PARK CITY, Utah — In a significant development within the Western ranching community, Christopher Robinson, a member of the Summit County Council and CEO of the Salt Lake City-based ranching company Ensign Group, L.C., has successfully acquired Pathfinder Ranches, a sprawling 916,000-acre cattle operation located in Wyoming. The acquisition, which was announced in a press release by the listing broker Swan Land Company on January 17, marks a landmark transaction in the region's agricultural landscape and further consolidates Ensign's holdings in the area. Pathfinder Ranches was initially listed for sale on August 6, 2025, at a price of $79.5 million. However, the final sale price has not been disclosed, leaving many in the real estate and ranching sectors speculating about the figures involved in such a high-profile transaction. The deal was facilitated by David Anderson and Matt Anderson of A5 Real Estate, who represented Robinson in the acquisition. Robinson has been a prominent figure in local governance since he was elected to the Summit County Council in 2009. He recently announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026, which has raised questions about his future plans in both politics and business. As the co-owner of The Ensign Group, Robinson has been instrumental in expanding the company's ranching operations, which now encompass over one million acres of both private and public lands across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. The acquisition of Pathfinder Ranches aligns with Ensign's long-term strategy to consolidate and expand its ranching operations. Robinson highlighted the significance of this purchase, describing it as a “reuniting” of land that the company has historically operated. This statement is particularly poignant given that Ensign previously acquired the adjacent Stone Ranch four years ago from the descendants of a family that sold a significant portion of the original Pathfinder holdings back in the 1970s. Pathfinder Ranches spans an impressive geographical area that includes parts of Natrona, Carbon, Sweetwater, and Fremont counties. It stretches from Devil’s Gate to the Pedro and Ferris mountain ranges and is crisscrossed by vital waterways, including 20 miles of the Sweetwater River and portions of the North Platte River. The scale of this acquisition is staggering; the unified ownership of Pathfinder Ranches is larger than the entire state of Delaware and more than four times the size of New York City, accounting for over 1% of Wyoming’s total landmass. An interesting aspect of Pathfinder Ranches is its designation as the site of the nation’s first sage-grouse conservation bank, approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This conservation initiative is expected to remain operational under Ensign's stewardship, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainable ranching practices and environmental stewardship. Scott Williams, the listing broker, expressed optimism about the transition, stating, “Watching a family-owned operation with Ensign’s ranching values and operational standards step in as the next steward of Pathfinder is encouraging on many levels.” Robinson's commitment to stewardship and responsible land management is evident in his comments regarding the acquisition. He framed the purchase as not just a business transaction but a dedication to preserving the land and its resources for future generations. The Great Pathfinder Lodge, the ranch’s headquarters, is a testament to the property’s rich history and grandeur, featuring 6,579 square feet of living space, complete with nine bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms. As the ranching industry continues to evolve, the acquisition of Pathfinder Ranches by The Ensign Group signals a trend toward consolidation among larger ranching operations, potentially reshaping the landscape of agricultural practices in the West. Robinson’s decision to step back from political life and focus on ranch management may also suggest a broader pivot in his career path, which could have implications for local governance and agricultural policy in Summit County and beyond. In conclusion, the acquisition of Pathfinder Ranches represents a significant milestone for Christopher Robinson and The Ensign Group, highlighting the intersection of business, environmental stewardship, and local governance in the rapidly changing landscape of Western ranching. As the company prepares to take on this massive operation, stakeholders in the ranching community will be closely watching how this transition unfolds and what it portends for the future of ranching in Wyoming and the surrounding states.