History of Ute Trail

History of Ute Trail Ranch

Ute Trail Ranch was homesteaded in 1890 when Harry Youmans claimed 160 acres under the United States Homestead Act. Youmans was a craftsman/builder who had moved to the Lake City area in the 1880s. In 1902 Youmans sold the ranch to Karl Benson. Benson had a wife and six sons and he operated the ranch as a cattle ranch from 1902 to 1946. He built the old barn (now 100 years old) and some other structures. Many of the agricultural tools and machines he used are displayed now at the ranch.

In 1946 Karl Benson sold the ranch (which he had expanded to 1200 acres) to Dr. Malcolm Bowers and Alton (Hop) Hopkins. Hop Hopkins built five cabins in 1946 and started Ute Trail Ranch, Western Camp for Boys. Hop and his wife, Susan, operated the camp from 1946 through 1973. They had 40 boys a term for three summer terms. Malcolm Bowers and his wife, Virginia, and the Hopkins also had cattle on the ranch during these years. In 1965 Hop Hopkins built the A Frame Lodge for the Bowers.

In 1973 the Bowers and Hopkins sold the 1200 acres to George and Nancy Seay of Dallas, Texas who continued the camp for another six years. They added a riding ring, softball field and converted the store to a sixth cabin. The Seays continued the camp program emphasizing horseback riding, backpacking, horseback pack trips, crafts, riflery, archery, softball, fishing and river rafting.

In 1978 George and Nancy Seay sold the ranch to George's uncle and aunt, Charlie and Sadie Seay. The camp was closed in 1979 and the Seays used the ranch mainly for fishing and guests. They built a new pond at the Horseshoe Meadow by the river and enlarged the A Frame as well as purchasing several more contiguous ranches.

In 1993 the Seays sold the ranch (now 1400 acres) back to George and Nancy Seay and their Children, George and Pauline. The Seay Family began searching for a Christian camp operator and in 1996 entered into a lease with Presbyterians For Renewal Youth Ministry. PFR Youth Ministry ran the camp for eight summers. After this a new lease was made with Sky Ranch who has now operated the camp since 2005.