Hardware Ranch &#"/> Hardware Ranch &#"/> Hardware Ranch, a Utah winter tradition, opens this weekend - The Salt Lake Tribune

Hardware Ranch, a Utah winter tradition, opens this weekend

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
A pronghorn doe hangs out on the fringes of the main meadow at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Other commonly seen wildlife in the canyon or at the ranch include: mule deer; moose; bald eagles; coyotes and wild turkeys.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
A pair of cow elk challenge one another in a move called boxing at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management in Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune
James Larsen holds his daughter Maya, 2, alongside his wife Rachel as the family from Magna experience the elk up close with extended family at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon.

The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

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Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune A pronghorn doe hangs out on the fringes of the main meadow at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Other commonly seen wildlife in the canyon or at the ranch include: mule deer; moose; bald eagles; coyotes and wild turkeys. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune A pair of cow elk challenge one another in a move called boxing at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience wild Elk up close. The working ranch maintains healthy rangelands for wildlife as well as increasing public awareness through community outreach and education programs. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March. Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune James Larsen holds his daughter Maya, 2, alongside his wife Rachel as the family from Magna experience the elk up close with extended family at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Blacksmith Fork Canyon. The ranch opens Dec. 12 with the annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival being held Dec. 13. The ranch will offer sleigh rides through mid-March.

By Brett Prettyman The Salt Lake Tribune

· December 10, 2014 8:33 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A unique Utah Christmas tradition — Hardware Ranch — opens this weekend.

Originally developed 70 years ago to keep hungry wildlife from feasting on farmers' winter hay reserves, the ranch has grown into a family elk-watching and sleigh-riding custom.

Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Cache County opens Dec. 12.

The annual Rocky Mountain Elk Festival, which kicks off the season, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13. Activities during the free festival include displays at the visitor center, interpretive talks about elk and other wildlife in Blacksmith Fork Canyon east of Hyrum, and family friendly crafts.

Elk are the state mammal of Utah. Between 400 and 700 animals move onto the state wildlife management area each winter when Division of Wildlife Resources managers start feeding them, usually once winter forage grasses are covered in snow — a practice that started in 1945. The ranch grows its own feed each summer for the elk.

As many as 25,000 visitors go to the ranch each winter.

Visiting the center and seeing the elk is free. Sleigh rides, or horse-drawn wagons when there is not enough snow, take visitors through the elk gathered on the ranch's meadows. Rides are $5 for visitors over 9 and $3 for 4 to 8-year-olds.

Wagon rides are available Fridays and Mondays from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rides are not offered the rest of the week, but people still can visit to view the elk.

Food is not available at the visitors center, but visitors can bring their own picnics.

brettp@sltrib.com

Twitter: @BrettPrettyman —

Sleigh riding with elk

Hardware Ranch in Cache County offers sleigh or wagon rides through elk gathered for the winter. See a video of the ranch in the winter and read about why Hardware Ranch made The Utah Bucket List.