Located in the Stanley Valley, adjacent to the Sawtooth
National Recreation Area and Sawtooth Wilderness, this former exclusive,
invitation only club, is now a five star Guest Ranch that offers full amenities
that rival nearly any luxury resort that you can think of, just like it did
nearly 80 years ago.
Morning typically starts out with a sunrise spectacle of the
Sawtooth Range in all its splendor while you linger over a cup of coffee, tea,
or hot chocolate. Breakfast is a typical ranch fair, with pancakes, eggs
and bacon, as well as a special of some sort. Dinner is nothing short of
spectacular, designed by the resident chef, Andrew Machanic, it will be certain
to amaze and delight the weary traveler after a long day of activities.
Among the daily activities, the world class fishing in the
Salmon River, or if you prefer, river rafting the rapids (up to class III and
IV) of the upper Salmon. Mountain biking and hiking/backpacking can also
be found in the nearby Sawtooth Wilderness area, or if you prefer, horseback
riding for 1/2 to full day trips can be arranged. There is also a
catch-and-release pond on the property, although we found the trout in the pond
to have an exceedingly high IQ compared to common river trout.
After a day of activities, and fine dining, the day is nicely
wrapped up with a soak in the hot spring fed pool at the lower ranch (a short
drive, or moderate walk if you prefer).
Ranch History from Idaho
Rocky Mountain Ranch :
The Ranch property originally was part of Stanley Basin
pioneer Dave Williams’ homestead. It was acquired in 1929 by New York
Frigidaire executive Winston Paul, who began building the Idaho Rocky Mountain
Club. A crew of 60 men, among them a blacksmith and stonemason, camped on the
Ranch property in the fall of 1929 until they were forced to leave by severe
winter weather. Construction began with the snaking of logs up Williams and Gold
Creek to the Big Meadow chosen as the Lodge site. The crews returned the
following spring to complete construction, and the Idaho Rocky Mountain Club
opened that summer as an invitation-only guest facility.
A hydroelectric plant, whose log structure housing still stands at the willowed
bend in the pond, generated power for the IRMC providing the first electricity
in the Sawtooth Valley. Several of the original power gauges can also still be
found around the Ranch.
The Ranch has been fortunate to have had only four
owners, all of whom have had great respect for the rich history and environment
of the Ranch and valley. Guests today enjoy the Ranch much as did the first
guests in 1930. The Main Lodge and nearly all the guest cabins are original.
Austrian clothing manufacturer Josef Lanz purchased the
IRMC from Mr. Paul, but the outbreak of World War II brought the operation to a
close. In 1951, Pocatello, Idaho automobile dealer Edmund A. Bogert purchased
the Ranch and introduced a new era. The Idaho Rocky Mountain Club became the
Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, in name and operation. Mr. Bogert began a program of
leveling, fertilizing and planting, and earned the 1958 Custer County Grassman
of the Year Award. He also built the Rokmor purebred Hereford herd that grazed
the Ranch pastures until Mr. Bogert’s passing in 1975.
In 1977 Rozalys Smith, Ruth and Ed Bogert’s daughter,
began her proprietorship of the IRMR. The proud 54-year stewardship of the Smith
family continued until February 2005.
The tradition of family ownership of the Ranch
continues with current owners Steve and Courtney Kapp, and David Singer and
Diana Kapp, who among them have 6 children. Hiking, biking and fly fishing
enthusiasts, they fell in love with the Sawtooths while exploring them during
frequent visits to their Sun Valley home. Their purchase of the Ranch ensures
preservation of the Ranch history and guest operation, and continuing family
adventures.