By Rod Kunkel
Sprucedale Guest Ranch
Alpine, AZ
September 6 - 9, 2023
This will not be your typical weekend getaway. We are headed to the Sprucedale Guest Ranch in the heart of the White Mountains in eastern AZ. A couple of our members recently visited the ranch, establishing a relationship that made this event possible. This will be a drive-in event for most of us (about a 5-hour drive from the Phoenix area). There is a nearby open meadow with an unmaintained historic airstrip that is perhaps suitable, but only for properly-equipped backcountry aircraft and highly-experienced backcountry pilots. If interested in flying to this event, please contact me for further information including the requirements for flying in.
The Sprucedale Guest Ranch is a family-owned, working ranch that provides all the ingredients for good old-fashioned fun (rustic cabins, family-style meals, horseback riding, ranch activities, million-star skies).
A typical day includes:
- Hearty/Healthy breakfast
- Morning trail ride (optional)
- Yummy lunch
- Afternoon trail ride (optional)
- Delicious dinner
- Ranch activities (bonfires, games, dancing, hayrides)
Even if you are not interested in the optional horseback rides, there are plenty of activities around the ranch to fill your day. And you can always sit back, sip an adult beverage (BYOB), and read a book if the activities aren’t your style.
The game plan is to arrive on Wednesday 9/6 by early afternoon. Check in time is 2:00PM. We’ll stay 3 nights, departing Saturday 9/9 by 10:00AM.
Check out their website for much more information about the ranch and what it has to offer: https://sprucedaleranch.com
The cost is $155 per night for single occupancy and $300 per night for double occupancy. That includes lodging, all meals, and ranch activities. It does not include the cost of optional horseback rides, which are $40 per ride. Sprucedale will require a $100 deposit to hold your cabin. Registration deadline is Thursday June 15.
If interested, please contact Tiffany Willis @ Sprucedale Guest Ranch directly. Tiffany’s email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tiffany’s phone number is (928) 333-4984. You can pay Sprucedale directly. Sprucedale will charge a $50 cancelation fee if you cancel for non-weather reasons and request a refund. Regardless of the reason for cancelation, you can avoid the $50 cancelation fee by rescheduling a stay within 2 years.
Also, please let me know if you are coming, especially if you’d like more information about flying to this event.
Page Update
I’m pretty confident that our first weekend getaway of 2023 to Page, AZ will be deemed a success. We had 17 people enjoy a weekend of beautiful weather, red rock sight-seeing in Antelope Canyon, Colorado River rafting, and good food/drink. A good time was had by all!
Willcox Update
Our second getaway to Willcox is coming up fast, scheduled for Friday 5/26 - Monday 5/29 (Memorial Day weekend). The game plan is to visit Inde Motorsports, plus partake in a variety of hiking, wine tasting, and eating activities.
As always, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or suggestions.