History: The Hunt Ranch is also known as the Hondo Ranch or the Muddy Creek Ranch. The ranch was started in 1918 by Charley Hunt who was living in Cainville. At the time, a coal mine near Factory Butte on the south side of Muddy Creek provided a road to get close to the ranch. Charley extended the road to the Muddy Creek, and to where the ranch site now sits.

Charley tended to the ranch for 12 years, building the two-story house that remains as well as other structures including a cabin and chicken coop. He raised cows, chickens, sheep, and grew hay and corn.

After 10 or so years, Charley gave up on the ranch and his sons Floyd and Rulon took it over. They ran the place briefly before Floyd's wife refused to stay. The ranch was used by a couple of others after the Hunts for grazing, but no one lived there again.

Access Note: Reaching the ranch requires a high clearance vehicle. There are a few rough, rocky spots. If you don't have a 4-wheel drive, this would be an excellent mountain bike ride in cooler seasons. You can also reach the ranch from the south via the Factory Butte road. Be warned if coming from Factory Butte, however, that fording the river in a vehicle is tricky and many people have ended up deeply stuck. All-in-all, I recommend coming in from the described route here, since it is exceptionally scenic and avoids the river crossing.

Camping Note: There are many magnificent primitive camping sites along the road with outstanding views of the San Rafael Reef and colorful Clay Hills.