Bonito Canyon Ranch

Bonito Canyon Ranch features a 6,500 square foot, 3 bedroom, 4 bath luxury log home constructed by Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia which is considered by many experts as the most state-of-the-art, high-quality handcrafted log building company in the world. The meticulous attention to detail on display throughout the home is extraordinary. From the tile mosaic entryway depicting two bull elk battling created by world-renowned wildlife artist Chris Lacey to the hand-carved doors and up to 40” diameter western red cedar log beams throughout the home. The home is nicely positioned on the east-central boundary of the 566 acres with excellent trophy elk and mule deer hunting in the renowned Sangre De Cristo mountains of southern Colorado.  Bonito Canyon is surrounded by large, world-renowned hunting properties such as Ted Turner’s Vermejo Park, Hill, Tercio, and nearby Bar NI Ranches and other well-managed trophy hunting ranches ensuring the ability to employ excellent resource and game management practices with like-minded neighbors.

Bonito Canyon Ranch is situated on the eastern flank of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range which is the southernmost subchain of the Rocky Mountains. The eastern slope is generally milder than the west slope with cooler summers and milder winter months. The property’s ideal location is at what is known locally as San Francisco Pass. San Francisco Pass is at the head of both Bonito Canyon and North Fork of the Vermejo River drainage. Bonito Canyon flows to the north and the North Fork of the Vermejo River drainage that flows to the south into New Mexico. 

The ranch ranges in elevation from 9,000 to slightly over 10,000 feet in elevation. The land itself is mostly gently sloping, with an ideal mix of ponderosa pine, fir forests, aspen glades, and small mountain meadows.  The Culebra range, with its multiple 13K+ foot snow-capped peaks, makes for stunning views as a backdrop only a few miles west of the ranch.  There is very little public land in this part of the State, creating an incredible sense of privacy, remoteness, and quietude in a spot that is only 30 minutes from a small town (Stonewall) with grocery and basic services, and 60 minutes from Trinidad, CO, with all services. 

Improvements

Vision, craftsmanship, attention to detail and pride of ownership are what comes to mind when one first sees the home on Bonito Canyon Ranch. The custom log home was crafted and erected by Pioneer Log Homes of British Columbia with western red cedar logs, some of which are up to 40” diameter. The large flagstone front porch entryway is graced with a tile diorama of two bull elk fighting with a local landmark Costilla Peak in the background. This was designed by renowned wildlife artist Chris Lacey and installed by craftsmen who completed several large projects on the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. 

Other features of the residence include:

• The spacious entryway, great room, and dining room are all tastefully furnished and all furnishings will convey with the sale of the property.
• The expansive, open kitchen was designed for ease of use and features leather granite countertops, custom cabinetry with state of the art Viking appliances, wine cooler, double refrigerator with freezer.
• The Luxurious Home features three oversized bedrooms and four full bathrooms. Beautiful white oak flooring is located throughout the house.
• The master suite has a walkout private porch with expansive views of Costilla Peak in the distance, two walk-in custom closets, marble shower and jacuzzi tub with custom vanity and marble countertops.
• The two guest bedrooms also have custom closet space in each with full custom bathrooms with granite and marble showers and vanities.
• Spacious lofts on each end of the home are accessed by custom spiral staircases. One side has been plumbed with plans to build and use as a bar area, and the other has been used as a bedroom when there are extra guests on site.
• Mudroom and laundry room are is accessed through the 3 car oversized garage. The mudroom features individual seating and storage areas for boots, clothing and equipment as well as another spectacular wall mural created by Chris Lacey with elk and other wildlife and Costilla Peak in the background.
• The home comes with a whole-home security system that features 6 cameras and is controlled by smartphone. Satellite Wi-Fi and TV onsite.
• Complete solar system with batteries and backup propane powered generators are housed in another log building just off the side of the main home with four 1000 gallon propane tanks which are buried adjacent to the storage cabin for aesthetics.

This part of the Sangre de Cristo range is widely known for its trophy-quality elk and mule deer hunting.  Bucks in excess of 180” and bulls in excess of 350” are not uncommon here.  Elk tags are available over-the-counter, and the ranch qualifies for landowner mule deer tags. The home is situated on the eastern boundary of the property so that the vast majority of the land itself is unmolested by human activity.  The habitat improvement projects and timber management serves to enhance conditions and hold the wildlife for the vast majority of the year ensuring high use of game animals throughout the spring, summer and fall. In addition to trophy deer and elk, there are significant numbers of black bears and Merriam’s turkey as well as numerous other species of non game animals. Bonito Canyon is surrounded by very large, world-renowned hunting properties such as Vermejo Park Ranch, Tercio, Hill, and Bar NI ranches, ensuring ownership’s ability to employ excellent resource and game management practices with like-minded neighbors. While most hunters don’t visualize a 566 acre property being large enough to consistently hold big game, due to its location, natural terrain as well as the habitat and forestry projects the guests of the ranch have consistently found elk and deer from the beginning of archery season in early September through the end of rifle season in late November.

Bonito Canyon Ranch is a recreational paradise. It truly allows one the opportunity to enjoy all four seasons of the year and the various activities that each season affords. From viewing the newborn elk calves and deer fawns  in late spring, to hiking or biking through mature stands of aspens and brilliant wildflowers in the summer months, transitioning into cool breezes and golden aspen leaves and the sounds of bugling bull elk in fall, to serene winter settings of cross country skiing, snowshoeing or relaxing by the fireplace. The ranch is blessed with an abundance of seeps, springs, and natural ponds providing an ample and reliable water source for wildlife, the ongoing forestry projects have also enhanced the habitat creating a magnet for game and nongame animals alike. The ranch property is perimeter fenced, and there are two track roads and trails traversing the ranch allowing for easy access throughout the property. There are no conservation easements encumbering the property. This is generally regarded as a high-value conservation area by the land trust industry allowing the next owner the opportunity to conserve should they so choose.

Locale

The small enclave of Stonewall, CO, with groceries, fuel and basic necessitates is a 30 minute drive from the ranch.  Trinidad, CO, with all services, is a 60 minute drive from the ranch.  Denver is about a 3.5 hour drive from the property.  The property is easily accessed by an improved dirt road and is within 3 miles of a county maintained road. Stonewall is situated on Colorado highway 12 which is also a  scenic Byway which loops from Trinidad west through Stonewall and over Cuchara Pass and the towns of Cuchara and La Veta in what is some of the most scenic country in the State. 

• Summer High: the July high is around 81 degrees
• Winter Low: the January low is 14
• Rain: averages 21 inches of rain a year
• Snow: averages 70 inches of snow a year
• On average, there are 263 sunny days per year in Stonewall Gap.