Notes from the host
Bearpaw Ranch
The Pond Cabin at Bearpaw Ranch is perfect for a small family or 2 couples. It is a beautifully crafted log cabin with two bedrooms. Our guests like to just sit on the porch in the shade and soak in the serenity. It sits on a gentle creek which feeds one of our 4 ponds, with the Gila River just beyond that. The kitchen is all decked out in antique style and you can learn to do some creative baking with the 1927 gas range. It does have a modern apartment size frig, and we've managed to provide modern conveniences such as toaster, microwave, coffeemaker, etc in the small kitchen without sacrificing its rustic charm.
The two full-size beds don fluffy white sheets on excellent quality mattresses. There is a loveseat in the living area that can accommodate another person.
This cabin is situated at the end of the road...the last cabin on the ranch. The serenity and solace is the most mentioned quality that our guests refer to. Imagine having a tree-filled park with a pond just outside your front door. The pond has an island where you can lounge the day away on the hammock. Hundreds of species of birds are spotted there and along the river just beyond the pond. Or row around the pond on the boat, throw in a line, and see if you can catch a bass or catfish. Catch and release fishing is allowed on all of my ponds.
When you want to wander a bit you will find that the ranch is great middle point in which to explore everything that the Gila Wilderness has to offer. We are just a short drive down from the Turkey Creek entrance to the wilderness, and the Mogollon/Glenwood area is just 20 miles up Hwy 180. Silver City is a beautiful 40 minute drive away where you will find numerous museums, coffee shops, restaurants, galleries, and shops.
Ideal for hiking, horseback riding, hunting and fishing, Bearpaw Ranch is also close to Bill Evans fishing lake and a short drive up to the Gila wilderness. Our property lies on the Gila River and so you will have complete access.
We have a large barn and fenced field if you are bringing your horses. Ideal for hunting in the fall and winter. The wilderness begins a few miles up the road. Perfect for hiking and climbing, and bird-watching. There is a wild-bird preserve just a few miles south of us. Of course the bosque here on the property affords great access to spotting numerous bird species.
We are located just a few miles from the Gila Wilderness. Our property straddles the Gila River and the bosque is delightful for bird-watching. You will enjoy walking about the property and watching the wildlife on and around our ponds. You will have complete access to the river and you can enjoy the hiking, rafting and bird-watching that the river and its habitat provide.
In addition, ours is a premier location for star-gazing. New Mexico is the only state in the union with night light legislation and Gila is one of the darkest places in the country. The property has a large flat hill that is a premium spot for night sky observation and we have hosted several amateur astronomers over the years.
Bearpaw Ranch also has barns and fenced fields for horses and is an excellent place to stay with your horses.
Silver City is 30 miles to the southeast and has many art galleries and restaurants. Bearpaw Ranch is a great place to stay during the Blues Festival, the World Class bicycle races, or the Wild West Rodeo. The hotels in Silver City fill up, but you can take the short drive out to the Gila and rest in the quiet and peace, refueling for another fun time enjoying Silver City's great events.
In the mountains north of Silver City you can visit the old western town of Pinos Altos, and continue up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. A visit to the copper mines is also a must, with a stop at Lake Roberts on the way! Also on this trip you can stop in San Lorenzo at the winery and/or the bakery! Lovely day trip!
To the northwest of us is historic Mogollon with its art gallery, antique shop, and museum. Near Mogollon is the little village of Glenwood, with the state fish hatchery and the famous Catwalk. The Catwalk is a favorite hiking spot with a lovely picnic area.
There is plenty to do in the area, but many folks find that they are content to walk around the property, visit our horses, watch our ducks swim around in the pond, or just sit and listen to the quiet. This is a perfect retreat if you just want to get away...far away from the rat race. This is real out-west country living.
RANCH EATS! There's just one drawback to how wonderfully isolated we are. No restaurants. But, we've solved that problem for you. We have a semi-retired chef who will prepare and deliver wonderful meals to you. It is a limited menu but all scrumptious!!! We will provide details at booking.
We have 4 cabins here that are all separated by a very distant & comfortable space. At least 200 yards apart with plenty of trees. See also the Adobe vrbo # 472149 and the Gatehouse vrbo #173566
We also have the GIla Townhouse which is a 3bedroom beautifully restored Brick house in downtown Gila
Keywords: wilderness, ranch, stars, Gila, cabin, birding, river
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Hosted byRose Shoemaker
