Weather and Attire:
Red Reflet's housing area is
in the lower ranch, on the edge of the Big Horn Basin Desert at an elevation of
5000' or less. The upper ranch is in the cooler mountains and at an elevation up to8300'.
The different climates provide a dazzling array of wild flowers from early
spring through mid summer, so don't forget your camera and film.
The weather is unusually
sunny and the air is very dry. It is normally quite warm by mid-morning and cool
by later afternoon. We strongly recommend packing sunscreen, moisturizer, a
swimsuit and a hat for the daytime hours, as well as a raincoat and a medium weight
jacket for the cool evenings. We also recommend very comfortable hiking boots
for outings, and riding boots when
horseback riding (required for safety).
We can provide fanny packs,
water bottles and snacks. Also, although the Ranch does supply toiletry items, your preferred
brand may not be available. We are located in beautiful but remote
Wyoming so try to brig your personal needs, the store is 35 miles away!
The Area:
The small ranching community of Ten Sleep is a true example of western lifestyle. Located at the base of the Big Horn Mountains, the area is rich in fertile soil and waterways which make it perfect for raising cattle and sheep.
Near the present site of Casper on the Platte River, there was an Indian camp that the trappers called the Old Sioux Camp. To the north near the present site of Bridger, Montana, on the Clarks Fork River, was another Indian camp; these camps were located on the Indian trade route. Ten Sleep was midway between the two camps, so as Indians measured distance by travel time, Ten Sleep was the tenth night or "sleeps" between the two camps.
The area is full of history and is recognized as being the site of many historic battlegrounds between Indian tribes and the white man. Among those sites are the Bates Battle site, an engagement in which the Arapahoe were defeated by a coalition composed of US troops and the Shoshone. At the Dull Knife site, Dull Knife and Wild hog were defeated leaving the Big Horn Mountains under the control of the white man. Located a few miles south of Ten Sleep is the famous site of the Spring Creek Raid (on the Red Reflet Ranch). Here, cattle ranchers and sheep herders fought a bloody battle over grazing rights. The event eventually led to the end of the bitter rivalry between cattlemen an d sheep ranchers.
Scenic wonders ranging from mountain ranges, canyon and pure mountain streams, and lakes are everywhere. To the southwest of Ten Sleep, Castle Gardens present unusual stone caricatures of animals, castles and other objects of interest.
Worland was founded in 1906 on the west side of the Big Horn River. However, as the railroad moved into the area, tracks were laid to the east of the river. The town’s founders, eager to benefit from the railroad, agreed a move was necessary. During the winter, town residents slid their homes, businesses and belongings across the frozen Big Horn river and relocated at the town's present site.
William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody was born in Le Claire, Iowa in 1846. While he was still a child, his family moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. Cody left his home in Leavenworth, Kansas, at the young age of eleven. He herded cattle and worked as a driver on a wagon train, crossing the Great Plains several times. He went on to fur trapping and gold mining, then joined the Pony Express in 1860. After the Civil War, Cody scouted for the Army and gained the nickname "Buffalo Bill" as a hunter. Cody’s life in the West offered the stuff from which legends were made and he soon was popularized in newspaper accounts and dime novels.
Museums in the area:
Ten Sleep Pioneer Museum - Ten Sleep
Washakie Museum - Worland
The Greybull Museum - Greybull
The Buffalo Bill Historical Center - Cody |
