High Point Ranch

Ideally located on the doorsteps of the Flat Tops Wilderness and Routt National Forest, High Point Ranch affords authentic high country living and outdoor recreation within the comforts of the Ranches at Five Pine Mesa. Centrally located between the resort destinations of Steamboat Springs and Vail Colorado, this high country property is ideal for a family mountain cabin or hunting getaway.

The pristine high alpine retreat is located in the Upper Yampa River Valley of northwest Colorado. The ranch is situated atop an elevated plateau and boasts 360-degree mountain views, numerous recreational opportunities, and borders the Routt National Forest. Trails link the ranch to over 1 million acres of forest lands, leading to countless high alpine lakes and landmarks and the famous Flat Tops Wilderness Area.

About High Point Ranch

Comprised of 61 +/- acres, the ranch encompasses a remarkable diversity of terrain for its size and includes pine timber draws, mature aspen groves, lush open meadows, scenic overlooks, and sagebrush hillsides in addition to the homesite. This topography and the property’s adjacency to the Flat Tops produces tremendous habitat for moose, elk, deer, black bear, mountain lion, and countless other wildlife. The property also features a gently flowing creek that feeds several beaver ponds teeming with brook trout.

Locale

High Point Ranch is located in the coveted Upper Yampa River Valley of northwestern Colorado. With Vail Valley just 35 miles to the south and Steamboat Springs 40 miles to the north, the ranch is situated right in the middle of quintessential Colorado high country. The property itself is tucked away on the western side of Routt County, directly neighboring the 1.2 million acre National Forest. Continuing west from the ranch, the National Forest quickly transforms into the pristine 235,000-acre Flat Tops Wilderness Area, which is the second-largest Wilderness Area in Colorado, comprised of numerous aqua blue high-alpine lakes, emerald green mesas, as well as other stunning geological features and landmarks that beg to be explored. The Upper Yampa Valley is mostly made up of large agricultural ranches with lush irrigated hay meadows on the valley floor along the river, and open sagebrush steppe landscapes with timbered side drainages reaching up to higher terrain. High Point Ranch is just 9 miles from the rural community of Toponas. The agricultural town of Yampa with its basic amenities is a short drive up the road. Commercial air service, jet accessible airport and FBO, and more extensive amenities are readily available in nearby Vail Valley.

Improvements

An ideally situated 10-acre building envelope is ready to build on as it comes complete with domestic well, utilities, and an impeccably maintained road to the ranch entrance. The common parcel of Ranches at Five Pine Mesa includes access to a charming guest cabin and large storage barn that is for the private use of the owners.

Land Overview

The ranch is accessed from State Highway 131 and County Road 3, traversing up Porcupine Ridge to the elevated plateau of Five Pine Mesa. The Ranches at Five Pine Mesa is mostly forested, rolling terrain with a mix of healthy spruce, fir, and lodgepole pines, along with mature aspen groves. The ground cover is a mixture of native high elevation grasses and sagebrush. The ranch is located at the gateway to the Routt National Forest and Flattops Wilderness Area.

Climate

The ranch sits at an elevation of around 9,000 feet. There are approximately 60 frost-free days per year at this elevation and the climate is characterized by cold winters and cool summers. The mean values for precipitation are 16.4 in./yr. with 120 inches of snowfall.

Hunting

High Point Ranch provides access to excellent habitat for a variety of game. The White River Elk Herd, North America’s largest elk herd, is found here and takes up residence in the sprawling Flat Tops, migrating east right through the ranch to lower elevations during the fall hunting season. Trophy mule deer are also prolific on the property and adjoining National Forest lands. Elk tags are readily available over the counter, and mule deer tags are obtainable through the draw. Other species include black bear, mountain lion, and the occasional moose. Archery hunting is permitted on the property and rifle hunting opportunities are endless on nearby National Forest lands. The property falls within Colorado GMU #26.

Fly-Fishing

Nearby fly-fishing is abundant within the Yampa River Valley and on high-alpine lakes in close proximity to the ranch. Yamcolo and Gardner Park Reservoirs are a few minutes drive from the property and provide great lake fishing. The Beat and Upper Yampa Rivers are also a short drive and considered to be hidden gems amongst Colorado trout enthusiasts. The tailwater section of the Yampa below Stagecoach is one of the prized pieces of water in the regions. The 780-acre Stagecoach Reservoir is known for its great trout and northern pike fishing. To the south of the ranch, the Colorado River is easily accessible for miles of floatable gold medal fly-fishing.

Recreation

Other recreational pursuits include endless snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter months as well as hiking, canoeing, and mountain biking in the summer. The Ranches at Five Pine Mesa is also well suited for the horse enthusiast.

Five Pine Mesa Association

High Point Ranch enjoys membership to the Ranches at Five Pine Mesa, providing additional resources and economical ranch management. The Association consists of a total of ten properties ranging between 50 and 400+ acres. Five Pine Mesa is structured similarly to an HOA and provides shared amenities to member-owners, including a 53-acre central parcel that is owned by the association and has a shared barn with a workshop, storage loft, and manager’s apartment. The common parcel also features a luxurious 1,378 square foot log cabin that overlooks a private pond and is available for accommodating owners and their guests. The HOA employs a full-time manager/caretaker who performs interior road and fence maintenance, home monitoring and maintenance, as well as general coordination of ranch activities and winter access via snow machine.