Phone: (970) 224-1222 | office@sundancetrail.com

Check Availability

Menu
  1. Dude Ranch Staff Page –>>

Dude Ranch Staff Page – People.

 

Organizational Chart:

  1. Ellen doesn’t report to anyone.
  2. Dan and Marketing Manager (Sarah) report to Ellen.
  3. Barn Manager (Remy) reports to Dan.
  4. All wranglers report to Barn Manager (Remy) except when “loaned” to another Manager.
  5. All kitchen and housekeeping staff report to Front-of-the-House Manager or Ellen (except when “loaned” to another Manager).
  6. When the Events Manager (Sarah) is hosting a wedding or other event, we ALL report to her and do whatever she asks, preferably without bitching.

Each staff member will be given a personal weekly schedule with assigned days off and assigned duties each day (such as feeding horses, scullery wench, rifle range master or campfire s’mores-maker, etc.). 

This weekly schedule will repeat each week, not changing EXCEPT:

  • when Events Manager has last minute weddings/events booking,
  • a neighbor needs help with an emergency,
  • significant guest requirements arise (such as handicapped guests) or
  • staff members are added or removed from the schedule (we encourage a mid-season break for each of us).   
  • If Lassie is telling us that Tommy fell down the well (again…) 

[You MUST have a Gmail account to access weekly schedules and lots of other documents that we share on Google Drive.] Before breakfast each morning, all Managers will meet for a 5 minute stand-up meeting to confirm staff assignments or last minute changes & additions. Immediately after breakfast, each manager then meets with her/his staff to confirm the day’s assignments. If staff members are “loaned” to another manager, they will report to that manager for the remainder of the day or until told otherwise. That manager will report back to make sure that all loaned staff members preformed duties to the best of their ability (or otherwise). 

Note well: one of the things that makes our ranch stand out from other ranches is our willingness to be as flexible as possible. The only thing that you can depend on around here is change. There will be days (such as when we have a severely handicapped guest, a neighbor in need or a last minute event booking) when your assignment may change three times!

This means that you will always be on a team, and that team is likely to change every day! If you require repetition, consistency, and/or lots of supervision, you will not be happy here.

Your packing list – what to bring.  Other basic information and critically important articles you must know before you arrive.

Guide to the folks around here in no particular order (except the ghost is last)…

Dude Ranch Staff: Ellen & Dan Morin
Position: Mainly owners, but do everything
Email: ellen@sundancetrail.com & dan@sundancetrail.com
 
 
Ellen & Dan have been married for 50 years, and are parents of three children: Teresa, Gary & Peter (who are now grown). Most of their married life was spent in Michigan, but they also lived in Texas for a few years before buying the STR. They are both RN’s by training; Dan has been a home care & hospice administrator, Ellen is a Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner. Ellen is sometimes referred to as HMTRQ or just RQ for “Her Majesty the Ranch Queen.” Dan is referred to as the AO which stands for… well, never mind….
Draco, Dan, and Ellen
Draco, Dan, and Ellen

Barn Staff:

Name: Remy Ayscue
Position: Barn Manager
Dates: Year-Round
 
Hey y’all! I’m Remy and I’m from North Carolina. I graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in Recreation Management, Outdoor Experiential Education in 2023.
 

I’ve worked with young people in various settings, mainly outdoors. I’ve led climbing, caving, backpacking, camping, canoeing, and more for kids, teens, and young adults. I enjoy helping people get outside, creating unforgettable experiences, introducing new pastimes, and helping ignite new passions among others. I grew up with horses – my family had a few horses and we rode at a local barn, mainly trail riding. I worked at a stable for a little while as a teen, feeding, cleaning and otherwise caring for the horses.

I’m into all things outdoors! I love nature, mountains, and exploring. Some of my favorite activities are climbing, paddling, caving, and snowboarding. My dog, named Friday, is my partner in crime.

 
Pocahontas, Remy, and Friday
Pocahontas, Remy, and Friday
Name: John Clark
Position: Wrangler
Dates: Year-Round

Lodge Staff:

Name: Fred Locklear
Position: Head Chef
Dates: Year-Round

Office/Events Staff:

Name: Sarah Hanssen
Position: Marketing, Sales, and Events Manager
Dates: Year-Round
Email: office@sundancetrail.com & events@sundancetrail.com
 
Hello! I’m Sarah and I am the Marketing, Sales, Events, and general admin Manager for Sundance (and support everywhere else where I’m needed). I’m from Charlottesville, Virginia, but made the trek from the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) area summer of 2024. I am a Clemson University graduate (go Tigers!) and worked in project management and marketing for 3 years post-graduation.
 
After facing severe corporate America burnout and dreaming of ditching city life, I chose to move out here and experience life in the Rockies. I grew up riding horses, trained English, and showed for many years, but have primarily ridden Western over the last few years when I have the chance. I love all things nature and animals, love riding, finding great hikes, and meeting wonderful people! If you ever need a riding buddy, I’m your girl!
 
Sarah and Little Joe
Sarah and Little Joe
Barn Cats: Nubbs, Chocolate, Rowdy, and Yellow
Email: Don’t

Bios: You will never see Nubbs except for the occasional glimpse (he’s feral). Chocolate and Rowdy will walk under your feet until you pick them up (they love people); Rowdy is Chocolate’s baby. Yellow tentatively loves attention, but is also shy.

Dude Ranch Staff: Lady Catherine Moon
Name: Gratton
Dates: Year-Round
Lady_Katie

The Story of Princess Redfeather (Tsianina Redfeather Blackstone)

This is the story of the Indian princess for whom Red Feather Lakes is named.

Tsianina Redfeather was born December 13, 1882, in the Indian reservation territory of Oklahoma. Her Creek and Cherokee ancestors were uprooted from their southeastern United States homeland, then forced to march to the Oklahoma Territory between 1820 and 1842. So many died along the way that it was called the “Trail of Tears.”

All of her seven sisters and two brothers had musical talent, but Tsianina’s was outstanding.  She won scholarships to study music in Denver and New York. In Denver she met composer and pianist Charles Wakefield Cadman.  After that, she toured the world as a mezzo-soprano, often with Cadman. The opera “Shanewis” written by Cadman, was based on Tsianina’s life story which she performed at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1918. Her theme song was Cadman’s “Land of Sky Blue Water,” but “Indian Love Call” was another of her famous songs.  She also sang tribal songs in 7 or 8 different tribal tongues. She toured all over the world, even in Europe during World War I. While touring, she wore traditional clothing of soft leather; she braided her hair and wore headbands she beaded herself. In 1922 she was touring the country when Dr. D.O. Norton heard her sing.  He and several men who had invested in resort property northwest of Fort Collins decided to name the small mountain village in her honor, so they called it Red Feather Lakes.  They also gave Indian names to many of the area’s lakes:  Hiawatha, Ramona, Apache and Shagwa. She worked with various organizations to help her people.  One group helped to get American Indians their US citizenship.  She also founded the American Foundation for the Education of the American Indians and the First Daughters of America.  She wrote a book titled “Where Trails Have Led Me.” Princess Tsianina is remembered as someone who charmed the world as a mezzo-soprano, pianist, writer, composer and a politician who did much for her people. This remarkable woman truly deserved having the beautiful mountains of Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, named for her.
Tsianina Redfeather