Grouse & Crane Tours

Registration required, visit yampatika.org to get registered. 

Nestled within the breathtaking Elkhead area of the Yampa Valley, the Howe Ranch stands as a testament to stewardship and conservation. For half a century, Cal and Penny Howe dedicated their lives to ranching and land stewardship, cultivating a small cow/calf operation before retiring from livestock endeavors in 2012. Now, under the watchful eye of Penny, along with her daughter Emily (a botanist) and son-in-law Jeremiah (a wildlife biologist), the ranch has undergone a profound transformation.

Embracing a new mission, the Howe family has shifted their focus towards nurturing the native flora and fauna of Northwest Colorado. With the land enrolled in a Colorado Cattlemen’s Conservation Easement, the ranch is safeguarded from the encroachment of development for generations to come. A cornerstone of The Ranch’s conservation efforts lies in the stewardship of a sharp-tailed grouse lek under partnership with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) for over two decades. Though Cal’s passing in 2022 left a void, Penny, Emily, and Jeremiah remain steadfast in their dedication to preserving the land and its natural treasures, ensuring that the Howe Ranch continues to serve as a sanctuary for wildlife and a beacon of sustainable land management.

Transportation will be provided for all participants to the Howe Ranch from the Yampatika Office at 925 Weiss Drive in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Snacks and hot drinks will be provided before loading onto our van, and breakfast will be provided after visiting the lek and dancing cranes while chatting with the Ranch owners. All proceeds of this event go to Yampatika and the Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition. For case-by-case exceptions to the age limit and transportation, or to alert us of any dietary restrictions, please contact our office. 

We will meet at the Yampatika office at 3:40am for light snacks and drinks before heading to the Howe Ranch at 3:50am. We will arrive back at the Yampatika office around 11am.