Originally, the Last Chance Ranch was a working cattle ranch, very large in deeded acres and in the work which was required from many cowhands living in this mountainous region. In the 1920's, a young couple, not married long, traveled by wagon to set up their home at the Last Chance. Their names were Berdine and Fern Winter. They never had any children, so they devoted their lives to their cattle and sheep operation. Being very religious and honest, hard-working people, they tamed the land, moved barns with horse teams and gave jobs to most all of the local young men in the area. Through time, the ranch was reduced in size, yet the majesty of the Last Chance still remains today. Surrounded by Routt National Forest, the Last Chance sits nestled in a valley, with wide open meadows which abounds with beauty and wildlife. The view just never gets old and as the seasons change, so does the scenery. From the high meadows, one can see all the way to Wyoming, to the Mt. Werner ski mountain (Storm Mountain), to the southern Flat Tops and Pinnacle Peak. These meadows welcome the birthing of baby elk calves and deer, many which never leave and always return in the Spring, keeping it as home. With the numerous natural yearround springs, the 3 ponds hold water and run all year. So naturally, the wild game come for the cold fresh water whenever it seems crunchy dry in other places.

The Last Chance is a very special ranch in that it is not only productive, but it is also beautiful. The old log barns and out buildings hold a mystic about them that make them seem to whisper stories of the old ranchers and Ute Indians. The road which runs through the ranch to the top meadow was originally the Stagecoach road, which stopped at the carriage house (now the hunting lodge of High Camp). One area of the ranch was at one time a summer camp to the Ute Indians and as you sit quietly under the tall pines, you can almost see them camping and hunting game.

In the 60's, two families owned the ranch. Both dads were bankers and each had several children. In the summer months they would come and bring all the family, therefore prompting them to build the log home which is the main house now. In the winter, they would move their cows to Toponas, which was also the winter range for other early cattlemen in the area. These families sold the ranch to Jimmy Dean, owner of Jimmy Dean Sausage and a singer/performer. He produced several television commercials at the ranch, one of which won a big award for being a great TV ad. His group had plans for a dude-ranch operation, which the ranch was well suited. But after taking down several buildings and after several years of enjoyment, the investor had put too much into Condo development in Steamboat, so they had to let go of the Last Chance. That is when we, Kenneth and Johnnie ManChac ,stepped in to make a major life-style change and begin our family.

The first 5 years on the ranch was devoted to restoration and clean-up. Bringing back the original feel of the ranch, and still pushing it into modern times, we have never regretted one single moment. Still today, our desires to continue on the ranch are tremendous. We have developed clients for trailriding, hunting, summer family gatherings, snowmobile riding, cross-country skiing, and most importantly, the cabin rental, which provide income and people to assist with the animal care in the winter so that we can be away with family. All these aspects are income producing, according to the ability of the operators, but we consider ourselves diversified ranchers, putting up hay, running the hunting lodge and still maintaining animals of our choice.