The Ranch At Fossil Creek

     Just a short 2-hour drive north of Anthem, llamas can provide a truly unique family outdoor experience at The Ranch at Fossil Creek in Strawberry, Arizona.  The Ranch at Fossil Creek is fifteen-acres of ponderosa pine covered land nestled right next to the Tonto National Forest.  It is located only one mile from the Fossil Creek Trailhead, a trail that leads to only one of three natural travertine springs of blue-green water in Arizona.
     Llamas are some of the oldest domesticated animals in the world.  Known as the beast of burden for the people in the Andes Mountains of South America, llamas provide native herdsmen with wool for clothing, hides for shelter, pellets for fuel and meat for survival.
     The Ranch at Fossil Creek offers a variety of adventures for guests including hiking with the llamas and overnight pack trips.  Well-trained llamas, like those found at the ranch, are easy to handle.  They walk at about the same pace as a person, and make for excellent hiking companions.  They are even known to ‘hum” as they make their sure-footed journey into the Arizona wilderness.
     One enjoyable ranch outing is the 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. outing to Fossil Creek Springs.  The trailhead is about 6000 feet elevation and quickly drops to 5000 feet at the natural spring.  Several llama buddies carry the gear and the hike is rated moderate to difficult. 
     Once at the natural springs, a day of playing in the blue-green water awaits the ranch guests.   A healthy lunch is provided as guests enjoy some of Arizona’s most magnificent scenery.  In late afternoon the 1000 feet assent begins with those llama buddies carrying the heavy load.
     In the high elevation of the Rim Country of Arizona the end of the day usually finds Valley residents tired and looking for a good nights sleep.
       Exactly adjacent to The Ranch at Fossil Creek is located one of Arizona’s special, contemporary farmhouse Bed & Breakfast called Up The Creek. 
The Up The Creek B & B is located on five acres next to The Ranch at Fossil Creek and the Tonto National Forest.  Highlighted in the June 2007 Phoenix Magazine, Up The Creek Bed & Breakfast offers guests the quiet elegance of rural Strawberry, Arizona. Here one can rest and rejuvenate from the pressures of the Valley or enjoy a hike with  llamas.
     Opening on Valentine’s Day 2004, this traditional bed & breakfast makes guests feel like family while enjoying the clean air, beautiful views and the star filled nights of Arizona’s Rim Country. 
     A full, delicious breakfast is served each day while chatting with other guests from around Arizona and the world.  And, when the dinner hour arrives in Strawberry, Arizona, Mama Joes Italian Foods serves a Tuscan menu that will delight any garlic-loving palette.
     Friendly llamas, a cozy B&B and mouth watering Italian food are a wonderful combination of fun, food, relaxation and a perfect reason to escape to the cool Rim Country found in Strawberry, Arizona.

For more information about The Ranch at Fossil Creek visit http://ranchatfossilcreek.com/ .  For more information about Up The Creek B&B visit www.upthecreekbedandbreakfast.com/.

The Ranch at Fossil Creek

A friendly llama awaits you

Up The Creek B & B