B Bar Gazette – January 2026
| Issue #31 January 2026 |
| Putting yourself out there—to be part of something greater—doesn’t just happen. It requires staying involved in your own life and trusting your decision-making power. It means being open to opportunities as they unfold, without shying away from the adversity that often comes with them. |
| For months, I had been looking forward to a backcountry hut trip to Ouray, Colorado. Unfortunately, this winter has been a dry one, and getting to the hut would have meant carrying skis on our backs instead of ski touring. I came back to the question: Why am I going on this trip in the first place? To adventure with my partner. To be open to challenges. To get our ski legs under us for the season. At the last minute, the hutmeister postponed the trip, which made our decision easy. We headed north—to the Canadian Rockies, an elusive place I hadn’t experienced before. Lexi and I started in Whitefish, staying with my cousin Will and wife Erika before they left on a month-long bikepacking trip in New Zealand. We picked up B Bar beef from Third Street Market and spent the evening talking about their upcoming adventure. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip, check out their channel Phelps on the Fly—they’re all-around hardcore adventure seekers who tell stories through filmmaking and fly fishing. They also had a beautiful wedding at B Bar Ranch two summers ago, and we’d love to host more weddings like theirs in the future. |
| Will and Erika in Tom Miner Basin, June 2024. |
| Reflecting about storytelling, I was reminded of a conversation in December at the Montana Organic Association conference. I met a rancher I admire deeply, Glenn Elzinga, whose newsletter I’ve followed for years. He always has an authentic story to share—nothing forced, nothing polished beyond recognition. I asked him if he writes his newsletter ahead of time. He smiled and showed me the story he had just submitted—from his cell phone. That day, he had written about Aurochs—ancient cattle—and how they often emerge as leaders within a herd, guided by instincts sharpened by generations of predator awareness. Glenn has seen our Ancient White Park cattle before and was excited to point out how they, too, carry those ancestral traits. He also mentioned that some of the best beef he’s ever eaten was from a mature AWP cow from B Bar Ranch. |
| Suffolk Punch horses grazing with Emigrant Peak in the background. |
| Then another story surfaced: two of his Suffolk Punch horses carried B Bar brands. It took him years to realize they had come from Tom Miner Basin, from our breeding program that ended decades ago. Simply by showing up, starting a conversation, and sharing honest context, we discovered just how much crossover we have. We even talked about the past—when we replaced Glenn as the Co-Op’s main beef provider years ago because our pricing was so low. At the time, our herd was too big for our britches and we needed to sell lots of beef fast. Today, we’re priced squarely in the middle of the market, offering an affordable, healthy, local option for families and everyday folks. I feel lucky to have met Glenn and look forward to learning more alongside him. |
| With lots of windshield time along the Kootenai Highway—affectionately known as the Powder Highway—I reflected on the many unique moments of this past year. Lately, patience and acceptance have been our teachers. The basin floor is still open grass instead of snow. While we’ve received plenty of moisture, much of it down low has come as rain. We’re waiting to open our cross-country ski trails for all who are eager to experience the Basin in winter—trusting that, in time, the season will arrive. |
Buy Tickets for the Ramshorn Classic
As we turn the page into a new year, we’re wishing you a healthy, steady start to 2026 from all of us at B Bar Ranch. While we wait patiently for snow to settle into the Basin, a lot is quietly coming together. Two new accommodations—the West Skully Cabin and the West Wing—are now open for winter stays. The Ramshorn Classic is just around the corner. We’re already taking reservations for summer 2027 (hard to believe), and out on the range, the beef is looking more marbled and tasting better than ever. Thank you for being part of this place, in every season. We look forward to sharing what the year ahead brings.
Warmly,
Jackson
| Our B Bar Family Maryanne Mott - General Manager and Owner Annie Statham - Assistant Guest Ranch Manager Jackson Stewart - Marketing and Sales Manager Amy Berndt - Ranch Administrator Kenney Berndt - Maintenance Foreman Troy Lerwill - Maintenance Technician Artie Squire - Maintenance Technician Mark Rose - Land & Livestock Manager Claire Beimel - Horticulture Brandon Schmidt - Guest Services El Stone - Bookkeeper Mary Malley - Tom Miner Office Assistant Mihail Kennedy - Production Manager Shea Kennedy - Cattle & Grazing Coordinator Randy Mesce - Maintenance Technician Kristian Mesce - Big Timber Office Assistant Esme Wessel - Big Timber Ranch Hand |