Los Creek Ranch

Los Creek Ranch is an ideal size and price point for a remote mountain hunting and recreation property. With expansive views of the surrounding valley and bordered on all sides by public lands, the ranch feels much larger than its ~480 acres. Tucked into the remote and secluded Saguache Park basin just north of looming San Luis Peak, the ranch has no neighbors, no light pollution, and feels like rural Colorado of an earlier time.

Overview

An attractive blend of prairie grasslands and mixed-conifer forest interface, the ranch has a compelling mix of open ground and topography that offers excellent cover and affords a secure habitat for moose, deer, and elk. Los Creek runs through the middle of the property, bringing vital water and riparian habitat to the Saguache Park sage hills and prairie grasslands.

Improvements

The ranch is anchored by a practical and well-maintained ~ 1,500 sq ft, 3 bedroom, two bath, wood-frame main house remodeled in 2008 with a two-car garage and a large, covered porch.  In addition to an ~850 sq ft historic line cabin, the headquarters improvements include a 3,000 sq ft steel frame metal shop with two horse stalls, an insulated office, and plenty of dry-storage space.  The improvements are served by an off-grid 4.8 kW solar and 1 kW wind turbine hybrid system, with an underground battery vault and backup propane generator.

Location

The ranch is located on the east side of what locals call Saguache Park in the remote headwaters of the Cochetopa Creek tributary of the Gunnison River Basin.   Secluded and tucked away in a scenic pocket of southwest Colorado’s rural Saguache County, the property is accessed year-round from Highway 114 and full-service county roads. It is a short hour’s drive from Gunnison to the northwest and the town of Saguache to the southeast. The ranch is surrounded by expansive public lands that allow outstanding big-game hunting access – integrating into thousands of acres of the Gunnison National Forest.

History

Originally established as a summer cow camp and remote fall line camp for hunters, Los Creek Ranch has a wonderful, unspoiled old-time Colorado feel.

Climate

• Average high in winter is 25° average low in winter is -0°
• Average precept in winter is .75
• Total lab snowfall 54 inches
• Average high in summer is 80°.
• Average summer low is 45°

Hunting

Located among the tens of thousands of public acres, Colorado’s Game Management Unit # 67 is one of the state’s best limited big game hunting units.  GMU 67 has historically supported outstanding elk, mule deer, and antelope populations, a limited population of bighorn sheep and an ever-expanding moose habitat.  The ranch acreage qualifies the property for landowner preference tags.

Fishing  

Excellent fishing can be found in all directions within minutes from the ranch on Cochetopa Creek and Dome Lakes State Wildlife Area.

Recreation

Horseback riding could be a significant part of the Los Creek Ranch experience.  With an unlimited amount of forest trails and open fields in every direction, riders have no shortage of country to explore right out the front door.  The 3,000 sq ft steel frame barn includes two insulated horse stables, a tack room, and dry-covered hay storage.

Ranch Operations 

Los Creek Ranch has most recently been managed as a recreation property, wildlife sanctuary, and a year-round family retreat.   A great deal of effort has gone into enhancing habitat for wildlife, including planting biologist-recommended grass blends and water feature development/improvements.  Irrigation ground on the ranch has been converted from hay production to seasonal grazing. The pastures are seasonally grazed and could accommodate up to 20 pairs.

Water Rights

The ranch is graced with good water rights in Los Creek including;

• The Curtis ditch #2, priority 136 for 1.0 CFS
• Curtis ditch #1, priority 159 for 2.0 CFS
• JM Ellis ditch number two priority number 178 1.0 CFS
• Curtis well dedicated February 16, 1973 priority date May 1, 1910.

Mineral Rights

While the seller intends to convey any/all rights they own on the property, buyers will need to do their own due diligence re: mineral rights.

Conservation Value

Given its remarkable location, other land conservation in the area, tremendous habitat, and wildlife resources, Los Creek Ranch has significant conservation potential.  Combined with Colorado’s generous conservation tax credit allowances, Los Creek Ranch is an attractive long-term investment opportunity.