Nestled in a serene meadow off Westbank Road, just south of Invermere, British Columbia, K2 Ranch is a living testament to the province’s rich ranching heritage. Founded in 1898 by the intrepid Tom “Blanket” Jones as Elenvale Creek Ranch, the property originally encompassed 640 acres of fertile land, surrounded by the rugged Purcell Mountains and dense forests that define the Columbia Valley. From its earliest days, the ranch combined practical agriculture with a deep connection to the natural landscape, grazing cattle and cultivating potatoes on the fertile meadowlands.
A Legacy of Ownership and Adventure
The ranch’s history is marked by a succession of owners who left their own indelible mark on the land. In 1909, Charles Ellis and Walter Stoddart acquired the property, continuing its agricultural legacy. Twelve years later, in 1921, the ranch was purchased by United States naval Captain MacCarthy, who renamed it K2 Ranch after the legendary mountains he had climbed alongside famed mountaineer Conrad Kain. This era brought not only a new name but also a spirit of ambition and exploration that would define the ranch for decades to come.
Under MacCarthy’s stewardship, K2 Ranch became a model of early 20th-century ranching in British Columbia. Hereford cattle thrived on the rolling pastures, and a series of buildings—including a barn, main house, log cabin, and irrigation systems—were constructed to support both agricultural and domestic life. MacCarthy Lake, another defining feature of the property, was created to irrigate the land and sustain livestock. Beyond ranching, the MacCarthy era was marked by daring mountaineering exploits, with first ascents of iconic peaks such as Mount Robson and Mount Logan, further cementing the ranch’s place in British Columbia’s adventurous spirit.
K2 Ranch Today
Today, K2 Ranch continues to honor its legacy as a working cattle operation, raising approximately 300 cattle each summer. Beyond its agricultural role, the ranch serves as a no-hunting preserve, offering the public limited access for hiking and outdoor exploration. Its trails connect to the Columbia Valley Greenways Trail, a 25-kilometre paved route stretching from Invermere to Fairmont, allowing visitors to experience the stunning vistas and rich biodiversity of the region.
K2 Ranch also plays an active role in the local community, frequently featured in events such as the Wings Over the Rockies Festival, which celebrates conservation, sustainable land use, and the preservation of British Columbia’s rural heritage.
From its origins as a modest cattle and potato farm to its present-day status as a thriving working ranch and conservation landmark, K2 Ranch embodies the enduring spirit of British Columbia’s historic ranches—where tradition, resilience, and a deep respect for the land converge.
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