“We are headed to Anderson’s Cabin,” said our guide, Tyler, a capable-looking young man equipped with a full backpack that included a seemingly endless cache of maps, demonstration photos and water for our small group of six hikers. “The air is so dry out here. It may not feel like you are sweating, but you are losing water through any exposed skin, your eyes, your nose and your mouth at a far faster rate than you would back home. So, drink lots of water.”
With a base elevation of about 8,100 feet on Colorado’s Beaver Creek mountain, visitors can easily fall victim to the effects of the high elevation, especially where the summit reaches 11,440 feet.
Ascending upward less than a mile from The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch in Avon, Colo., the packed dirt trail was bordered on either side with blooming shrubs, pines and sweet-smelling wildflowers. Lupines, wild rose and the occasional columbine popped into view along the path. Unbeknownst to me, we were walking through a virtual Garden of Eden made up of wild edibles that Tyler identified and described during the hike. Not only did we learn how to spot the edible plant varieties, but also the deadly poisonous ones that could mean all the difference in survival situations.
After we crossed Beaver Creek (named for — you guessed it — the beavers that inhabit the
water systems in the area), a wood cabin surrounded by tall pines came into view.
“We are hiking in what is known as ‘Bachelor Gulch,’” Tyler said.
He explained how seven bachelors came out to the area in the late 1800s aiming to strike it rich during the Colorado silver rush. They staked their claims under the Homestead Act hoping to mine gold and silver.
Guests at the property can take seasonal hikes to enjoy the surrounding wilderness and learn new skills.
Credit: 2021 The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor GulchPreserved by The Ritz-Carlton, Anderson’s Cabin is now used for picnic hikes, wedding events and private dinners, and views from its deck are stunning. I could easily imagine that a lantern-lit dinner would feel like time traveling back to the Colorado wilderness of the late 1800s. However, after Tyler described the hardscrabble existence and conditions of the settlers during that time period, my romanticized notions evaporated.
“It was a very tough climate,” he said. “A lot of people froze or starved to death.”
It made me even more grateful that I could enjoy the luxurious amenities and accommodating staff of the hotel just a short hike away.
I could easily imagine that a lantern-lit dinner would feel like time traveling back to the Colorado wilderness of the late 1800s.
Inspired Activities at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch
When I first saw The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, I was reminded of famous national park lodges constructed of logs and stone, such as The Ahwahnee in Yosemite or Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. And in fact, the property was built with the inspiration of national park grand lodges in mind.
In addition to the hike I took, Tyler offers another option for guests who want to explore the surrounding area, during which they learn basic survival skills related to food, water, shelter and fire. He instructs them on building a survival kit with tools that will assist them during the hike — and get them “thinking outside of the box.”
Jean Alexander-Gitchell, director of sales for The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch, described how they came up with the idea: “We thought, what if you were one of the bachelors who lived here? How did you start your fire? How did you look for food around here? Tyler will take guests out and teach them how [to do those things].
Alexander-Gitchell and her team developed the “Edge of Wild” package for guests to experience this summer.”
“We are on the edge of the mountain, basically on the ‘edge of the wild,’ so that inspired the idea for the new package,” she said, noting that guests can use a resort credit included with the package for activities, dining or spa treatments. “Basically, you define what your wild is, and then, we’ve got different programming here to accommodate that for guests.”
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch was inspired by national park lodges.
Credit: 2021 The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor GulchMy “wild” included the educational nature hike, yoga, dining outside and indulging in the “Miner’s Mineral Mud Wrap” signature spa treatment.
While the Edge of Wild package is only available until Sept. 6, it demonstrates the wide variety of pursuits on offer at the property. Certain activities are held on a rotational basis, including the survival skills hike. Next time, I plan to test my skills with the hotel’s “Whiskey and Wood Burning” or “Lager and Leatherwork” activities. There’s also a complimentary fly-fishing skills class offered on the back lawn. And for those fishing folk who want an added challenge, there is the “Fly Tying and Tivoli” option, where guests are taught how to tie their own feather fly while enjoying a Tivoli beer.
During my stay, I also discovered the most popular bachelor in Beaver Creek. He is dark, handsome, friendly — and happens to be a dog. “Bachelor,” the ambassador of the hotel, is a 2-year-old Saint Bernard with personality to spare. He even goes out with Tyler on hikes with guests.
He’s just the kind of bachelor I wish I could take home with me as a reminder of my Edge of Wild experience. A girl can dream, can’t she?
The Details
The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch
