This is one of American Round-Up's favourite ranches for families as the childrens and teenage programme is superb, it also has the capacity to fulfil the expectation of advanced riders during the autumn when they hold their Ride, Ride, Ride and Horsemanship Cliincs.

Situated about two hours south west of Denver is a cattle and horse ranch set in the mountains on 40,000 acres of the Pike National Forest. Although only a short distance from Denver and Colorado Springs, it's the last nine miles you will remember forever. That's where the pavement ends and your adventure begins.

One, two and three bedroom cabin suites are cozy, comfortable and immaculately serviced. Half of the twenty-four one to three-bedroom cabin suites are single-family structures with living rooms, oversized queen or king beds, Louis L'Amour paperbacks on the fireplace mantel and wall-to-wall carpeting. There are more than 26,000 acres of the Pike National Forest here for you to explore. Well-marked trails follow old logging roads, criss-cross ridge tops that wind through stands of shimmering aspens.

Rides are scheduled every morning and afternoon and are geared to the different skill levels, such as raw beginner or advanced. Lengths of rides also vary; some are two hours and some are all day jaunts. Guests can ride as much as they want, and it's doubtful if any guests head home grumbling he couldn't get enough saddle time. Each and every batch of their vittles are home cooked from scratch. Healthy, hearty and delicious.

Breakfast may include eggs, bacon, pancakes, French toast, at least one kind of fruit, cereals and juice. For lunch and dinner you might feast on lasagna, baked chicken, hamburgers, steak, Tex-mex dishes, home-baked bread and delicious deserts. A special diet menu is also available. Most meals are served in the main dining room. But, you'll be delighted to discover how lunch in the meadow or from your saddlebag tastes. This particular ranch is famous for it's outstanding youngsters programmes. They arrange their children's activities for different ages. Teens are treated as young adults and have evening as well as daytime programmes.

Ages 2 and under Babysitting - This is your option and opportunity to enjoy morning and afternoon rides and evening adult activities. This one-on-one babysitting is available at a nominal hourly rate.

Ages 3 to 5 - Days usually begin with walking their horse in the arena/corral, adjusting saddles and receiving riding instructions; then hitting the trail for a ride. Children not wanting to ride have supervised activities such as crafts, nature walks, playground games and story telling.

Ages 6 to 12 Morning meeting with "Big Bob" (our own Mr. Rogers) followed by a trail ride around the ranch. Lunch is sometimes at the pool or in the meadow; then it's back in the saddle for more instruction and riding or just hangin' out - a little fishing, some field games or maybe a guided hike. They'll never get bored.

Teen Programs - At Lost Valley Ranch, they usually let the young adults help their counsellors plan what they want to do. Horseback riding is always available but there are other favorites like river tubing, hiking, fishing, barrel racing, calf roping and evening dances. You will never hear "I've got nothing to do".

Ride Ride Ride - 19-26 September 2010 A must for the rider looking to spend long days in the saddle exploring remote wilderness areas that surround Lost Valley. Nine to ten hour days and up are not uncommon. Sometimes rides begin at the ranch and end at the ranch, while others begin with horse and riders being trailered out to the back country and riding back to the ranch. Guests are given at least two horses to ride due to the mileage and energy expended during these rides. Hot baths, hot food and soft beds complement each day.