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Clyde Park, Montana

Who We Are | Local Attractions | Seasonal Events
Horseback Riding & Stock | History | Guest Comments
New Inquiries | More About Us | Rates | Directions | Contact RANCH Now

Would you like to experience the adventure of living and participating in the everyday activities of a 3,000 acre Montana ranch? The Leffingwell family ranch dates back to the turn of the century and we have been welcoming guests into our home for over 60 years.

Enjoy riding, hiking or fishing in the wide open spaces and sage covered hills sloping up to high timber covered ridges and meadows of native grass and wild flowers. Delicious home cooked food is served family style in the ranch house kitchen.

Come and see a hard working ranch family who truly care for the land, working together toward the common goal of preserving and maintaining this ideal western way of life for future generations of our family and guests to enjoy far into the twenty first century and hopefully beyond. If you have an appreciation of beautiful scenery, wildlife, horses, good home cooked food and a simplistic way of life, this is the place for you.

Who We Are

Mary Leffingwell, whose father homesteaded the ranch at the turn of the century, and her late husband began taking guests in 1934. The ranching and guest business worked so well together that her son, grandson and their wives have continued on in Mary's footsteps. Mary's autobiographical book, "Diamonds in the Snow", tells of her childhood and growing up in early day Montana.

Third generation George and his wife Patricia, along with fourth generation, Steve and his wife Tracy now operate the ranch guest business. Having spent four generations caring for the land, we are very conscious of the pulse of nature and how we, as ranchers, must fit into that rhythm. We have learned to live in harmony with the wild life and flora, that insures the preservation of the natural health of the land, our ranch and that of the surrounding area.

Our high percentage of return guests is testimony to the pleasure, comfort and relaxation found here. We want to share these unspoiled rolling hills and timber clad slopes that lend to the calm relaxed atmosphere of this mountain valley.

The Leffingwell family, George, Patricia, Steve, Tracy and Mary, welcomes you into our home to experience a living piece of history spanning almost one hundred years of raising horses and cattle, and almost 70 years of sharing our 3,200 acre ranch with guests from all over the world. Back to Top

History

The land that the ranch sits on was first settled in the early 1880's. Our ancestors came in 1900 to homestead and put together the ranch that, over the generations has evolved into our present 3200 acre ranch. Generations of caring for the land and living with the land has preserved the sanctuary that it is today.

As you ride the ridges surrounding our ranch, you can see how it once overlooked a shallow sea, long before the dinosaurs, and was shaped by the combination of upthrusts, glaciers, volcanic activities, weather and time to form the valleys, ridges and mountains encompassing and surrounding our ranch. Although there has been no organized fossil digs on the property, we do often find petrified bones, teeth and numerous beds of fossilized wood and vegetation.

Different tribes of Indians ebbed and flowed across this part of Montana as their migration routes followed those of the buffalo and other game that was their staple food supply along with the plants and berries they gathered. In the late eighteenth century, the Blackfeet and Crow both felt that they had the exclusive hunting rights to this area. But the Shashonee, Flathead, Nespierce and other tribes used the Indian roads through the valley for trade routes and going to and from the Buffalo hunting grounds to the east as well as in the travels of various raids, war parties and horse stealing expeditions.

The first white men to visit this area were mountain men fur trapers in the first decade of the nineteenth century. Next came the gold seekers traveling through the area on their way west to the gold fields just north and west of us. Then came the early settlers that were to settle the fertile valleys that made up the headwaters of the Missouri. When the lower more desirable land was all settled up in the broad river valleys, the homesteaders began to lay claim to the smaller valleys and the low rolling ridges in between. Here they raised horses, cattle, sheep and pigs, and grew wheat, barley and oats to be shipped east on the newly built Northern Pacific Railroad to feed the growing population of the eastern seaboard.

It was during this era, in the spring of 1903, when Charles Bridgman, great-great grandfather of the newest generation of our family, arrived in this valley to build the ranch of his dreams. After building a cabin and bringing in the first years harvest, he began courting the newly arrived school teacher, Miss Dorthey Critten. Three years later, on Easter Sunday, they were married. Mary, born in 1914, was soon riding the range with her father and inherited his love for the land.

In its hay day the Bridgman Ranch encompassed most of the upper Brackett Creek valley, but with the death of Charles in 1932, and the low prices of the depression years taking it's toll, Mary was forced to sell the greater part of the ranch. Mary and her new husband, George Leffingwell, tentatively started taking in guests to supplement ranch income and moved their headquarters to the remaining 3,200 acres of the property where we live now. To this day, our family still enjoys taking in guests, only 10 to 15 at a time, so we can get to know you better and you can get to know us and our way of life. Back to Top

Horseback Riding & Stock

At this ranch, our emphasis is on horseback riding and horsemanship instruction. Many of our horses are born, raised and trained right here on the ranch from our own brood stock especially selected for the temperament and physical ability needed in this terrain and for the security of our guests. We continue to improve our horse herd and enjoy sharing our horses with you.

Guests are assigned a specific horse for the week, and are welcome to help care for their horses. Guests may also bring and use their own saddles and horse if they like. A guest's riding ability is the wrangler's judgment. However, there is no experience required and a willingness to learn is encouraged. For the safety of the guests and the horses, all rides are accompanied by a wrangler who can help you and tell you what is to be expected from you on each ride, and what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior on horseback. We ask that you respect a wrangler's decisions regarding safety. The wrangler is there to offer assistance, advice and to answer any questions you may have about horsemanship, the local history or any other related topics. We do not have a weight limit, but a guest should be strong and agile enough to handle their own weight.

Guests will average four to seven hours of riding per day, and they are accompanied on these rides by someone who knows the country. Usually, there is a two to three hour ride in the morning, back to the ranch house for lunch, and a three to four hour ride in the afternoon. Once a week an all day ride is scheduled and lunch is either taken along or brought to the riders chuckwagon style. Rides are usually geared to the skill level of the average rider of the group, and not all rides are in connection with the cattle. At selected times of the season, people can participate in working with the cattle, trail riding on the summer cattle range, horsemanship instruction in our outdoor riding/roping arena and overnight pack trips. We have many varied trails through rugged mountain terrain, gentle sloping foothills, grassy meadows and sagebrush flats, many of which were used by the Indians and our pioneering ancestors. Back to Top

Guest Comments

"The Leffingwells are a special people with a marvelous sense of family pride and loyalty." - "The Leffingwell's are preserving and sharing with us the American ideal of hard work and living off of the land." - "The allure of the G-M Ranch is it's quietness and security. People come to this place to enjoy a world where children and animals can safely run and play. Where the nights are silent, and where the fastest you might travel for an entire week is an energetic walk." - "They have preserved a way of life that others have forgotten. The ranch is a living history of the American Spirit." - "The ranch is my perfect vacation. It is quiet, low-key and secluded, surrounded by some of the most beautiful country I have seen." - "It's a place that city folk like me cherish as a refuge from the noise and traffic of our hometowns." - "The peace and quiet and wide open spaces are unique to the Leffingwell Ranch." - "The week I spend at Leffingwell's ranch is the week I regroup myself for another year of responsibilities and pressure." - "The quietness and remoteness of the G-M is good for the soul." - "One of the reasons we chose the G-M was for it's tranquil setting and historic Montana lifestyle." - "I never get tired of coming back. The place is beautiful and the people are the best around, a second family."

Features - We have been mentioned in the following publications: Gene Kilgore's Ranch Vacations, Cooking Light Magazine - "Happy Trails" May-June 1992 issue, "Old Time Dude Ranches Out West" by Elizabeth Claire Flood, Pat Dickerman's "Farm and Ranch Vacations", The Dude Rancher's Association, Health Action - "Making a Vacation Count", The Bozeman Chronicle - "Guest of the G-M found a Second Home". We are also a host for the USIA International Visitor's Program where guests from all over the world come to visit our ranch. So far, we have had guests from The People's Republic of China, Bhutan, Jordan, Mexico, Africa, Singapore, Germany, France, Switzerland, Japan, England, Hungary, Norway, Sweden and Korea. Back to Top

  Fishing, Rafting, Skiing and Events

Special events on the ranch include an all day ride at the end of the week and picnic chuck-wagon style as well as an evening outdoor steak fry at the ranch. A visit to Animals of Montana, a nearby wild animal training facility is always a treat. 

There are many rodeos throughout the summer in the surrounding areas of Livingston, Bozeman, Wilsall, White Sulphur and Big Timber as well as 4th of July and Memorial Day Celebrations. 

Back Country Canoe Trips &
Paradise Paddlers Guided Canoe Trips
Matt Henry or Jim Frances at 406-222-1979

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions
Jim Robbins (406) 995-4989

Yellowstone Raft Co
Julia Page (406) 995-4613

Montana Whitewater
Bill Zell (406) 763-4465

Additional information on events can be obtained through the local Chamber of Commerce. 

During the winter months activities will include downhill and cross country skiing at nearby Bridger Bowl and  Bohart Ranch, six miles from the G Bar M. Transportation to and from ski areas is included. Also, we offer sleigh rides upon request. Back to Top

Local Attractions

Our Special Attractions - Join us in unregimented activities, a relaxed atmosphere and historic ranch family tradition and hospitality. Delight in the tranquility of unspoiled and undeveloped beautiful mountain scenery. We offer delicious, excellently prepared wholesome meals including fresh garden vegetables, ranch raised beef, home made breads and desserts.

Scenic Places - We are approximately a two hour drive from the entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Information on the park can be obtained through the local chamber of commerce. There are many other local sites of interest such as The Lewis and Clark Caverns and the ghost towns of Castle, Elkhorn, Virginia City, Nevada City and Bannock. Transportation is not provided by the ranch, however, car rentals are available in Bozeman. Within 8 miles of the ranch are the Bridger Mountains with many hiking trails and Fairy Lake, a beautiful glacial lake nestled high in the peaks of the Bridgers. Drop off and pick up is available to the Bridger Mountains. Northeast of the ranch are the Crazy Mountains, a rugged mountain range with many hiking trails and glacial lakes as well. Both the Bridger and the Crazy Mountains have excellent trout filled lakes and streams.

The Yellowstone River is within an hours drive from the ranch. Fly fishing guides and river rafting trips are available. Activities off of the ranch are separate costs not included in the ranch package.

Museums - The Museum of the Rockies is located in Bozeman and is well known for it's displays of dinosaur fossils. Within Helena, the state capital, is The Montana Museum at Helena. If you are interested in Western Art, the Charlie Russell Museum is in Great Falls.

Colleges - Montana State University is located in the city of Bozeman, within an hours drive of the ranch and The University of Montana is in Missoula.

Wildlife & Landscape - For the animal enthusiast we have many species of interest. The most common spied animal on the ranch is the deer, mule and white tail. Early in the morning or in the evening you can watch them grazing in the fields around the ranch. A great photo opportunity, as the deer are quite tame. Another common sight is both the golden eagle and the red tailed hawk. Both can be seen soaring high above the ranch riding on the thermal air currents of the foothills. It is quite a sight if you catch a glimpse of them hunting and catching prey. For the bird watcher, there are numerous species to observe including the entertaining hummingbirds which fly around and feed from the many feeders and lilacs bushes surrounding the ranch house.

Also living within the area are elk, coyote, moose, black bear, mountain lion and many small mammals such as bob cat, lynx, wolverine, mink, weasel, beaver, marmot, cotton tail, snowshoe and jack rabbits. The creek that flows through the ranch is home to rainbow, native cut throat and brown trout. We do not however have any rattle snakes or grizzly bears on the ranch or in the near surrounding areas.

The ranch sits in a valley between two series of foothills leading to higher more mountainous terrain. In the lower creek bed areas are many cottonwood and willow trees and grassy pastures leading up to sage covered hills dotted with occasional aspen groves and fir trees. Higher up is more timbered and rugged landscapes. Wild flowers start showing up in May with an explosion of vibrant colors and innumerable varieties covering the hillsides in late June through July with late summer bloomers continuing on into August and even September. One good picture is worth a thousand words, but a thousand pictures cannot do justice to this beautiful country.

Shopping - The two nearest places to shop are Bozeman and Livingston. Bozeman has a Mall as well as shops, art galleries and western apparel stores. Livingston offers the same on a smaller scale. Back to Top

More About Us / Accommodations

Cabins - We have two rustic log cabins. The large family cabin sleeps up to five people. It has two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two twin beds. Off of the master bedroom is a screened porch with a single bed. The cabin also has a living room with a fireplace, a front room with another single bed, a kitchenette with a sink and refrigerator and a bathroom. The smaller cabin has two bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two single beds and a bathroom. Within the ranch house, there are four bedroom all with private baths. All the rooms have a rustic feel with western decor.

We also have a new log Ranch House with four bedrooms, all with private baths. This building will be open year round, with a minimum of a week stay during the summer season. Rates and activities during the winter months will change with no minimum stay.

What To Wear - Basically, blue jeans, a shirt and boots. Summer days are usually warm and beautiful with very low humidity. You can count on cool evenings and mornings so a jacket is recommend. As the weather in May and September can be unsettled, dressing in layers is best. We suggest packing clothing for warm, cold and wet weather conditions. Gloves, hats, raincoats and boots are important.

Children - Unless otherwise pre-arranged, children are the responsibility of their parents. Children are encouraged to participate and included in all ranch activities.

Recreation & Activities - The ranch has a very laidback atmosphere and unstructured schedule with horseback riding being the main organized activity. Guests are welcome to fish in the creek that flows through the ranch, home to rainbow, native cut throat and brown trout. Or hike on the many trails in the wide open spaces and sage covered foothills of the Bridger Mountains. There is also many opportunities for bird watching, photography or just plain relaxing. Rafting trips outside of the ranch can also be arranged.

Safety & Guest Abilities - Guests riding ability is the head wrangler's judgment. No riding experience is necessary and we encourage a willingness to learn. Our guests safety is of uppermost concern as well as the safety of our horses. We do not have a weight limit, but a guest should be strong and agile enough to handle their own weight. Back to Top

Rates and Reservations

Open:  
Summer Season: May 15 to September 15
New Ranch House open year round
Capacity: 15
Altitude: 5280 ft. at headquarters rising to 7,000 ft on mountain pastures

Our Rates:

For Reservations: Call 406-686-4423
Payments & Cancellations: Reservations will be confirmed upon receipt of
25% deposit refundable with 60 days notice subject to space being available.
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Directions

From Bozeman: Coming from the West into Bozeman on I-90, take the first exit. Turn left onto North 7th and cross overpass. Turn right onto Griffin, (first street after overpass), and continue for 7/10 of a mile. Turn left onto Bridger Dr., (also marked Mt. 86), at the first stop sign. About 15.5 miles on Bridger Dr., at the end of the pavement and a fork in the road, take the right fork which is Brackett Creek Rd. The G-M turn-off in on the right after 6.6 miles of gravel road. As you come in the lane, the ranch house is the first turn to the right.

From Livingston: Get off of I-90 at the White Sulphur Springs Exit (#340), 6 miles east of Livingston, onto Highway 89. About 13 miles on H-89, through the Shields River Valley, brings you to the town of Clyde Park. About 2 blocks into Clyde Park on the left will be a sign saying, Battle Ridge-Brackett Creek Rd. Follow the gravel Brackett Creek Rd. for 8.5 miles until you see the log G-M sign on the left. The ranch house is the first turn to the right about 1/4th of a mile down the lane.

Airports & Pickups: Pickup from and drop off to the Bozeman airport is included. Click here to see a map.

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