Transfer and Other Options:

Activities are scheduled around the ranch and the cattle. The ranch operates their cattle on three different mountain ranges - Pryor Mountains Range, Beartooth Range and the Bull Mountain Range.
Depending on your riding ability and the time of year, you may be riding on each one of them during the week (some transfers may be necessary in the morning to get to these remote places).
Once weekly we go to shop and sightseeing in Cody and to the Cody nite rodeo, we usually depart from the ranch mid afternoon and return after the rodeo around 11.30pm. As an off ranch activity we are able to make meal reservations at the Historic Buffalo Bill 's Irma Hotel at our guests request and own expense.
On Sunday evenings we visit one of our local western bars, this is also our night where our wranglers challenge our guests to a game of pool and play western music in the bar, a set supper menu is provided by the ranch at the bar, no drinks are included in this. Buffalo Mike's dutch oven campfire is a weekly event at the ranch and our regular guest's love to sit around the campfire with Mike whilst he cooks a buffalo roast and vegetables in the dutch oven on the fire, who can resist Mike's peach cobbler cooked on the campfire!! Mike is a qualified historian who can share all the western and native American history of our beautiful area. Our guests also have the option of sleeping out in our Native American teepees that are set on Schwend hill by the ranch.

Here are some examples of what we (you) will be doing: moving the cattle from one pasture to another; riding through the herd checking health and growth; riding the fence line and at times having to mend a section of it; irrigating hay , and so on. After the work is done there’s often time for leisurely rides to see the Indian pictographs or ride the ranch or driving up on the Pryor Mountains to experience a panorama of beautiful wild flowers and the wild mustangs of the Pryor Mountains. In our arena, guests are able to ride faster, run barrels, pole bend, and participate in 0 Mo See games, team penning and ranch roping. Other options are for an evening campfire or learning to rope on our roping dummies.



The type of work is dictated by the seasons ...
We have a saying . . . “all activities are dictated by the cows, weather and Lonnie”. Certainly the cows and weather have far more to do with what we are doing and where we are going, but the plan can change quickly.

The weeks of February and March see us calving out and tending to the cows; we usually ride the pastures and bring the cows in to calve in the corrals. We also go skiing at Red Lodge.
The weeks in April we will be getting our mares ready for foaling and working our home-bred young stock.
May and June are key times for branding and gathering cattle and this is a great time for our guests who like to do more physical ranch work and harder riding days. Cody nite rodeo starts 1 June and we go on a weekly basis
July and August will see us checking cattle, water holes and fences; moving stock at times during the summer is dictated on "as and when" needed basis.July and August also see us going for more pleasure rides, team penning and games in the arena,as well as more off ranch activities available
September and October are key times for fall gathering of cattle on the mountains, from late September it is best suited for our guests who likes to ride harder for longer times over mountain terrain.
The timing of all ranch rides may vary depending on weather conditions and temperatures and may depart either with an early morning start or later in the evening when the temperatures are cooler for the safety of our guests and horses, we also need to make our guests aware that it is the ranch owners decision when to make changes to a ranch ride and if ground conditions are dangerous for the guests and horses, ranch rides may be cancelled. Most of our daily rides are over 4hrs of riding. Some ranch and special activity rides involve ranch horses being trailer to/from ranch to get to riding area where cattle are pastured, our terrain is varied and can include very easy flat terrain rides but also some steep inclines. Branding and gathering times involve early morning starts for both ourselves and our guests. Guests are expected to help with grooming, feeding and saddling/unsaddle of their ranch horse daily.
November – November’s first couple of weeks is spent with some finishing off of gathering, sorting and rounding up strays. Thanksgiving is fast approaching!
December – With Lonnie’s close association to rodeo, we head to Las Vegas for a few days of the NFR (National Finals Rodeo).

SUMMER OVERNIGHT CAMP-OUTS
We will have overnight mountain camps from mid June thru to end of September once weekly. This involves a two day ride and one night overnight camp-out in wall tent accommodation, air beds and sleeping bags will be provided by the ranch, breakfast, packed lunches and supper will also be provided by the ranch. Ride the range, check cattle and then when the day is done, sit around the campfire, eat supper swapping stories of the day! The next morning, drink camp coffee and eat breakfast and pack some lunch, then it’s off to catch your horse, check cows and come home to the ranch for supper! There will be an additional cost of $200.00 per person to participate in the two day one overnight mountain camp-out trip. This trip is not part of the standard ranch package, and is recommended for Intermediate and Advanced riders, please be aware that there are camp toilet facilities but no shower facilities at the camp.

Don’t be concerned about riding experience. Certainly the gathering of cattle in September and October require more experienced riders, but we accommodate all folks and have plenty of chores for riders of all levels.

Overnight Trip: We will have an overnight camp once weekly overlooking the Bighorn and the Pryor mountains, where you can sit by the campfire and experience real Dutch oven cooking and hear local folk lore and family history, wake up to cowboy coffee and breakfast.

River Float Trip: We also have a weekly river float where you can enjoy fly-fishing down the river or just go with the flow and watch the native wildlife on the river banks, whilst enjoying the beautiful sunset the choice is yours! This trip is only available when the river conditions are right and is not guaranteed.

Off Ranch Activities!
While vacationing with us, guests have opportunity for off-ranch activities. The availability of these activities depends on the season, we usually visit a selection of these activities once weekly and are included and transportation is provided (part of your transfer fee).  If you drive in on your own, you are welcome to follow the ranch vehicle - if you want to be driven, there is a small charge.

A Few Examples:
Viewing the Wild Horse Range in the Pryor Mountains; Touring the Buffalo Bill Museum and visiting the Old Trail Town in Cody; Reliving the Battle of the Little Big Horn near the Custer Battlefield; Experiencing the breath-taking Beartooth Highway up to Yellowstone; White water rafting -- Cody, Wyoming ; Rodeos - either watch local rodeo or whilst visiting Cody see the Cody nite rodeo Golfing --for spectacular scenery, there’s an excellent 18-hole course is only 28 miles from the Lonesome Spur, right in the shadow of Beartooth mountains. Guided Tours of Yellowstone park are available at additional cost and must be pre-booked with the ranch, the tour includes an overnight stay, and takes approx one and a half days to see the park, including old faithful. Prices can vary depending on which time of year you chose to see the park. Minimum party to do this tour is 2 persons. We are excited to be able to offer a holiday you won’t forget. We only take 8 - 10 guests at a time on the ranch, so everyone feels a part of the family atmosphere and ranching lifestyle.

The Continental Divide traverses the western half of the State in roughly a north-south direction.  To the west of the Divide, Montana is drained by the Kootenai, Clark Fork, and Flathead Rivers into the Pacific Ocean through the Columbia River.  Many of the tributary streams in this region have their origin in the high western slopes of the Rockies.  Most streams traverse narrow canyons, at least through parts of their length, affording many valuable waterpower sites.  A relatively small area located between the Hudson Bay Divide and the Rocky Mountains is drained by the St. Mary River, which finds its way to Hudson Bay through the Saskatchewan River.  The remainder of the State is drained by the Missouri River, which is formed by the confluence of the Gallatin, Madison, and Jefferson Rivers at Three Forks, and travels northward through deep canyons in the Big Belt Mountains, and flows through the lower lying northeastern portion of the State.  The Yellowstone River, the principal tributary of the Missouri in Montana and which has its source in Wyoming, drains the southeastern section of the State and has its confluence with the Missouri just east of the Montana-North Dakota line.

The Continental Divide exerts a marked influence on the climate of adjacent areas.  West of the Divide the climate might be termed a modified north Pacific coast type, while to the east, climatic characteristics are decidedly continental.  On the west of the mountain barrier winters are milder, precipitation is more evenly distributed throughout the year, summers are cooler in general, and winds are lighter than on the eastern side.  There is more cloudiness in the west in all seasons, humidity runs a bit higher, and the growing season is shorter than in the eastern plains areas.

During the summer months hot weather occurs fairly often in the eastern parts of the State.  The highest ever observed was 117° at Glendive on July 20, 1893, and Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937.  Temperatures of over 100° sometimes occur in the lower elevation areas west of the Divide during the summer, but hot spells are less frequent and of shorter duration than in the plains sections.  Hot spells nowhere become oppressive, however, because summer nights almost invariably are cool and pleasant.  In the areas with elevations above 4,000 feet, extremely hot weather is almost unknown.  Summer days, however, are usually warm enough for light summer clothing.

Average Mean Temperatures/Precipitation: 
                    Low         High         Rain
• March         20             50             1”
• April            30             60             1.5”
• May             40            70              2.5”
• June             48             80             1.5”
• July              53             90              .8”
• August          50             90              .7”
• September    40             75             1.25”
• October        30             65             1.25”
• November     20            45               .7”

* Upon arrival at Billings, we will give you the opportunity to visit Shipton's Big R ranch supply store.  You can purchase any of the designated items at that time.  Any guest driving to the ranch should come with suitable riding boots and clothing.

Please note that all rooms are equipped with a small refrigerator to store your perishable items, beer and wine.  There is also a washer/dryer for use during your stay.

It is important that you bring warm and dry clothing. May and June can be cool and it can snow around that time of the year. Fortunately we haven’t really had to cope with extremely bad weather – but preparation is everything.

Riding boots need to have a smooth sole and a heel; we will not accept trainers or any boots with a gripped sole and heel.

Note: Bring your own alcohol! Drinking Age for Alcohol: 21 yrs old (it is recommended for all persons under 35 to carry ID)

Note: Gratuities and transfers can be paid by cash or credit card- take some cash with you (10% of trip cost) it you'd like to pay by cash.

Spa Facilities -- there are two hot-tubs where you can soak away your aches and pains after a hard day of play at the ranch; relax and watch the stars in the evening in the hot-tub.

Meals -- Meals are served in the lodge, family style. At the Lonesome Spur, we have a saying, "keep the cooks happy and everyone will be happy." And this is hard NOT to do -- EAT! You may need to let your belt out a notch or two after spending time at the Lonesome Spur! , mouth-watering and decadent desserts, salads, locally grown garden vegetables and fruit in season, and good Montana beef and buffalo For the light eater, we have fruit, muffins, salads and many veggies. If you have special dietary requests, please let use know in advance, and we will make every effort to accommodate you. But please remember that we are a beef ranch, and most all of our meals are centered around meat.

Passports
Valid passport required by all nationals referred to in the chart ; validity varies - for most countries the passport must be valid for at least six months from the date on which the holder enters the USA. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport; check with the embassy (see Contact Addresses).
Passport Note
(a) For nationals included in the Visa Waiver Program (see below), passports must be valid for at least 90 days from date of entry.
(b) All travellers entering the USA under the Visa Waiver Program require individual machine-readable passports. Children included on a parent's passport also now require their own machine-readable passport. Travellers not in possession of machine-readable passports will require a valid USA entry visa.
(c) Passports issued on or after 26 October 2005 will need to have a biometric identifier in order for the holder to travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Machine-readable passports issued between 26 October 2005 and 25 October 2006 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or an integrated chip with information from the data page. Machine-readable passports issued on or after 26 October 2006 will require an integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport).

The US has announced new measures that require all travellers to provide details online 72 hours prior to travel.
ESTA: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) came into force on 12 January 2009. It is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. ESTA applications must be submitted at least 72 hours before travel to the USA. Some websites may charge you for the service but you can apply online for free at www.dhs.gov. The granting of an ESTA does not guarantee entry to the USA.

New Requirements for Travellers: As of 23 January 2007 all persons, including US citizens, travelling by air between the USA and Canada, Central and South America, the Caribbean and Bermuda are required to present a valid passport, or other approved document, when entering or re-entering the USA. Similar requirements for those travelling by land or sea will be introduced on 1 June 2009.

For further details about the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visit the website of the US Department of State: (website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html).

Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days except:
1. nationals of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic, who do require a visa.
Visa Note
(a) Landed Immigrants of Canada and British residents of Bermuda who are citizens of, and have valid passports from, Commonwealth countries or Ireland are not eligible to enter the USA without a visa. (b) All passengers using US airports for transit purposes are required to obtain a transit visa. This does not affect qualified travellers travelling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. (d) To qualify for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, nationals must travel on a valid passport, for holiday, transit or business purposes only and for a stay not exceeding 90 days. (e) Passengers must have the full address and ZIP code of where they are staying in the USA to be able to fully complete the I-94W form. Note: Airlines are also required to collect passenger details, including the address of their first night's accommodation in the USA, before they board the aircraft. (f) 2. Holders of UK passports with the endorsement British Subject, British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Protected Person, British Overseas Citizen or British National (Overseas) Citizen do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. A passport which states holder has right of abode or indefinite leave to remain in the UK does not qualify for visa free travel. (g) A visa does not expire with the expiry of the holder’s passport. An unexpired, endorsed visa in an expired passport may be presented for entry into the USA, as long as the visa itself has not been cancelled, is undamaged, is less than 10 years old and is presented with a valid non-expired passport, provided that both passports are for the same nationality. (h) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist, Business, Transit and Student: US$131.
Validity
Visas may be used for travel to the USA until the date it expires. Some visas are valid for multiple entries. The length of stay in the USA is determined by US immigration officials at the time of entry but is generally six months; there is, however, no set time.
Applications to:
Embassy or consulate (see Contact Addresses).
Working Days Required
Usually five after interview. Some cases may take up to 12 weeks – check with embassy/consulate.