LocationParts of Sections 12 and 13 in T3N R87W of the 6th PM
|
|||
|
Last Chance Ranch is accessed from well maintained county roads directly to the property in South Routt County near the small town of Oak Creek. Oak Creek is a historic town offering many dining options as well as potentially needed medical assistance, post office, drug store, and grocery. There are several different ways to get to the ranch, depending on your starting point, either traveling south on Highway 131 turning on RCR 27 to RCR 29 or one can travel from RCR 33 south to RCR 29. |
Last Chance Ranch offers the once in a life time opportunity to satisfy
that need for solitude, simplicity, and the sense of ease in nature by
being surrounded on three sides by the U.S. Forest Service and adjacent
to the Flattops. In 1919 Alan Carhart embraced the Flattops area and
was the first US Forest Service official to initiate a plea for Wilderness
Preservation. He found looming majestic volcanic flat-topped cliffs with
vast subalpine terrain yielding to alpine tundra hosting approximately
110 lakes and ponds and roughly 100 miles of fishable streams. In 1975
the United States Congress designated the Flat Tops Wilderness, which
consists of a total of 235,214 acres and is Colorado’s second largest
Wilderness, which is complimented by over 800,000 acres of United
States Forest Service adjacent to Last Chance Ranch….a precious
expanse of breathtakingly beautiful land.
Description
|
|
|
The secluded Last Chance Ranch is surrounded by thousands of acres of National Forest and hosts some of the most spectacular scenery in Routt County. This beautiful and well maintained 385 acre ranch hosts a balance between new improvements complemented by old historic buildings which combined with the incredible setting and productive ranch, creates a very fine offering. With over 200 acres of hay meadows and natural feeding grounds for wildlife and numerous drainages and ponds that add to the natural beauty, this also supports wildlife and upland birds and waterfowl. The landscape consists of several large open pastures, healthy aspen groves, dark timber, and gentle terrain allowing access to the entire ranch. This property is currently utilized as a cattle ranch along with a hunting and recreation facility. This ranch is not burdened by a conservation easement, thus offering the new owner many opportunities. Water rights are abundant and are summarized at length in a coming section. |
|
Last Chance Ranch Map
|
National Forest Map For Last Chance Ranch
|
Improvements
|
|
|
It is immediately noticed that the improvements have a great deal of character. Each of the buildings has a story to tell of years past and varying in construction from rustic log to frame type. The improvements at the main ranch are all accessible and connected by gravel driveways. Along with the main Ranch home, there are three separate cabin/bunkhouse buildings and many other Ranch outbuildings. |
Headquarters Ranch House Improvements
|
|
|
The 2,440 square foot main ranch house has just been totally updated and remodeled with high quality materials and craftsmanship. The beautiful and efficient stone fire place sets off the warm living area and is adjacent to the professionally equipped kitchen. The home has three bedrooms and two full baths with gorgeous stone work throughout. Sitting at the edge of an alpine environment with outdoor living and entertaining areas, you can enjoy the views while overlooking the ranch operation. The home is predominately log construction with frame construction addition. Also, directly adjacent to the main home is a detached large 2-car garage. |
Ranch House Photos
|
Historical Log Barns And Other Improvements |
|
Headquarters Ranch/Horse Barn, Hay Barn and Office
Hay Barn/Loafing Shed
|
This barn totals 1,936
square feet on the main
level and hosts hay
storage, horse stalls,
grooming area, tack
room, machine shed/
equipment storage, and
above the tack room is a
large modern office.
The office contains a full
bath with shower, four
phone lines, satellite internet and TV. The
lacquered log interior allows for a peaceful and
productive work environment.
Located adjacent to the
main horse/ranch barn,
this large log hay storage
barn is 1,750 square feet
with three walls and open
on one side for access and
storage.
Old Grainery Improvements
|
|
|
This recently updated and very functional cabin home is 1,236 square feet and accommodates lodging for guests and/or rental income for the Ranch. This two-story building’s upper level is the sleeping area and has one full bath with large kitchen and living area on lower level. |
Bunk House ImprovementsBunk House (Circa late 1800's)
|
|||
|
This charming log bunk
house may only be 636
square feet, but hosts a
completely renovated
small kitchen and
bathroom, along with a
combination living room
and bedroom. This bunk
house was originally up
at the hunting camp and
was built for the
wranglers at this one time
Stage Stop, but was moved down to the Headquarters some time later.
Currently the Bunk House is used for employee housing and/or to
accommodate guests.
Other Improvements
There are also four log sheds that have multiple uses for agriculture and a brand new framed pump house. The sheds vary in square footage from 300 to 385 feet. |
|
|
Pole Shed, Stock Shed, Storage Shed, Pump House, and a Poultry Shed
High Camp Cabin
Agricultural Operation
|
|
|
The ranch is fenced and cross fenced. The current owner has just completed over three miles of new interior fencing. There is also a set of working corrals with pens, alleyways, and a squeeze chute at the Headquarters. This area also has a large catch pen that doubles as a roping arena, with an adjacent round pen. The owner represents the carrying capacity at 80 pairs conservatively. The ranch annual puts up 300 tons of high quality organic hay. |
Water RightsThe Ranch has an ample supply of water from some very senior rights dating
back to 1902. The owner has substantially improved and maintained
irrigation ditches. The home and barn(s) are supplied by well water. All water
rights appurtenant to the property will be transferred via bargain and sale
deed at closing.
|
|||
|
The above water rights were obtained from seller’s water attorney. Said rights were obtained from previous deeds and Colorado of Department Water records. Romick & Associates and its brokers make no representation to the accuracy and to the completeness of the above water rights and further suggest prospective buyers’ legal counsel review said water rights. |
The Last Chance RanchA Turn Of The Century Cattle Ranch(History from the previous owner) Originally, the Last Chance Ranch was a working cattle ranch, very large in deeded acres and in the work which was required from many cowhands living in this mountainous region. In the 1920's, a young couple, not married long, traveled by wagon to set up their home at the Last Chance. Their names were Berdine and Fern Winter. They never had any children, so they devoted their lives to their cattle and sheep operation. Being very religious and honest, hard-working people, they tamed the land, moved barns with horse teams and gave jobs to most all of the local young men in the area. Through time, the ranch was reduced in size, yet the majesty of the Last Chance still remains today. Surrounded by Routt National Forest, the Last Chance sits nestled in a valley, with wide open meadows which abounds with beauty and wildlife. The view just never gets old and as the seasons change, so does the scenery. From the high meadows, one can see all the way to Wyoming, to the Mt. Werner ski mountain (Storm Mountain), to the southern Flat Tops and Pinnacle Peak. These meadows welcome the birthing of baby elk calves and deer, many which never leave and always return in the Spring, keeping it as home. With the numerous natural yearround springs, the 3 ponds hold water and run all year. So naturally, the wild game come for the cold fresh water whenever it seems crunchy dry in other places. The Last Chance is a very special ranch in that it is not only productive, but it is also beautiful. The old log barns and out buildings hold a mystic about them that make them seem to whisper stories of the old ranchers and Ute Indians. The road which runs through the ranch to the top meadow was originally the Stagecoach road, which stopped at the carriage house (now the hunting lodge of High Camp). One area of the ranch was at one time a summer camp to the Ute Indians and as you sit quietly under the tall pines, you can almost see them camping and hunting game. In the 60's, two families owned the ranch. Both dads were bankers and each had several children. In the summer months they would come and bring all the family, therefore prompting them to build the log home which is the main house now. In the winter, they would move their cows to Toponas, which was also the winter range for other early cattlemen in the area. These families sold the ranch to Jimmy Dean, owner of Jimmy Dean Sausage and a singer/performer. He produced several television commercials at the ranch, one of which won a big award for being a great TV ad. His group had plans for a dude-ranch operation, which the ranch was well suited. But after taking down several buildings and after several years of enjoyment, the investor had put too much into Condo development in Steamboat, so they had to let go of the Last Chance. That is when we, Kenneth and Johnnie ManChac ,stepped in to make a major life-style change and begin our family. The first 5 years on the ranch was devoted to restoration and clean-up. Bringing back the original feel of the ranch, and still pushing it into modern times, we have never regretted one single moment. Still today, our desires to continue on the ranch are tremendous. We have developed clients for trailriding, hunting, summer family gatherings, snowmobile riding, cross-country skiing, and most importantly, the cabin rental, which provide income and people to assist with the animal care in the winter so that we can be away with family. All these aspects are income producing, according to the ability of the operators, but we consider ourselves diversified ranchers, putting up hay, running the hunting lodge and still maintaining animals of our choice. |
|
Price:
|
|||||||
|
|||||||