HomeMy Public PortalAboutCoxes Dude Ranchrile spar Ne iv
Aug 0, 1971
Friendly, peaceful atmosphere
prevails at Johnson Creek ranch
Guided horseback tours for short scenic jaunts, day long fishing trips,
or weekly hunting expeditions are offered at the ranch. Star -News Photo.
Possibly the most scenic spot in
the West lies cradled between two
9,000 foot peaks in Valley County,
near Yellow Pine, Idaho.
Coxes Dude Ranch, owned and
operated by Lafe and Emma Cox is
unsurpassed as a recreational
paradise with its rich Western
flavor setting the style for the
many sports activities available
there.
Stretched across 160 acres
thickly timbered and grassy
meadowed land, the ranch is
located 53 miles east of Cascade, in
the midst of Idaho's wilderness
area.
In the early 1900's the ranch was
originally homesteaded by Alec
Forstrum and in 1927 was sold to
Clark and Beulah Cox. The present
two-story log cabin styled lodge
was erected in 1929 and has been
operated since that time as a Dude
Ranch. In 1943 the Clark Coxes
sold the place to their son and his
wife, Lafe and Emma Cox, who
are the present owners.
Rippling past the southern
border of the ranch is the silvery
Johnson Creek, filled with an
ample supply of stream trout. A
Louisiana guest who often fishes
for large bass in the Gulf of Mexico
said, "I enjoy fishing these
mountain streams for trout much
more than bass fishing in our
country."
Guided horseback tours
frequently accomodate guests on
day -long fishing trips to one of the
10 nearby mountain lakes.
A short visit to the Lodge quickly
reveals wild game as being
plentiful in the area. Frequently
an elk or deer may be seen grazing
in a nearby meadow.
Mounted in the rustic interior of
the lodge are a variety of trophies
including Rocky Mountain big horn
sheep, mountain goats, deer,
cougar, foxes,etc.
Pcie r
Outside, amidst a variety of wild
and cultured flowers, even a set of
patio chairs and the base of a table
have been designed from elk racks.
Lafe said during one hunting
season, he assisted with the care of
83 big game animals which had
been downed by hunters in that
area. During that season he said he
worked day and night cleaning the
animals.
The Coxes take advantage of
their long snowbound winters in
using their imagination to create
unusual items for the lodge. The
lobby's Western decor is enhanced
by a wagon wheel coffee table and
light fixtures made from wagon
wheels, used in by -gone days,
along with the wagon, as tran-
sportation. Bases for reading
lamps are from polished portions
of knotted and }marled trees. Even
the candle holders are made from
silvered horseshoes.
The large stone fireplace, breaks
the chill of cool mornings and is
kept roaring continuously, as the
main source of heat during the
winter months.
In the upper story of the lodge
building are eight rooms. Added
two years ago to the ranch ac-
comodations were five modern
cabins. In contrast to the main
lodge with its "Old West" at-
mosphere, the modern deluxe
cabins are complete with electric
heat, carpeting, two bedrooms,
bath fireplace, and kitchen. Also
available are eight semi -modern
cabins.
With the arrival of the
snowmobile era, the dude ranch is
truly a year-round sportsman's
paridise. While before the
motorized sleds, the Coxes' winters
were quite lonely, however during
the past winter they said
snowmobilers filled the lodge
every weekend except two.
When fall arrives, with the
opening of hunting season, pack
trips are organized for hunts which
include the big horn sheep,
mountain goats, elk, deer, and
bear. Experienced guides,
packers, horses, equipment, and
food are provided for the hunting
trips which usually last from a
week to 10 days.
Lafe Cox was reared at the ranch
and went to school in Yellow Pine,
10 miles east of there, driving a
sled pulled by a team of dogs every
day.
For two winters the Coxes
wintered their horses in Emmett
where Lafe met Emma. The were
married in 1940 and lived on Big
Creek before taking over the
operation of the ranch in 1943.
During those years mail and
supplies were brought into the area
once a week by dog sled.
The Coxes have two daughters
Janet and Roxie who attended
grade school in Yellow Pine and
now both are married.
Lafe, who has been left slightly
crippled from a bone softening
disease, and his charming blonde
wife, manage the dude ranch
operation with explicit
organization.
He owns and breeds thorough-
bred Morgan horses, which
presently number 38 and also owns
twelve pack mules. He maintains
the ranch area and a rather
eleborate blacksmith shop. The
seasoned rancher is a licensed and
bonded member of the Idaho
Outfitters and Guides Association
and accompanies the majority of
the guided tours, whether they be a
two hour horse -back ride up the
scenic mountains, a day -long
fishing trip to a mountain lake, or a
10 day pack trip for big game
hunters. During the summer
months four ranch hands assist
him with the operation.
If you stop by the lodge in the late
afternoon, chances are the first
thing to greet you will be the aroma
of freshly baked bread.
Emma often feeds as many as
50 guests at a meal in the dining
room of the lodge. The elaborate
fare presented at mealtime is
served family style and includes
homemade delicacies such as pies,
breads, and jams.
Not only is she a marvelous cook,
but she manages to keep the lodge
and cabins sparkling clean, and is
also bookkeeper for the ranch. She
is assisted in the summer months
by two helpers. Emma seldom
finds time to accompany her
husband on the horseback tours,
however in the winter she enjoys
pastel painting as a hobby.
Although both Emma and Lafe
have very busy schedules they
always seem to find time for
friendly chats with their guests,
making them feel entirely at
home.Perhaps the warm, friendly
atmosphere felt there makes it the
outstanding place that it is.
Guests from all over the United
States have come to the ranch for
recreation and relaxation. Once
they've been there, they return
time after time.
For the past few years the Coxes
have contemplated selling the
ranch. However, Lafe says when he
does sell he plans to retire to a 160
acre plot of land he owns, east of
the ranch site. "I've been here too
long to leave", he said.
After listening to the rippling
creek, made silver on a moonlit
night, seeing the colorful array of
wild flowers amidst thick green
pines in the mountains or seeing a
trout springing from an isolated
mountain lake, it's quite easy to
understand his decision.
.7T Sta t^ 4e s
of 19/1
Rijac?
Five new modern delux cabins have recently been
added to ranch accomodations. They are com-
pletely furnished, electrically heated, ane fully
carpeted. Star- News Photo.
/1e 5fa 1- N� u15
AUK .,197i
d
Pal e
The peaceful serenity of Coxes Dude Ranch is
pictured with pine laden mountains as a
background and the glittering Johnson Creek at the
entrance, bridged by a rather rustic structure.
Star -News Photo.
the sta g- Newer Aug i s 1971
Page 44
Lafe and Emma Cox, owners of the Dude Ranch
for the past 27 years, provide a warm, friendly
atmosphere for their guests. The large stone
fireplace lends its own warmth to the authentic
Western atmosphere of the Lodge lobby. Star -News
Photo
The_ 5'tdf New'a A ia��g11
Pate 5-
An hour's ride by horseback up the steep
mountain north of the ranch shows an aerial type
view of the breath -taking beauty of the Johnson
Greek ranch, surrounded by massive mountains.
Star -News Photo.