We would like you to have a premier, no regrets, vacation experience.  To that end we recommend the following:

Lost Sky Ranch is located off of Route 54 north of Carrizozo New Mexico. We are almost equally distant from Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. The drive time from either of these cities is around three hours. Please plan on arriving before local sunset. There are no lights along the four mile single lane gravel road to our property and free range cattle are common along and on the road. Also white lights, including car headlights, are highly discouraged after dark. The people that live in this area value the solitude and stillness that living here provides. To help preserve this we will provide specific directions to our property with your confirmed reservation.

Please plan your stay for a remote desert location.  Pack hats, sunglasses, long sleeve shirts and plenty of sun block.  We are at an elevation higher than Denver.  The stars at 6000 feet are amazing but the sun can also be more intense than you would expect.  Use caution while watching the sunrise and sunset. These can be spectacular but lack the haze that comes with lower altitudes. Never look directly at the sun even at sunrise and sunset.

Bring a good pair of binoculars. These are great accessory both day and night. The south view visible from all of the rooms is an expansive vista. It’s not unusual to see cattle, horses and wild game like antelope grazing nearby. It’s amazing what you can see across the night sky with a simple pair of 10x70 binoculars.

This is a very dry climate.  We will help you stay hydrated with bottled water. 

We Are A Remote Desert Location

Our climate is very mild.  We are high enough that summer days are pleasant and not too hot.  We are far enough south that winters are easy.  We see some occasional light snow that will melt off within a few hours.  Be aware that even summer nights can become quite cold.  While we are a desert location you will want to pack warm clothes for nighttime activities.  Winter coats are not out of line for all but mid-summer.   Our observatory complex has a warming room / studio for your comfort.  Remote imaging from our telescopes is available from within the warming room.

The daytime hours during some seasons can become quite windy.  Not to worry, they die down during the early evening for a prime nighttime experience.   Daytime cloud cover will often dissipate and provide clear skies after dark.

We are a long way from emergency services.  Please be aware of this if you have a medical condition that may require specific or rapid response.  Think of it like a cruise ship.  Helicopter evacuation to Albuquerque is available but is very expensive and may not be covered by your medical insurance. 

Lost Sky Ranch covers 50 acres of open range.  This includes the main house, guest house, observatories, a hanger and a private air strip.  The area around the main buildings is fenced for your comfort and safety.  Please stay within the fenced area, on the road or on the hiking trail.  New Mexico range land is full of things that will scratch, sting or bit you.  Please stay clear of the runway.

Everyone asks so we’ll just say it. Yes, rattle snakes are in the area and have been seen on Lost Sky Ranch property but this is very rare. We take steps to minimize any risk within the fence line. We continually trap for anything edible that would draw a snake and we keep brush back and away from all paths and buildings. If you would like to go for a hike along the road or the hiking path we have snake gaiters available upon request. These are hard plastic shells that you wear over the tops of your shoes and calves and provide protection.

And yes, everyone eventually asks so we’ll just say this too. We are a short distance from the actual alien crash site made famous by the Roswell story, but sorry, there are no aliens here or anywhere near by. There can be day and night military activity in the area. We are also not far from the White Sands Missile Test Range. It’s possible that you may hear and see military jets fly over the property. You may rarely see something unusual in the sky at night. It’s most likely the US Air Force, not aliens.

We have seen tarantulas here. They run around in the open during breeding season. While the creep factor is very high they’re pretty much harmless. Look with wonder and curiosity but we recommend not touching them.

Large predators like mountain lions and bobcats have been reported in the area from time to time. We haven’t seen a lion but we have found their tracks on the property. These animals are mostly nocturnal, shy and avoid humans. There have been no attacks or injuries. Most often they are caught on game cameras set up at locations with water. Seeing one of these animals is a very rare and special event.

Charro cactus are plentiful in this area. The spines are long and very sharp. These are nasty little bastards. Please keep your distance from anything that looks like an upside down octopus on crack. Once again, please stay on the paths and drive whenever possible to make your stay a pleasant one.

In short, watch where you step. Watch where you walk. Keep in mind where you are and you’ll have an unforgettable stay that you won’t regret.

The hanger and runway facilities are not open to the public.  Pilots should note that this is a high altitude short and narrow dirt strip.  We provide no aircraft or pilot services.  We are also surrounded by military use airspace.  Low altitude high speed jet traffic and alien UFO’s are  always a possibility and will occur both inside and outside of the designated military areas.  If you are a pilot let us know and we can arrange to pick you up at the nearest paved public airport (Carrizozo F37).  Pilots from lower altitudes should note that density altitude will be a significant part of your New Mexico flight plan. 

You cell phone service will depend on your carrier.  Most phones will work with service between two and three bars. 

Consumables

We would like you to be mindful of resource usage while you are our guest. Living and visiting a remote location makes you aware of so many things that you take for granted when you live in a community. Going to town to pick up something that you forgot can be a day trip. Amazon Prime two day guaranteed delivery is available here but it often takes up to a week to get your package.

So here are a few things to be aware of.

Electricity

Not a problem. We have electric service like any where else.

Internet

We have satellite internet service for our guests and will provide the password if you request it. Performance may be slower than you’re used to and there will be some latency (a lag in performance) that comes with satellite service especially during prime usage hours. High bandwidth services like streaming video or large downloads are especially troublesome with satellite service and we try to avoid them.

Many of our guests have found that they can achieve better performance and have a more satisfying experience while here by using their personal cell service. Let us know if you would like assistance setting up your cell service as a secure personal hot spot.

Gas For Your Car

The nearest gas pump is in Carrizozo. Please plan your coming and going with this in mind. Don’t stretch your fuel. Make sure you have enough to get where you want to go.

Food

We don’t care if you eat PBWF (Plant Based Whole Food), Vegan, SAD (Standard American Diet), or like you just walked across the desert to an all you can eat buffet, we’ll do our best to keep you satisfied at breakfast.

Please let us know if you have a food allergy or dietary limitation. We will prepare your breakfast with special care.

Please plan or preparing your own lunch and dinner. This may involve some careful planning as the nearest small grocery store with a limited choice is 25 miles away in Carrizozo. There’s a Super Wallmart 75 miles away in Alamogordo.

We will have a limited supply of frozen pizza and other entrees that we will provide at our cost. So, if your hungry just ask.

Water

There is no natural water here.

We bring every drop of water to the property with a trailer from 25 miles away.

The water we store in our twin 3000 gallon tanks is Carrizozo city water which in turn comes even further away. This water is safe for any use. We use it ourselves every day.

Please help us conserve it.

Even little things like letting the water run while you brush your teeth or shave can make a big difference over time and result in many additional trips to fetch more water.

Preserving these consumables, especially water, will help reduce the cost of visiting Lost Sky Ranch.

Our primary concern will always be making sure that you have a safe and satisfying stay. Please make us aware of anything that is reducing the quality of your stay or not meeting your expectations. We’ll do our best to make it right.

If you need anything just ask.