Canyon River Ranch

A truly unique getaway

Something good did come out of the economic slump. Canyon River Ranch in the Yakima Canyon was meant to be solely for those who bought in on a suite or cabin. Ground was broken in 2008, as was the economy. The plan moved forward, slowly over time, but now you, the general public, have an opportunity to stay, dine and play there. And you are going to love it.

"Suite" really means "condo." Each of the ten suites is 880 square feet overlooking the pool, hot tub, river, and canyon wall. You might see mule deer, big horned sheep, eagles. The master bedroom has a queen bed and half bath. The second room has two larger-than-normal twin beds. There's a full bath in the hall, washer/dryer, full kitchen, dining table, living room with gas fireplace and TV, and large windows to take in that view. All have a veranda or patio.

Suite, courtesy of Canyon River Ranch

Inside the lodge building, there is a great room with couches, fireplace, kitchen, dining room, billiards table and library. There are horseshoe and fire pits, and 1000 feet of river access. Anyone staying can use these facilities. Looking for something more rustic? Try their canvas wall tents with two padded cots, table, chairs, campfire ring, picnic tables, outhouse and boat launch.

This alone is probably enough. Quiet, relaxing, and the first/last/only commercial building that will be built in the Yakima Canyon. The rest of the land is already owned by the Bureau of Land Management or will be soon. But there's so much more.

Red's Fly Shop and the Canyon River Grill are next door. You might have certain expectations of a grill next to a fly shop; drop those right now. There are eight seats at the bar and table seating for 32. All tables have a view of the river. There are numerous choices of high-end and local spirits to sip or have in specialty cocktails paired with appetizers like crispy rockfish tacos with pico de gallo, avocado salad and cilantro-lime sour cream sauce; or baked brie with Swauk Prairie apple butter. All dressings, sauces and mayos are housemade. You might find a pan-seared blackened arctic char; mushroom ravioli; line-caught potato chip-crusted rockfish and chips; or an S.R.F. Kurobuta pork chop. Sure, there's a burger, steak sandwich and turkey club, but you'll be enjoying those with melted provolone, roasted red pepper jam or cranberry chutney.

Chef Patrick Garmong's background includes training at the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan where teachers were some of the best chefs in the world. Working his way up over the years (click here to see his history), he realized he simply wanted to be in the kitchen. He has an innate sense of how flavors work together and his food melds in wonderful ways. As if his talents weren't enough, a Seattle fly fisherman who loves the canyon offered to help get the Grill up and running: Chef Kevin Davis of Blueacre Seafood and Steelhead Diner. "Kevin was instrumental in getting our feet on the ground," says Patrick. "The Blueacre team came over and guided a young staff for 3-4 days. Blueacre's Bruce Sturgeon helped us get our wine program going." One of the best wines comes from their own Syrah vineyard. Though in the middle of a canyon, you're drinking and dining like kings. "We want to provide unique fare. Our draw has to be unparalleled food and service. The menu changes weekly, although we keep certain favorites on all the time, like the burger and fried chicken."

"Fly Shop" really means "full service activity center." You can fly fish (catch and release), hike, raft, taste wine, hunt birds, clay shoot, golf. "The Fly Shop is successful due to its educational component," says Property GM Ron Stiffler. "We call it our RUFF program: Red's U of Fly Fishing," but we also teach people how to shoot. We added "Cast and Blast:" fish half the day and shoot half the day. Event planners are on site and can recommend packages or help you create your own."

They lease 17,000 acres of the Eaton Family Ranch across the road from Red's Fly Shop. There are pheasant, chucker quail, limited mule deer hunting, big horn sheep (can't be hunted unless you win a rare tag draw), and a one-mile sporting clay course set up like a hunting experience. There are state-provided hiking trails and private trails above the vineyard (separate from hunting areas-I asked).

Owners the Robins and Leider families found the property in 2001 and purchased it from previous owners Red and Marlene. There was a small fly shop and campground. They wanted a destination resort based around fly fishing within two hours driving time of Seattle. "It took seven years to plan and get approval for developing a commercial/private property. There was a lot of ecological hurdles since we're so close to the water," explains Ron. "The lodge was built first, then the new fly shop and grill. The next phase is an additional cabin lot development; they've sold eight cabin lots. The final phase includes up to 12 cabin sites. That's all the space there is. It was slow the first years, but in the past 12-18 months, demand has gone through the roof.

The Grill opened in August of 2013. The Syrah is in its fourth bottling, with 2011, 2012, and 2013 in the barrel. It's available to owners only, but is being sold through the Grill. A majority of their business comes from the west side, so they're testing out events to bring locals in as well: cooking classes, wine- and beer-maker dinners, Music in the Canyon. "We want to do what we do really well before we add more," says Patrick. "As demand increases, we'll increase the amount of nights we do dinner and we'll see about breakfast. We have an espresso bar now."

"We're selling an experience and will go where our customers want us to go," says Ron. "Until people actually come and stay, they don't understand what it is." Patrick adds, "It becomes what you want it to be."

If you've never driven through the Yakima Canyon, do it now. It's stunningly beautiful. And it changes throughout the seasons as well as throughout each day. Once you're hooked, it's time to make your reservations to stay at the Ranch. Being in the midst of this amazing place will be something you'll never forget. With limited rentals, it's a must to book early.

Canyon River Ranch
14700 Canyon Rd
Ellensburg, WA 98926
509-933-2100

www.canyonriver.net
lodge@canyonriver.net

Connie Adams/April 2014