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Three Trails Ranch

The ranch is operated by Master Plan Ministries (MPM) a non-profit, non-denominational Christian organization and is available for group use. This mountain facility is located 20 miles northeast of Durango, Colorado above the Lemon Dam situated at 9,000 ft. elevation. The 17 acres and five buildings were originally built in the late 1960’s as a Dude ranch. Today, the ranch is a renovated year round Christian retreat/conference center that will sleep 130 guests. The adjacent San Juan National Forest is accessible for hiking, fishing, and back-packing. 

Master Plan also has the Cascade Lodge available for rent near Purgatory ski area.

The 30 year MPM history and philosophy strongly shows our interest in using Three Trails Ranch for retreats and conferences that help to develop the moral and spiritual values of the youth, promote strong family values and to show why the claims of Jesus Christ can give everyone great hope and purpose.  Three Trails Ranch exists to promote the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.

Address: 2038 Sierra Verde Dr., Durango, CO.  
Phone number:  970-259-2354.  
 
COST
  1. $15.00 per person per night, with groups only. (The minimum is 20/group)
  2. $5.00 per person per day use only (not staying over-night).
  3. Children under two years of age are free after the minimum cost/night is met for the group.
  4. Immediate families pay for only five maximum per night.
 
SCHEDULING
  1. Call Master Plan Ministries (970) 259-5768, to check possible dates for your group use. Please understand that calling to check dates does NOT schedule your group.
  2. Make sure before scheduling that you have the current Three Trails Ranch informational packet and have read the policies and guidelines and agree. If you do not have a packet, we will be glad to e-mail you one.
  3. Send a $200.00, non-refundable, scheduling deposit to Master Plan Ministries (check or money order). WHEN we receive the $200.00 scheduling deposit, THEN we will officially schedule your group in our scheduling book. At that time, we will CONFIRM the scheduled dates for your group by calling or emailing you, the DESIGNATED LEADER, a letter of confirmation If, for some reason, you do not hear from us, please call and check.
  4. Contact us at:  (970) 259-5768 (Russ or Linda Akins)
Master Plan Ministries
P.O. Box 1082
Durango, CO 81302
 
Its best to call us 8am -8pm, MST.  You can also email russ.akins@mpmstaff.com
 
RANCH FACILITIES:
 
Big Horn Lodge: In general, this building can sleep 15-30, is self-contained with its own kitchen and 4.5 bathrooms. 
 First Floor: one bedroom with a king bed and a set of bunkbeds.
 
 Second floor: three bedrooms each with one queen bed and one set of bunkbeds.
 
 Third floor: three bedrooms each with one queen beds and one set of bunkbeds.
 
Included is large meeting room downstairs and a large living room on the third floor.  Both large rooms have flat screen TV's.  Also available is a washer and dryer, pool table, enough pots, pans, dishes for a group of 30. It is heated mostly by a wood stove. (wood is provided)
 
Dining Hall Building:  This building contains tables and chairs for larger groups as well as a large commercial kitchen. The dining hall is the largest room on the ranch and can be used for a meeting room that could seat 60-70. It also includes a piano and a wood stove for heat and Large Flat Screen TV.
 
Commercial Kitchen: is equipped with an electrical stove, larger propane stove with large grill, two microwaves, propane oven warming table, barbecue grill, freezer, three refrigerators, ice-maker, dishwasher with racks, pantry, pans (9x13, two pizza pans, muffin tins, cookie sheets bread pans), two toasters, colanders, mixing bowls, coffee pots (12 & 30 cup), gal pitchers, cutting boards, cheese graters, electric griddle, electric roasting pans, two crock pots, blender, serving trays, dish rags, t-towels, serving spoons, spatulas, whisks, knives, measuring cups, timers, and temperature gages. Cooks will be shown how to operate kitchen.
 
Bunk house: can sleep 32 women upstairs and 32 men downstairs in larger bunk beds, (the single mattresses are all 6ft. 6 inches long.) Attached are two large bathrooms each with 4 showers, sinks and toilets. Also, a special handicap bathroom is included along with a handicap ramp. This building is mostly for youth and singles. Included on the bottom floor is a wood burning stove and for the women upstairs there is water baseboard heat and there are extra “throw” mattresses.
 
Aspen lodge: this is a hotel-like building with 24 rooms, library and laundry. Each room has a queen bed and bathroom. This building is mostly for adults and includes a small parking lot.  
 
Sleeping Accommodations:
Since the ranch does not provide bedding or towels, we recommend that you bring warm sleeping bags or sheets and blankets, pillows, towels, etc.
 
Water Supply: Rocky mountain spring water flows into our pond, then into our water treatment building, though the best filtering system and finally chlorinated according to Colorado State law. The ranch water system is operated by a Colorado certified water operator. We have excellent water.
 
Parking: There is plenty of parking available at the main parking area near the Big Horn lodge, at the Aspen Lodge parking lot, and another larger area around and below the Bighorn lodge. We can park more than a 100 cars.
 
Accessibility:
During the summer – The uphill graveled road (Sierra Verde Drive) from the Lemon Dam road is in good shape and is fine for all vehicles. Please keep speed down to 15 MPH due to keeping the dust down for all the cabins along the road. Watch for speed bumps and slow down to accommodate them.
 
During the winter – Usually, the two mile uphill road (Sierra Verde Dr.) is plowed and is snow-packed. Mandatory chains are required or 4-wheel drive vehicles are the only way the ranch can be reached. Make sure that drivers know how to put chains on their vehicles correctly. Chain up near the mailboxes at the Lemon Reservoir on the main road.
Regular two wheel drive vehicles without chains will have to park at the bottom of the uphill road near the mailboxes and wait for a pre-arranged shuttle to pick people up in your group or catch a ride with someone in your group that has a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Note: there is no cell service at the mailbox location.
 
                              
THINGS TO DO:
  • Basketball
  • Pool Table
  • Horse shoes
  • Volleyball
  • Large outside fire pit 
  • Pond for swimming, kid fishing, winter broom ball
 
In the local area:
  • Ride the Historic Durango/Silverton Train, visit Ouray, Mesa Verde Nat. Pk.
  • Jeeping or 4-wheeling over mountain passes
  • Photography: mountain scenery, wildlife
  • Hunting: Oct., Nov. (Deer, elk, bear)
  • Purgatory Ski Area: Alpine Slide, Ski lift, various concerts
  • Horseback riding – several outfitters
  • Mountain bike riding: off-road trails, Forest Service roads
  • Golf: three courses in the Durango area.
  • Swimming at Trimble hot springs or Pagosa Hot Springs
 
WINTER:
  • Skiing/snowboarding at the Purgatory, Wolf Creek, and Hesperus Ski Areas and Chapman hill.
  • Cross-country skiing on trails or through the woods.
  • Snowshoeing, Snow-mobiling
  • Sledding/tubing
  • Swimming in the hot Springs
 
 
 
NEARBY:
Lemon Reservoir is 1.6 miles down Sierra Verde Dr. Right on Co Rd 243. Look for parking and fishing access near inlet.
  • Fishing
  • Boating
Transfer Park (30 min, 7.2mi)
  • (30 min, 7.2mi). Drive 1.6 miles down Sierra Verde Dr. Sharp right onto Co Rd 243 (0.4 mi). Turn left onto Forest Rd 596 (5.2mi)
  • Burnt Timber Trail (Starting at Transfer Park)
  • Trailhead located at Transfer Park Campground north of Lemon Reservoir. The first 3 miles are can be somewhat steep. You gain 1,000 ft. in the first mile. Alpine meadows are full of blooming wildflowers in late July and in August. There are excellent views and photographic possibilities.
  • As with many high-altitude areas, storms can move in rapidly, bring in severe wind, lightning, rain, or hail any time of year. Plan accordingly.
  • Lemon Granite Cliff Rock Climbing Area
  • Same directions to Transfer Park. Walk down the road to last campground to the left. Hike down a short trail to a fixed knotted rope.
  • This scenic little canyon lies to the north of Lemon Reservoir and is split by the Florida (flo-ree-da) River. Well worth seeing even for the non-climber.
Lost Lake Trail (31 min, 7.5mi)
  • 7.5 mi drive from TTR. Head downhill on Sierra Verde Dr (1.6mi). Sharp Right onto Co Rd 243 (0.4 mi). Continue on Forest Rd 597 (3.6 mi).
  • Short ½ mile trail to small Lost Lake near Lemon Reservoir
Vallecieto Reservoir (41 Min, 15 mi)
  • 1.6 miles down Sierra Verde Dr. Continue onto Co Rd 243 (0.4mi). Turn left onto Co Rd 240 (3.4mi). Turn left onto Co Rd 501 (2.8mi).
  • Fishing*
  • Boating
  • Hiking
Vallecito Creek Trail
  • Drive about 10 miles on CR 501 , which will take you along the west side of the Vallecito Reservoir and into the residential area north of the lake. As soon as CR 501 curves to the right and begins heading east instead of north, CR 500 peels off to the left heading north. Travel about another 2.5 miles on CR 500 and the trailhead parking lot will be on your left just before the entrance to Vallecieto Campground. The parking lot is quite l Starting at the Vallecito Campground, the trail is a major access to the heavily used Weminuche Wilderness. The first 3.2 miles from the trailhead makes a good day hike. It starts off nice and level as it meanders around the borders of Vallecito Campground.
Durango –
  • Historic Downtown Shopping etc.
  • Animas River Trail
  • Gold Medal trout fishing in the Animas River
  • Durango - Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
  • White Water Rafting
  • 4x4 Jeep Rental
  • Hiking
  • Honeyville- Local Honey Gift Shop/ Bee Farm.  33633 U.S. Rt. 550
  • Durango Discovery Museum Located on Camino Del Rio. This scientific hands-on museum is a favorite for kids. There is a fee at the door.
  • much more at http://www.durango.org/
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