Saratoga, Wyoming RIVERBEND LODGE. page 1

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1 Saratoga, Wyoming RIVERBEND LODGE page 1

2 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE AREA Wyoming s rich history is laced with tales of transportation and trails as first the Native Americans, then the fur traders, mountain men and U.S. military, roamed and explored the Mountain West. In the early 1850s, after gold was discovered in Colorado and California, Americans began to move westward in increasing numbers. The Oregon Trail was the most popular westward route, but the Overland Trail from Kansas to California was its most well-known variant. Overland s route was developed by U.S. Army engineers seeking to shorten the time and distance west and to improve wagon transportation to Fort Bridger, located in what is today southwestern Wyoming. They were guided in their initial survey work by the famed mountain man Jim Bridger himself. The Overland Trail became the principal transcontinental stagecoach route, mail route and emigrant trail by the 1860s. In 1862, transportation entrepreneur Ben Holladay shifted his stagecoach route to the Overland Trail in part due to conflicts along the Oregon Trail. However, railroad surveys underway across the West foretold a not-too-distant future where people, supplies and mail could travel by rail, so Ben Holladay sold his company to Wells Fargo in Although the stagecoach line continued under Wells Fargo, the May 1869 completion of the Union Pacific transcontinental railroad located about 15 miles north of the Overland Trail in Carbon County, Wyoming ended the stagecoach era. The Overland Trail was used as a regional transportation route for some goods well into the 1890s. The Overland Trail Ranch takes its name from the Overland Trail, which crossed about 35 miles of what today constitutes Overland Trail Ranch lands. Parts of the path are still supporting transportation and commerce traditions today.

3 Come recreate, relax and unwind in seclusion and splendor at the Riverbend Lodge at the Overland Trail Ranch. Poised atop the banks of the beautiful North Platte River, Riverbend Lodge combines the comforts of a luxury retreat with the region s highestcaliber fishing, floating and outdoor recreation opportunities. The lodge is located in a quiet corner of south-central Wyoming, surrounded by inspiring views of the North Platte valley, snow-capped peaks and numerous wildlife species. Once a one-of-a-kind private Western estate, the property has been carefully remodeled and reimagined as an ideal destination for corporate retreats, team meetings and other groups wishing to experience a taste of the wilderness with the traditions of the Mountain West. Riverbend Lodge lies minutes away from the charming small town of Saratoga, whose motto is Where the Trout Leap in Main Street. Saratoga and the upper North Platte River Valley are known for spectacular blue-ribbon trout fishing, abundant wildlife and outdoor recreation. Saratoga also is home to a natural hot springs once believed to possess healing properties and still open to the public today. page 3

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5 The heart of the property is the Main Lodge, built using stone mined on the Overland Trail Ranch and designed to take full advantage of the North Platte River views. Private river access is provided via a staircase descending from the back patio where summer sunset-gazing is absolutely glorious to a serene river-level deck. Furnished throughout with fine Western art, the Main Lodge also includes an antique-inspired bar, a gourmet kitchen where meals can be prepared onsite or catered by local chefs, and plenty of open space for meeting, relaxing or entertaining. An ornate, custom-designed antique billiards table awaits guests on the garden level. Combined with the additional guest room quarters available next to the main house, Riverbend Lodge offers 12 well-equipped sleeping rooms able to comfortably host groups of up to 25. The estate also features extensively manicured grounds with flower beds and stone walkways ready for wanderers to stroll under the sun or stars. page 5

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7 Fishing and floating: With unparalleled private access to the North Platte River, Riverbend Lodge is well-positioned to host the perfect summer fishing or floating trip, whether just for a few hours or from dawn to dusk. The North Platte River traverses the Overland Trail Ranch from south to north for over 22 miles and contains blue-ribbon fisheries. Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout inhabit all parts of the river with populations estimated at thousands of fish per mile in certain areas. Fly or lure fishing is excellent on all parts of the river, either from drift boats or wading. Due to very limited public access, the stretch of river within the Overland Trail Ranch boundaries does not get fished extensively and is unique in its privacy and solitude. Experienced fishing guides work to assure the safety and success of each expedition. A valid Wyoming fishing license is required. Shooting and hunting: Riverbend Lodge features an on-site shooting range as well as its own highly trained hunting dogs. Deer, elk and antelope are common on the Overland Trail Ranch, along with a variety of upland game birds and waterfowl. Hunting guides and shooting coaches are available to assist hunters. Valid Wyoming hunting licenses are required. page 7

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9 Golf: Riverbend Lodge is located less than 2 miles from the exclusive Old Baldy Club, offering a championship-quality 18-hole golf course, guided fishing on the North Platte River and fine dining. Riverbend guests will be able to access the Old Baldy course. Hiking and photography: Saratoga is situated between the Sierra Madre and Snowy Mountain ranges, home to the beautiful Snowy Range Scenic Byway (WY130) and the Battle Pass Scenic Byway (WY 70). Hundreds of miles of hiking trails for the novice and experienced are scattered throughout the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Museums: The Saratoga Museum is housed in the town s original 1915 Union Pacific Railroad Depot and features the North Platte Valley s history in addition to one of Wyoming s largest gem and mineral displays. The Grand Encampment Museum in nearby Encampment invites visitors to walk through over a dozen historical buildings, including a cabin used by workers cutting the railroad ties for the first transcontinental railroad. The buildings are filled with artifacts representing the timber, copper mining, and agricultural history of the valley. page 9

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11 CONTINUING A TRADITION OF AGRICULTURAL EXCELLENCE Since the mid-1990s, The Overland Trail Cattle Company LLC has owned and operated one of the largest cattle ranching and agricultural operations in the Western U.S. The Overland Trail Ranch encompasses about 500 square miles of rugged and diverse terrain between Rawlins and Saratoga in Carbon County, Wyoming. The majority of the ranch lands are privately owned; however, because the private lands are intermixed with federal and state parcels, there are cooperative agreements, grazing leases and an allotment management plan in place to assure that the ranch is wisely managed as one integrated, yearround operation. Several smaller ranches once made up what is now today s 320,000-acre Overland Trail Ranch, and the names of these bold pioneering families Bolton, Eaton, McCarthy, Miller, McKeal, Savage and others continue to be honored and used today to designate areas within the ranch. Elevations range from about 6,000 feet along the North Platte River on the east to over 9,000 feet on the Continental Divide on the western part of the ranch. Land is used to support a Black Angus cow/calf and yearling operation, as well as irrigated hay production. Ample habitat exists for big game, small game, upland birds and a variety of other terrestrial and aquatic species. As demonstrated by its responsible stewardship of land, water and wildlife resources, the Overland Trail Ranch is committed to ongoing environmental conservation in concert with its ranching operations. page 11

12 287 Hanna 30 Rawlins Sinclair Saratoga Ryan Park Road (County Road 504) Saratoga 130 North Platte River Cedar Ridge Road (County Road 209) RIVERBEND LODGE Chugwater Elk Mountain RIVERBEND LODGE North Platte River Laramie Cheyenne Denver 100 miles RIVERBEND LODGE Riverbend Lodge, 52 River Bend Road, Saratoga, WY By road: Riverbend Lodge is conveniently located approximately 5 miles southeast of Saratoga, Wyoming. From Saratoga, take Ryan Park Road east for approximately 3.5 miles, then go south on Cedar Ridge Road for approximately 1.5 miles to the property entrance. Note that Highway 130 between Laramie and Saratoga is typically closed from late fall through mid-may. By air: The Shively Field Airport in Saratoga, Wyoming, offers private air service via the 8,800 lighted airstrip just minutes from the property, or commercial flights are available in nearby Laramie or via Denver International Airport.