The Devil’s Thumb Ranch branding on its butter
Just over an hour’s drive from Denver, lies a 6,000-acre expanse in a mountain-rimmed basin with the best steak in Colorado. And proximity and blue-ribbon beef are just two reasons why you need to shortlist Devil’s Thumb Ranch {83 County Road, Tabernash; 970.726.5632} under “culinary getaways of a lifetime.”
The ranch sits just outside the town of Winter Park, and encompasses multiple lodging options, private event space, restaurants, and wild acreage to explore on horseback, afoot, on mountain (or fat) bike, or on cross country skis. In the past couple years, the company has also grown to include two in-town lodges—Vasquez Creek Inn and Trailhead Inn—perfect for Winter Park skiers in the winter or summertime visitors eager to be near Hideaway Park, a popular music venue.
Helmed by Executive Chef Evan Treadwell and Executive Sous Chef Andrew Aghajanian, the restaurant portfolio of Devil’s Thumb Ranch is worth devoting a weekend to exploring. Here’s the lay of the culinary land at Devil’s Thumb Ranch (which, if you were wondering, is named for a thumb-shaped rock formation rising up from the Continental Divide across from the property).
A Devil's Thumb Ranch Timeline
A Devil's Thumb Ranch Timeline
1934: Margaret Radcliff is the first to settle here, establishing a small dairy farm
1946: The Yager brothers purchase the property and turn it into a lodge
1970s: Olympian Dick Taylor arrives and establishes a cross country ski course and lodge
1980s: After changing hands several times, the ranch shuts down
2001: The 6000-acre property becomes slated for development as a golf course. To preserve the wild nature of the property, local homeowner Bob Fanch swoops in and purchases it with the intent of developing just one to two-percent of the land.
Sustainability at Devil's Thumb Ranch
Sustainability at Devil's Thumb Ranch
- DTR has set a goal of being fully off the electrical grid in a decade.
- Geothermal energy provides in-floor heating throughout the lodge and also warms the pool and hot tub.
- Solar photovoltaics power the Ranch Creek Spa, water treatment facility, and High Lonesome Lodge.
- Efficient lighting, toilets, and showers.
Heck’s Tavern
Ranch House Restaurant
Volario’s and Caffé Giocondo
Pastry at the Devil’s Thumb Ranch
What to do when you’re not eating
Great food is always reason enough for us to travel, but there are many other reasons to make a visit to Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Here are a few more reasons to visit:
The uncorking room
- John L’s Wine Cellar: Ever tasted Malbecs and Pinots inside a room shaped like a wine barrel? Neither had we until we checked out the wine cellar at DTR. The uncorking room has an arced ceiling of cherry oak that makes you feel like you’re swimming inside an oaked Chardonnay. DTR uses this gorgeous room for private events as well as for special tasting of some of the 500-plus bottles stored here.
- Biking: Along with cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking, the trails here are fit for bikes—fat in the winter, mountain in the summer. Explore the property on wheels to work up an appetite for all the dining out you’ll be doing. Afterward, soak in the geothermally heated, sea-salt pool and hot tub, or spend some quality time in the sauna or steam room.
Fat biking at Devil’s Thumb Ranch
- Ranch Creek Spa: Hanging out at DTR is a relaxing endeavor in and of itself, but throw a massage or treatment into the mix and you’ll reach ridiculous levels of serenity. If you’re athletic, the Sports Recovery Massage incorporates stretching and will help unwind those tight muscles. All ingredients used are organic.
- Fun: If we had to wait out the apocalypse in one place, it would definitely be DTR. Why? You’d never grow bored with a Game Room that includes bowling, billiards, and air hockey, plus a 37-seat theater next door showing kids movies at 6pm and family movies at 8pm.
By Maya Silver | Editor
The post Culinary Destination: Devil’s Thumb Ranch appeared first on DiningOut Denver/Boulder.