Big ranches encompass probably millions of acres between Yarnell and Prescott, Arizona, many of them owned by Rex Maughan.
A couple weeks ago I took a ride out Wagner Road…
…which cuts through the TK Bar Ranch.
The TK started off as a mining claim in the early 1900s…
…became a guest ranch in 1947…
…and today is a working cattle ranch.
The road also curves through the Z-Triangle Ranch…
…where Appaloosa horses are trained for pleasure riding.
Just before turning around after a 15-mile slow and scenic ride I encountered the Gold Bar Ranch, seemingly not part of the Maughan empire. Located on the Hassayampa River this working cattle ranch doubles as a Bed & Breakfast offering opportunities to view wildlife and birds, learn to rope a cow, and take guided ATV or horseback rides to nearby Indian ruins, ghost towns and abandoned gold mines.
Enjoyed a semi-sunny day with only a few sprinkles which brought a faint rainbow.
Then headed back on Wagner Road to the main highway home.