Life on the Edge of Palo Duro Canyon
One of the most exciting things about our ranch is its location right on the edge of Palo Duro Canyon. For those of you unfamiliar with it, Palo Duro is the second-largest canyon in North America, just behind the Grand Canyon. Its sheer size and beauty add a dimension to our ranch that most places don’t have.
When I first moved to Texas six years ago after living in Colorado, I was used to seeing elevation rise—mountains towering over everything. But here, the elevation drops, and let me tell you, standing on the edge of the canyon and looking 1,000 feet down is something else entirely.
Why We Use the Canyon Pastures
At the base of the canyon, we have pastures that are perfect for grazing. The temperature down there is about 10°F warmer, which offers natural protection from the elements. Plus, the grass at the bottom is excellent—some of the most nutritious grazing in the country. But even with that great grazing, we still supplement the cattle’s diet with grain to help with their weight and overall health.
Getting that grain down into the canyon is where things get interesting.
From Zip Lines to Military Hummers
In the early days of the ranch, there was no road down to the base of the canyon. A full-time cowboy lived down there to take care of the cattle, and the ranch used a massive zip line to send grain and supplies down to him. The remains of that zip line are still there today—maybe I’ll share a picture of it in a future newsletter.
Thankfully, we’ve come a long way. There’s now a road leading into the canyon, but it’s not for just any vehicle. The road, known as Bull Trail, drops over 1,000 feet in a quarter of a mile. That’s steep enough to make even the most confident driver think twice. For trips like this, we bring out the big guns—our military Hummer with a feeder on the back.
A Foggy Morning Adventure
This past Wednesday, Sam and I loaded up the Hummer with feed and headed into the canyon. The morning started with thick fog, making the descent feel even more adventurous. As we drove down, the fog lifted just enough to settle in the base of the canyon, creating the effect of a giant cloud resting on the ground. It was a sight I won’t forget anytime soon.
The cattle were waiting for us, and even though they’re plenty fat from grazing, they still get excited when we arrive. Sam likes to yell “Donuts!” to the cows, explaining that their excitement for grain is the same as ours for a good donut. We activated the siren to let them know breakfast was served, and they came running.
The Next Generation
One of the best parts of feeding the cattle this time of year is seeing the new calves. There’s something special about watching new life begin and knowing that these calves will be the future of our herd. They’ll get the best care we can give—clean water, nutritious food, health checks, and protection every step of the way.
Climbing Back Out
Once the feeding was done, it was time to head back up Bull Trail. The climb out of the canyon can be intimidating—you don’t want to lose momentum on such a steep incline. But with the Hummer, we made it out smoothly, ready for the next trip in just a few days.
Life on the ranch never slows down, but it’s mornings like these that make me grateful for the work we do here. There’s always an adventure waiting just around the corner—or, in this case, at the bottom of the canyon.
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