Drakesbad Guest Ranch

"This is my third trip to Drakesbad, the first two were in 2000 and 2007, when the property was managed by a family rather than a park concessionaire, and before the Dixie Fire. Some things have changed, and others have not. What’s not changed is that this place is charming and a bit of an anachronism. The cabins are rustic, some without showers (you can bathe at the bathhouse below the Lodge) and without light fixtures. The place is powered by generators that shut off at 10 pm, so the place goes completely dark then—which is great for star gazing. There is horseback riding. The common room in the lodge has board games for guests, and outside there are a handful of other games (archery, darts, corn hole, etc). It’s a peaceful place to experience nature, without the hassle of actually tent-camping. Other things that haven’t changed: Your room rate is inclusive of all meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all served in the restaurant. If you are staying during the months of July or August, you are likely to be eating with a large number of PCT through-trekkers, as the Ranch is about midway between the Northern and Southern ends of the route. This is a crowd that is very distinct from the families that make up the bulk of those staying in the cabins and lodge. The PCT hikers stay down at the Warner Valley Campground and walk up for their meals and showers. Some things have sadly changed since my last visit in 2007. For one, the Dixie Fire has absolutely devastated this area of the park, and while there is now a lot of brush and green undergrowth sprouting, the site of thousands of dead trees is sad, and also makes a lot of the day hikes around Warner Valley very different. The trails are sunnier and some are still being repaired. For example, I had wanted to try and hike from the Warner Valley Campground to Kings Creek Falls, which looks doable on the park map, but it turns out that the Bench Lake Trail is not currently maintained and the thorn bushes that have taken over the trail now that the trees are dead are hard to avoid. Nevertheless, the hike to Devil’s Kitchen is not to be missed, and despite the fire is still pretty shady, once you get past the meadow. It is 1000 times better than Bumpass Hell, in my opinion. Another thing that has changed since 2007 is the property management. The family that had managed it the last time I was there was really committed to the place and the meals were really phenomenal. Now the dinners are good but very basic carb-loaded fare for hikers (an excellent beef stew, creamed corn and very salty garlic bread one night, BBQ beef brisket, Mac & Cheese and potato salad another). The breakfasts are dorm-food adjacent (French toast and pancakes from frozen, lukewarm sausage patties, scrambled eggs, oatmeal) but they can make you a latte, which is nice. Another thing that is different is the packed lunches. It used to be that you could order a lunch the night before to be ready for your hike the ne"

Walk to Downtown Graeagle, Mill Pond & Pickleball

Graeagle Epic Adventure Mountain Home