Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Jeanie Wilcox grew up in eastern Utah on the West Tavaputs Plateau with thousands of acres to play in. The nearest neighbors were six miles away. One neighbor was Butch Jensen. As childhood friends, Butch and Jeanie rode stick horses together. Two decades later, at the ranch where Jeanie's great-grandfather had once settled horse trades with Butch Cassidy, Jeanie and Butch settled on spending their lives together.
They are a charismatic couple with a knack for hospitality that comes natural after five generations sharing a warm fire and hitching post on the edge of Desolation Canyon. With their adult children, Tate and Jennie, they run Tavaputs Ranch, which is 50 miles east of Price at an elevation of 9,400 feet. Tavaputs Ranch offers a glimpse into the marvel of ranching life, including the stunning views, outdoor recreation and horseback rides. It's a great weekend trip for those living along the Wasatch Front.
The ranch hosts guests from June 20 through September 25. Its cozy, private cabins can accommodate up to 12 couples. Additional sleeping quarters in the main lodge bring the ranch's total sleeping capacity to 40. It's also set up to host private groups, weddings and corporate retreats.
True West magazine ranked Tavaputs "Best Ranch in the West" in 2008 because it is an authentic working ranch that caters to guests. And in November 2009, the Sand County Foundation awarded the Jensens with the Leopold Conservation Award for their land management efforts.
Visitors can sign up for one of Jeanie's full-day tours of the nearby Range Creek Canyon ruins left by Fremont Indians more than 800 years ago. She grew up on the remote land where more than 200 unspoiled archeological sites are now protected by the University of Utah.
Jeanie says many of her guests have told her Tavaputs Ranch is as close to heaven as they've come.
