12-20-2007, 01:09 AM
[size 1]HYRUM - You can take a sleigh ride that will put you in the middle of as many as 600 wild elk.
Horse-drawn sleigh rides take visitors among the elk herd that feeds in the ranch's large, snow-covered meadow.
Photo by Marni Lee
The rides are available five days a week at the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
Hardware Ranch is 17 miles east of Hyrum. Its winter elk viewing season began Dec. 13. The WMA offers the following during its winter season:
Sleigh rides
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Utah's state mammal by taking a sleigh ride through a herd of up to 600 Rocky Mountain elk.
The sleigh rides last 20 to 30 minutes. They wind through the center of the elk herd and make occasional stops so you can get a perfect photograph.
During the rides, the sleigh drivers share the history of the ranch and explain why the elk behave like they do. They're also happy to answer questions you might have.
The sleighs are pulled by a team of large breed draft horses. If snow conditions get poor, the sleighs can be converted into wagons.
Visitor center
In addition to the sleigh rides, the Hardware Ranch WMA also operates a visitor center. The center has interactive wildlife displays and staff who can answer your questions.
When it's open
The WMA's winter season should run until March 17. The ranch is open during the following days and times:
Monday: noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.
Friday: noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
If you want to take a ride through the elk herd, you must buy a ticket at the visitor center before 4:30 p.m. The last sleigh ride leaves at 4:30 p.m.
The sleigh rides cost $5 for those nine years of age and older, and $3 for those four to eight years old. Children three years of age and younger can ride for free.
How to get there
The Hardware Ranch WMA is located at mile marker 22 on SR-101 in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. The ranch is about 115 miles north of Salt Lake City (about a two-hour drive). It's about 17 miles east of Hyrum and 22 miles southeast of Logan.
Good lodging, food and entertainment are readily available in Cache Valley, within 45 minutes of the ranch. The roads up Blacksmith Fork Canyon are usually plowed and sanded by noon each day.
For more information about the Hardware Ranch WMA, call (435) 753-6206 or visit hardwareranch.com on the Web.
Hardware Ranch is a wildlife management area owned and operated by the Division of Wildlife Resources. It provides important big game winter range for elk, deer and moose. [/size]
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Horse-drawn sleigh rides take visitors among the elk herd that feeds in the ranch's large, snow-covered meadow.
Photo by Marni Lee
The rides are available five days a week at the Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area.
Hardware Ranch is 17 miles east of Hyrum. Its winter elk viewing season began Dec. 13. The WMA offers the following during its winter season:
Sleigh rides
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Utah's state mammal by taking a sleigh ride through a herd of up to 600 Rocky Mountain elk.
The sleigh rides last 20 to 30 minutes. They wind through the center of the elk herd and make occasional stops so you can get a perfect photograph.
During the rides, the sleigh drivers share the history of the ranch and explain why the elk behave like they do. They're also happy to answer questions you might have.
The sleighs are pulled by a team of large breed draft horses. If snow conditions get poor, the sleighs can be converted into wagons.
Visitor center
In addition to the sleigh rides, the Hardware Ranch WMA also operates a visitor center. The center has interactive wildlife displays and staff who can answer your questions.
When it's open
The WMA's winter season should run until March 17. The ranch is open during the following days and times:
Monday: noon to 5 p.m.
Thursday: noon to 5 p.m.
Friday: noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: noon to 5 p.m.
If you want to take a ride through the elk herd, you must buy a ticket at the visitor center before 4:30 p.m. The last sleigh ride leaves at 4:30 p.m.
The sleigh rides cost $5 for those nine years of age and older, and $3 for those four to eight years old. Children three years of age and younger can ride for free.
How to get there
The Hardware Ranch WMA is located at mile marker 22 on SR-101 in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. The ranch is about 115 miles north of Salt Lake City (about a two-hour drive). It's about 17 miles east of Hyrum and 22 miles southeast of Logan.
Good lodging, food and entertainment are readily available in Cache Valley, within 45 minutes of the ranch. The roads up Blacksmith Fork Canyon are usually plowed and sanded by noon each day.
For more information about the Hardware Ranch WMA, call (435) 753-6206 or visit hardwareranch.com on the Web.
Hardware Ranch is a wildlife management area owned and operated by the Division of Wildlife Resources. It provides important big game winter range for elk, deer and moose. [/size]
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