Lost Horse Creek Ranch

Introduction

The wish list for most people interested in moving to Western Montana usually includes a fishable stream, a good balance of meadow and timber, Forest Service boundaries, privacy, and big views. To find them all on one piece of real estate is now and always has been a great rarity. That is why Flying Hawkes Real Estate is proud to represent this outstanding ranch for sale in the desirable Bitterroot Valley.

Location and Local

Handily located between Hamilton and Darby Montana, this prime property is secluded without being remote and is accessed by US 93 and a county paved and maintained road.

The Bitterroot Valley is well known for its reasonable weather, its ample population of wildlife, including elk, moose, mule and whitetail deer, black bear, mountain lion, mountain goat, and Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep. Sightings of bald eagle and osprey are not uncommon. Trout fishing is excellent along the floatable waters of the Bitterroot River.

The Lost Horse Creek Ranch rests along the banks of both Moose Creek (a tributary of Lost Horse Creek), and Lost Horse Creek, a magnificent piece of water spanning at least 50 feet during the high water season. An easy 15 minute drive from Hamilton (Population 4500) to the north and 10 minutes to Darby (Population 600) on the South make it located for the best of both worlds in the Bitterroot.  Hamilton is the Ravalli County seat and is a full service community with those implied services including quaint shops, restaurants and art galleries. Marcus Daly Hospital, The Bitterroot College (part of the University of Montana system) and Hamilton Airport add to its population’s convenience.

Heading south to Darby you will find the door open to great recreational opportunity including downhill skiing at Lost Trail Powder Mountain, hundreds of miles of Forest Service roads for wildlife viewing, four wheeling and snowmobiling. Hundreds of miles of excellent trails for hiking, horseback riding and access to high mountain lakes.

Missoula, home of the University of Montana and an international airport, provides excellent shopping and dining and is just 60 miles from the ranch.

Improvements

Sitting alongside Moose Creek and with a spectacular view of the Como Peaks, this warm and inviting home with its wide bank of windows in the great room/dining room brings to mind “times past.” The finishes both rustic and yet elegant provide a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere.

The home, also includes a country kitchen, large office/den, exercise room that could serve as an additional bedroom and an upstairs master bedroom. A deck accessed from the great room and exercise room overlooks one of the two large ponds found on the property, this one complete with a picturesque waterwheel. There is also a large unfinished basement ready to complete if desired.

To the west is what appears to be an old barn. But, don’t let the age fool you. It is a fully functioning structure on a foundation with electricity and water. An outdoor shower is situated on the barn’s outside south wall for your convenience.

On a timbered flat just northwest of the barn area is another barn and equipment storage building along with working corrals.

Last but certainly not least, is a dry cabin perched along the banks of Lost Horse Creek that begs you to spend time alone or with friends in a world of your own. Relax, fish, read, play cards, share a drink with friends. Here you are on vacation in your own domain.

Acreage

The ranch consists of 360+/- acres of which approximately 30 acres are irrigated from water rights noted in exhibit A included separately in this brochure. Included in the asking price of the ranch is the buried mainline and lateral irrigation system.

The balance of the property provides pasture for livestock and the wildlife present on the ranch or in riparian area associated with the two creeks. Two large ponds for your enjoyment complete the aesthetic water features on this well watered property.

Wild and Aquatic Life

The ranch is rich in wildlife, hosting a large herd of elk that make this place their home. Calving for this herd occurs in the upper meadow of the ranch near the southern Forest Service border. In the fall the bugling bull scan be heard from anywhere on the ranch. The ability to view antlered bulls competing for mating rights is a fall ritual. The protection of this herd has been a primary goal of the current owners. This desire for good stewardship and conservation has expressed itself in a conservation easement ensuring the habitat of these calving and grazing grounds.

The ranch is also home to moose, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, and mountain lion. Very importantly, it also holds all species of trout-cutthroat, rainbow, brown and eastern that are all fishable in the streams running thru the entire ranch.