh ride through herds of elk stationed across the sprawling 14,000 acres.
“I’m surprised at how many people have never been here,” Lee said. “It’s an amazing resource, and it’s right in your backyard.”
Named after the Box Elder Hardware Company, which originally owned the land, Hardware Ranch is managed by the state and began in 1945 as a solution to elk migration down the canyon. The ranch set a feeding program in place that limits possible conflict between Cache Valley residents and the elk. Owned by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Lee said the ranch allows hunting and is funded primarily by hunter sportsmen’s donations.
Lee said the elk-feeding program begins around November and lasts until the end of winter. Although it is public access property,the Hardware Ranch visitors Center and sleigh ride facility is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. till the end of the season.
For students and Cache Valley couples looking for an alternative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Lee said the ranch is a very unique spot that sees a lot of couples coming up for a romantic sleigh ride in the snow-capped mountains through fields of roaming elk.
Kelly Pitcher, who has been driving sleighs at Hardware Ranch for more than two years, said she recommends cozying up for a sleigh ride and then stopping by the Cracker Barrel, located on 8990 S. 200 West in nearby Paradise, to warm up and sample “the best prime rib in the state of Utah.”
For those planning to pop the question in the picturesque mountain setting, Lee said they are more than willing to help as long as they are notified in advance.
There are no reservations, so Lee suggested showing up early, since there is usually a half an hour to an hour wait. At $5 for adults and $3 for children under 9, Hardware ranch is also an affordable option.
“When Valentine’s Day falls on an open day, we get a lot of couples,” Lee said.
Although the property is open year round, Lee said they see the most activity during winter months when the elk are feeding and the sleighs are running. Since the sleigh rides run during the coldest months in Logan, Lee cautions visitors to dress warm and bring blankets if they want.
“If you want to enjoy the ride, dress for the weather,” Lee said. “Bundle up with layers, and don’t wear heels.”
In addition to sleigh rides, the ranch offers an interactive visitor’s center where guests can take a hands-on approach to learning about the habitat around Hardware Ranch. Currently there is a large grizzly bear skin on display. Lee said while most of the artifacts in the center are from around the valley, they had the grizzly bear imported in to help teach about bear safety.
Hardware Ranch relies heavily on volunteer efforts, and Lee said the most recent addition to the visitor’s center was a sandbox created by Paradise resident Ty Anderson for an Eagle Scout project. There, guests can learn more about the tracks and create their own imprints in the sand using an elk leg.
Both Lee and Pitcher said they have all kinds of people who visit the ranch and contribute, many who have been coming since they were children.
“One guy came up today who came here 30 years ago when they used to have bales of hay on the sleighs,” Pitcher said, chuckling. “But the elk started wanting to get on the ride, so they had to stop that.”
Pitcher is a retired fire chief who said he works at Hardware Ranch because he truly enjoys driving the horses and listening to stories.
“I like dealing with people,” Pitcher said, “hearing their stories and reminiscing with them.”
Not even the commute deters Pitcher, who said as long as people drive carefully and watch out for deer, the 30-minute drive is no reason not to go to Hardware Ranch.
“I would much rather drive through the canyon than through Main Street traffic,” said Pitcher, who commutes 30 miles from Smithfield.
Two more reasons to visit Hardware Ranch, Pitcher said, are the wild bald eagles that soar overhead and the warmer weather.
“It’s typically warmer up here, and we are above the nasty inversions,” Lee said.
For more information and complete directions, visit www.hardwareranch.com or call 753-6168.
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu