mission: wolf

I can't believe I have lived an hour and a half away for years and yet never taken a visit until now. The family that runs this sanctuary does amazing work and if you want to get up close and personal with a wolf and learn more than you thought you ever could in just a short visit this is the place. A wonderful family event and a cause worth getting behind!

I've traveled the globe and seen more amazing things than I can remember but none were as impactful on my life as a visit to Mission Wolf. I was with a group of my close guy friends including one who used to work here when he was much younger. We were out for a week of hiking and stayed onsite at MW for a couple of days. Kent and his band of merry men (and women) are amazing. The wolf preserve is spacious. This is not some cramped zoo. The sole focus is "what is best for these wolves". We got to go into one of the enclosures where there were two adults and a few pups. The pups were having a blast with a human girl pup around 7 years old. We were instructed that "if" the wolves chose to interact with us that they would come stick their muzzle (nose/mouth) directly in our face to smell us. And that is exactly what happened. What an amazing experience connecting with these magnificent creatures in a natural habitat. If MW didn't rescue these gorgeous animals they'd be goners. Nestled in the mountains it's like a scene from a movie. It it definitely off the beaten path and not the most convenient to get to but DO GO!!!

Located in a remote corner of Colorado's Wet Mountains, Mission Wolf is dedicated to providing a safe home for wolves who never should have left the wild, and now must be protected from themselves.If you visit the website, they will give directions to Mission Wolf from the north (i.e., Westcliffe). If you're adventurous and have a higher-clearance car, give it a try. Otherwise, head for Gardner, Colorado. About three miles north is Muddy Creek Ranch. On the other side of the road is County Road 634. Take that one! It's graded and takes you -nearly- straight to the turn to Mission Wolf. Whatever you do, DO NOT trust your GPS unit to take you there!Once there, you will be met by a volunteer, or even the founder of Mission Wolf, Kent Weber. In short order, someone will lead you and your group on a tour, pointing out the wolves in their natural, woodland habitats. Each wolf has a story, and many of them would have ended tragically had Mission Wolf not been able to give the wolf a forever-home.Ask lots of questions and take lots of pictures. But don't bring your pets, as they cannot be out of the vehicle and within sight of the wolves, it makes them very nervous. This is not a zoo. It's the last chance to provide a life of dignity, safety and enrichment to the living treasures of our wild places.

We visited mission Wolf this past weekend with my children , ages 4 and 7. We went on a feeding day but I was aware of this so kept them clear of the "food prep" area. They were preparing a horse for feeding and I didn't want my children to see that although they were interested. We arrived at 11 and took the entire tour ... NONE of the tour was graphic... Not sure what other reviewers are referring to. We also stayed to greet the wolves... They even allowed my 4 year old to go in because he was so well behaved and interested. Sitting eye to eye with a wolf and petting it is a very humbling experience. These creatures are so docile and gentle and have really been given a bad rap by the people in this world. We also stayed for the feeding. I did not allow my children to participate in giving the wolves their meat only because I knew we had access to very little water for hand washing. My children were not grossed out by the wolves eating at all! Nor was it gory... It is the way the circle of life works and they understand that. It was so informative and such a unique experience that we plan on going back again and again!!!

The wolves were beautiful, the guide was informative. It's a heck of a drive to get there, be prepared with a vehicle that won't mind the gravel, ruts, rocks, narrow passes and tight turns. The views are gorgeous if you take the directions from Bishop's Castle.The downside... if you are going on a "big feed" day, be prepared to see more than you bargained for. When we arrived, they were "preparing" a horse for the afternoon feeding... In full view of the parking lot and you have to walk past the butchering area. There was a little kid in another group that wouldn't stop crying after he realized what he was seeing. Pack a lunch because there is nothing for miles around. It's a 16 mile drive that took us over an hour to make with the road conditions... and it was a sunny, dry day.

Mission: Wolf is not easy to get to, and that is a good thing. Built far off the beaten path in the Sangre de Cristo mountains near Gardner, Colorado, Mission:Wolf provides for these misunderstood and noble creatures in a way that ensures both their safety and comfort, while allowing guests to learn about wolves--safely and without over interference. If you are looking for a fantastic, scenic, educational adventure for your family, this is it. You can camp on the grounds. You could also donate your aging/injured livestock to be humanely slaughtered on the premises and fed to the wolves. Yes. It is a bit throat-gripping to think of that but nothing about the food chain is exactly tender and sweet, and this is a wonderful way to help this rapidly dwindling species. Volunteers for the summer are often accepted, but contact the organization.

The wolves and their volunteer caretakers are both amazing. Our group was grandparents (50's), parents (30's) and grand kids age 14-12-8 and all visited with the wolves and helped with a big Saturday feed. If you fear it, learn about it. It will change your world and hopefully more. This is a non-profit so be generous. Visit the website to learn before you go. I have to mention we took a minivan and got stuck in the heavy snow within sight of the complex and they came to get us and dug us out when done. Amazing wolves and people!!! You will not regret this.

We planned our trip to Colorado around visiting Kent and the wolves. We made the right choice and our lives will never be the same.We've seen Maggie, Abe, and Zeb in CT when they've come to visit during Kent's educational tour with the ambassador pack (thanks to our friends at Wolf Central). To see all the wolves, in their home environment, along with the new pups was a real treat. Our guide for the morning, Liz, was leaving the next day to go back to school. She was studying wolf-human interaction and really did a wonderful job on the tour! Her time at the sanctuary really showed and her study of the subject was deep. You heard the melancholy in her voice whenever she spoke about leaving the next day and you knew why. I think if I had the opportunity to volunteer for any length of time, I would be hard pressed to ever leave.Kent was kind enough to spend some time with us while we were there and we met some great people. We got to spend some quality time with Farah and it turns out I give great belly rubs! She was my bestest friend while we were there and it was an unbelievable experience! Forget about just "kissing" a wolf, it was an all out make-out session! My wife seems OK that "the other women" is a wolf! So, if you want the life changing experience, get to Mission: Wolf! If you're interested in learning about the plight of one of the most important links in our ecosystem that is on the verge of collapse due to lack of education, greed, unjust fear, and sometimes just plain stupidity please visit Mission: Wolf, their website, or see if the ambassador pack is coming to your area. I promise you your life will change and you will learn something. And if you have the means, please volunteer or donate. They are completely self-sustaining and have a very important education mission to carry out.On a side note, if you do visit, something other than a sports car is highly recommended! We had a Nissan Xttera rental and it was perfect for the back country trip. The roads a little rough that far out.

This place is truly in the middle of nowhere, but that is part of what made it special. I had no idea there was so much open land back there. Anyway, a very energetic, happy, and knowledgable young woman gave us a great tour. We learned a lot about wolves. We pitched a tent on their grounds and got to hear the wolves howl at dusk and dawn, a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

find out about the wolves in their semi "natural" setting. call ahead of time to find out the feeding times, makes it more interesting. Don' t forget to leave a few $$ to help feed the wolves!

This is a very special place. I felt a real connection with the wolves. Such beautiul animals. The sound of them howling was almost a spiritual experience. Worth the rough road drive to get there... really.

I love the sustainability of this place, and how their chief goal is to honor these wolves. There were 37 when we visited, though we only saw about 8. Just as an FYI, they don't guarantee you'll see ANY though, as they are NOT a zoo. It's a trek off-road to get out there, but was worth it. I just wish we'd had more cash to purchase at the gift-store. We also did not get to feed or interact with the wolves at close range like some others had experienced. I would only recommend this to kids that are older than 5 or 6, and who can be controlled and quiet, as that is imperative to the experience.

we need to help all wild life, as they are why we live the way we do,

I have to say my most favorite experiences are those involving nature. I read about this place in an article in an Encompass Magazine (aaa). Camping on the premises is allowed at Mission Wolf if there is room, however there were college student volunteers when we arrived. It was suggested that we set up our tent on National Forest property nearby. When we arrived we were given a tour of the facilities and a readers digest version of wolf behavior and instincts as well as the background of each wolf. There is also a board with information which was also very insightful. I learned a great deal in a short amount of time and felt such compassion for these beautiful creatures. We were invited to come back in the evening when the wolves became more active. We set up our tent and returned in the evening. We were lucky enough to be invited in an enclosure to meet the ambassador wolves and also some wolf pups. Greeting wolves is done by allowing the wolves to lick your teeth. What a experience! And they have surprisingly fresh breath! Later at our camp site we were able to listen to the wolf song as they howled to one another. And even later in our tent we heard the yip of the coyotes as they communicated with each other. Then in the morning we again heard the wolf song and I went up to watch them be fed. An amazing experience and one I soon won’t forget. There is no charge for this visit but any donations are accepted and appreciated.

We have visited Mission Wolf twice when staying with our friends who live in Westcliffe, CO which is south of Colorado Springs. I've always been fascinated by wolves but this trip exceeded my previous visit only because we had our daughter and her 3 children in tow. We were beyond lucky when the director came and asked if the kids would like to go in and meet some wolves. We'd had this experience the last time but not being very agile at our advanced age, we were only able to sit on a log and watch as other's had the full experience. This time the kids said a resounding "yes" and in we all went. It is an experience that no one ever forgets, and its said the wolves never forget you etiher. I came home with a new bumper sticker which says: I'm living proof that Wolves don't eat Grandmas! and a conviction that everything you've ever heard about wolves is probably wrong. If you are ever in this part of the country - please make the effort to go and meet them!http://www.missionwolf.com