The Legend and Lore of Bachelor Gulch
From the Ute Indians who originally settled the western valleys of Colorado to the group of bachelors for whom the area is named, the vibrant legends surrounding Bachelor Gulch persist at our Rocky Mountain resort. Much of the lore centers around seven miners who arrived in the early 1900s: John Anderson, Gunder “Gundy” Berg, Ed Howard, Charley Mays, John Mertz, Ferdinand Smith and Carrothers – a man only recognized by his last name in historical references. The bachelors remained in the area until high-altitude lettuce farming, which found its ideal climate and soil in the area, took root in the 1920s. The venture proved profitable for the new homesteaders until the Great Depression when the farmers were compelled to sell the land, which was used for herding and grazing until the vision of Bachelor Gulch as a resort destination materialized about 40 years later. The legends of the bachelors continue to inspire the resort’s décor: the rock-lined walls of The Bachelor Gulch Spa’s signature Grotto are reminiscent of caves found throughout the Rocky Mountains; the seven meeting and hospitality rooms are named for the bachelors, as is the resort’s café ‘7’; and our Raclette dining experience is offered at Anderson’s Cabin, the original homestead of bachelor John Anderson. Historical legends come to life at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch