Twin Bridges Ranch

Sun Valley, Idaho
$799,000

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Secluded 80± acres with beautiful home 22 miles from Sun Valley off Trail Creek Road. The property is part of a unique 1,300±-acre private, gated ranch community completely surrounded by public lands and divided into 12 parcels under conservation easements with 5 homes built and terrific neighbors. Twin Bridges Creek flows through the ranch to the Big Lost River a half-mile away. The 1,500 sq. ft. hand-hewn, flat log home has all the amenities, including a fabulous kitchen, radiant heat, and covered, wrap-around porch. The elevated home site offers 360-degree panoramic views of the Pioneer Mountains, Jerry Peak and the creek below. A landing strip suitable for small aircraft is located a half-mile from the ranch gate. Hiking, fishing, big game hunting and wing shooting abound in this incredibly scenic part of central Idaho. The property is fenced for horses and is ideal as a writer’s/artist retreat, family hideaway, or mountain adventure base camp.

The Twin Bridges Ranch is located in the upper Lost River Valley 22 miles north of the famous all-season resort community of Sun Valley and 30 miles northwest of the small ranching community of Mackay. Access from Sun Valley is less than a 45-minute drive over Trail Creek Pass from May through November. As mountain snowfall begins to accumulate late in the year, Trail Creek Pass closes until spring and primary access to the ranch shifts northward. Access during the winter months involves driving through Mackay via US Highway 93 and then south on Trail Creek Road.

Friedman Memorial Airport in Hailey, 12 miles south of Sun Valley, is the nearest commercial airport and offers regular air service on Skywest and Horizon Airlines. Idaho Falls, 2 hours southeast of the property, provides alternate commercial air service on Skywest and Northwest Airlines. Mackay is home to a 4,400' x 60' asphalt airstrip capable of accommodating larger twin-engine aircraft. Of interest to backcountry pilots, a 4,450' x 100' turf airstrip is located near the entrance to the property on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands. This runway features a windsock, perimeter markings, and tie downs.

The Lost River Valley is considered one of Idaho's most scenic areas and is among the state's top regions for outdoor recreation. The stunning Lost River Range flanks the east side of the valley and spans over 70 miles from Arco to Challis. The Lost Rivers claim 7 of Idaho's 10 peaks over 12,000 feet, including Mt. Borah, the state's highest peak at 12,662 feet. Various ranges, including the Pioneers and Whiteknobs, extend westward from the valley providing incredible vistas and miles of backcountry to explore. The Big Lost River meanders through the valley, providing irrigation water for farms and ranches as well as outstanding trout-fishing opportunities. Four miles north of Mackay, the Mackay Dam impounds the Big Lost River providing camping, boating, and fishing opportunities.

Sun Valley, Ketchum and the other Wood River Valley communities of Hailey and Bellevue are a short distance from Twin Bridges and offer a suite of exceptional summer and winter activities, including golf, hiking, fly-fishing, mountain-bike riding, and world-class downhill and Nordic skiing. One will also find numerous gourmet restaurants, art galleries, shopping opportunities, and cultural events to enjoy.

Mackay, population 566, lies at the heart of the Lost River Valley and serves as the local service and social center. It is an agriculturally based community, although its roots go back to the mining days in the early 20th century. All general amenities can be found in Mackay, including groceries, fuel, restaurants, and sporting goods. Each June, Mackay holds its famous rodeo event, "Idaho's Wildest Rodeo," which attracts competitors and spectators from across the region.

Twin Bridges Ranch is part of a unique 1,360-acre private inholding that was purchased by Sun Valley interests in the early 1990's and divided into 12 estate lots ranging from 40 acres to 300 acres. Totally insulated from the outside world, these lots are surrounded by BLM lands, encompass nearly 5 miles of Twin Bridges Creek from north to south, and are without public access. In addition, the parcels are subject to CC&Rs as well as individual conservation easements that prevent further subdivision of the properties and limit other incompatible uses. As a result, an owner not only enjoys complete privacy but also peace of mind that the community's rural, western character will not be compromised. The gated entrance to Twin Bridges is located ½ mile north of Trail Creek Road via a well-maintained gravel road. The main access road continues north paralleling Twin Bridges Creek and providing access to each lot.

The ranch is oriented in an east-west direction and encompasses bottomlands along Twin Bridges Creek and the undulating upland areas on either side of the stream. Twin Bridges Creek and its lush riparian area snake through the property for ¾ mile from north to south and provide habitat for trout, moose, mule deer, beavers, and songbirds, along with water and forage for the owners' horses. The residence is located on an open, elevated site on the west side of the property and commands outstanding views of the creek and valley below. A year-round spring lies just north of the residence and provides additional wildlife habitat and stock water. Approximately 40 acres of the property are in pasture for the owners' horses and are fenced and cross-fenced with 3-rail wood-jack fencing.

The Twin Bridges Ranch boasts a beautiful, well-appointed 1,500 square-foot main residence constructed in 2001. The residence is a flat-log home designed by the owners with assistance from Bob Hobble, award-winning AAIA architect from Bainbridge Island, WA. Logs were provided by Idaho-Montana Log, supplier of logs for several major structures at the Sun Valley Resort. The home sits at approximately 7,200 feet with 360-degree mountain views from its numerous windows and French doors. A covered wrap-around porch offers additional opportunities to enjoy the panoramic vistas. Additional features of the residence include:

Open plan on the main floor with large kitchen, living, and dining areas.
Master bedroom on the upper floor featuring high ceilings, skylights, antique hardwood floors, and a private deck.
Full bath upstairs with an oversize tub, tumbled marble counters and a shower with mountain views; a half bath is located on the main floor off of the kitchen.
Imported random slate floor with radiant heat.
Appliances include Viking gas range, built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator, Fisher and Pakel washer/dryer, Bosch dishwasher, and built-in garbage compactor.
Underground power with automatic back-up propane generator which can run heat, light and all appliances for long periods if necessary.
Satellite television, phone and internet systems.
Complete architectural plans for 800 square-foot 2-bedroom guesthouse and 2-car garage are included with the purchase of the property.

80 +/- Acres

The Twin Bridges Ranch is a beautifully-improved mountain retreat in a private setting offering unlimited access to some of Idaho's best backcountry. Less than 25 miles from Sun Valley, an owner is able to take advantage of a nearby world-class resort community while enjoying the peace and tranquility of a rural location. In today's market, a property of this quality and in this location and price range is a scarce commodity.

The property is subject to CC&Rs and a conservation easement. Copies of these documents are available upon request. The property is also subject to requirements of the Twin Bridges Homeowner's Association. Annual association expenses are approximately $500.

Rivaling its better known close neighbor to the south, Sun Valley, the upper Lost River Valley offers a variety of high-quality recreation opportunities. Trout-fishing, wingshooting, big-game hunting, horseback riding, mountain-bike riding, hiking and wildlife viewing can all be outstanding and enjoyed either on or minutes away from the Twin Bridges Ranch.

Trout-fishing is among the most highly pursued activities in the area. The Big Lost River is a mid-sized freestone stream that originates high in the Pioneer and Boulder Mountains and is a destination for fly-anglers from across the region. Quality reaches of the Big Lost are located minutes away from the property, and public access is available throughout the upper river on BLM and Forest Service lands. Trout-fishing is also available on Twin Bridges Creek where small rainbows and brook trout eagerly rise to dry flies. The property features an excellent stretch of the creek offering numerous pools, undercut banks, and a large beaver pond.

Under the Twin Bridges CC&Rs, no hunting or shooting is allowed on the property, although quality sporting opportunities are located minutes away on nearby public lands. For the upland hunter, chukar partridge are abundant on the lower sagebrush and grassy slopes while blue grouse are common on the higher elevation Forest Service lands. All of Idaho's big game species can be found within proximity to the ranch.

For the hiker or horseback rider, the upper Big Lost area enjoys some of the state's most spectacular high country. In addition to unlimited cross-country hiking and riding opportunities, an extensive public lands trail network provides access to the area's vast alpine riches.

Property taxes for 2009 were $1,391.08.