About the VA Poma Ranch:
Q: What is the altitude at the Ranch?
A: 8,000’ – on the nose.
Q: How cool is it at night?
A: Usually in the 60s or high 50s. A sweater or light jacket is appropriate for evenings.
Cabins are heated and cozy. Afternoon rain showers are not uncommon. A rain
jacket is advisable.
Q: What else should we bring?
A: Your normal travel and sports gear with an emphasis on outdoor and warmer
clothing.
Here’s a run-down on Pagosa weather
| Month
| Hi
| Low
| Precip |
| May | 68 | 31 | 1.38" |
| Jun | 78 | 38 | .86" |
| Jul | 83 | 45 | 1.81" |
| Aug | 80 | 45 | 2.73" |
| Sep | 73 | 37 | 2.06" |
| Oct | 63 | 27 | 2.19" |
| Nov | 49 | 17 | 1.84" |
Source: The Weather Channel
FISHING:
Q: What type and size of fish might I expect to catch?
A: All trout. Rainbow, Cutbow, Brook and Brown (The Weminuche Grand Slam),
ranging from pan size to 22” long.
Q: Is there a nearby lake with a boat ramp?
A: Williams Reservoir, about 5 miles away does – for no wake use.
Photos Page
Q: Is the Ranch all Catch and Release, or can we keep some fish for supper?
A: A limited number of fish may be kept to eat. Talk to us at Ranch Headquarters for how many and where to take them from.
Q: What type of flies are effective?
A: The river has stoneflies, caddisflies, midges and mayflies. So, woolybuggers, elk hair caddis, Adams, hares' ears, bh prince, griffith gnats are all popular along with grasshoppers in the summer.
Q: Is fishing equipment available at the Ranch?
A: Yes. Kids and basic equipment is available for a minimal rental fee.
Q: Is a Colorado fishing license required?
A: Yes. They’re available on line at Colorado Division of Wildlife, at Ski and Bow
Rack and Wolf Creek Anglers and other locations in Pagosa, and at Sportsman’s
Supply, 7 miles short of the ranch on the Piedra road.
HUNTING:
Q: What type of hunting do people do at the Ranch?
A: Mostly large game – elk, mule deer, bear and an occasional cougar.
Q: Which animal is the most sought after?
A: The elk population in the San Juan Mountains is strong and healthy, and, consequently, elk hunting is the most popular. Trophy bulls are harvested each fall along with lesser bulls and cows. Currently, the numbers of elk are somewhat higher than the Division of Wildlife would prefer. Consequently, a cow-only season is scheduled in November.
Q: How do I get information on hunting seasons, how they’re defined, when they are, and what the process of obtaining a license is?
A: Contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife at
www.wildlife.state.co.us , (303) 297-1192 or Colorado Division of Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216.
Q: Is guided hunting available?
A: Yes, through licensed and permitted outfitters. We can provide you with contacts or the Pagosa Chamber of Commerce (see link) can give you a broader range of information.
Q: In addition to staying in your cabins, what other options are there?
A: Drop Camps or staffed camps can be arranged through the same outfitters.
Q: Is there air conditioning at the Ranch?
A: Nope! None needed.
Q: Is the water at the ranch OK to drink?
A: Sure, Lab tests show the tap water is fine. Also, bottled drinking water is provided for your use.
Q: Will my cell phone work there?
A: No, due to the high mountains. Four miles from the Ranch, at “Rooster Rock”, you can receive cell service.
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Q: How do I access the National Forest and the Weminuche Wilderness?
A: National Forest is accessible right out most of our gates or on the Mosca Creek Road.
Several other trailheads are nearby. The Weminuche Wilderness is most accessible
from the Poison Park or Palisades (Wms. Cr.) trailheads. Ask at Ranch Headquarters
for details and directions.
Q: Can we ride horses?
A: Horseback riding is available at two locations at or near Sportsman’s Supply, 7
miles down the road from the Ranch.
Q: Should I bring my bird book?
A: Definitely! And your binoculars. You could spend your whole stay identifying birds – from huge to tiny.
Q: What about riding bicycles?
A: Mountain bikers will find an abundance of riding on and near the Ranch. From easy
and mostly flat at the Ranch to mountain roads, logging roads, two track roads and single track trails. You could spend the summer...
Q: Can stellar constellations be viewed from the Ranch at night?
A: Absolutely. Perhaps clearer than you’ve ever seen them. Bring your star charts or pick one up on the way.
Q: Are there lots of flowers?
A. Lots. And Lots. And lots. Bring your flower key.
Q: What is the nearest airport for private planes?
A: Archuleta County Airport on the Piedra Road near Pagosa, 22 miles from the Ranch.
Q: What about rental cars?
A: Budget or Enterprise are available next to the airport.
Q: How about commercial air service?
A: United Express and America West Airlines fly in and out of Durango (LaPlata
County Airport) from Denver at least twice a day. The airport is roughly an hour
west of Pagosa.
A: Albuquerque, about four hours from Pagosa, has air service by most major airlines including AA, UA, DL, CO, NW, SW, AW, US ETC.
A: Car rentals are available at either terminal.
Q: How far to the nearest restaurant?
A: Indianhead Lodge serves dinner only with 24 hr. reservations. Roughly 4 miles
away near Williams Reservoir. There are numerous restaurants in Pagosa, about 24
miles away.
Q: Where can I buy groceries, etc.?
A: The Ranch has some of the basics available. Indian Head Lodge, about 4 miles from
the Ranch, has more. Sportsman’s Supply, about 7 miles towards Pagosa, carries a
small convenience store level of supplies. The largest City Market in Colorado is in
Pagosa – 24 miles. Inquire at the Ranch House for directions
Q: Who is V. A. Poma?
A: The late Vic Poma and his gracious wife Ethel, owners of the V.A. Poma Ranch,
welcome you, their guests, with warm, western hospitality.
Outstanding Businessman, County Commissioner, Town Councilman, School Board
Member, Red Ryder Roundup Director, Pilot and much more, Vic passed on in 1986.
Artist Ethel, from a historic ranching family and member of the Colorado Cowbells
Association, in her late 80s, is still active in the Ranch operations.
The mission of the Ranch is to continue their dream of generous service, warm
hospitality, and the peaceful enjoyment of the Weminuche Valley and this piece of
Colorado’s spectacular San Juan Mountains.
Q: How long has the Ranch been under the current ownership?
A: Since 1963 when it was purchased from Josephine Martin under continuing use
provisions during her latter years. Charlie and Josephine Martin owned and operated
the Ranch since the early 1900s as a working cattle ranch with minimal guest
accommodations. Known then as the Martin Ranch, it became the Martin-Poma
Ranch, then the Poma Ranch, now the V. A. Poma Ranch in honor of Vic Poma.
Q: When were the cabins built?
A: The ranch house has 22 shells pounded into a log that say 1936. Cabins 2 and 6 were
built in the 50s. Cabins 1, 3 &4 in the late 60. Uncle Bill’s Cabin was remodeled by
-who else- Uncle Bill in the 80s, and the Meeting/Conference building was built in
2004/05. Cabins are rustic, clean and comfortable.
Q: What does the name Weminuche come from?
A: Weminuche was a Ute Indian Chief in the late 1800s. The Southern Ute Tribe at
Ignacio Colorado is, in part, his descendants. It is also said that Weminuche River
means “winding river”
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