Overview -
Located in the fertile North Fork Valley of western Colorado, the 7,373± acre Scenic Mesa Ranch encompasses a large plateau bounded on three sides by the Gunnison River, the Smith Fork, and the North Fork of the Gunnison. Perched overlooking the stunning Black Canyon of the Gunnison, this unique locale gives the ranch a diverse and contrasting landscape with rugged canyons, rolling mesas, and lush river corridors, all set against a backdrop of the West Elk Mountains. Abundant natural resources result in outstanding recreation, underscored by Gold Medal trout fishing and trophy mule deer hunting. Additional highlights include equestrian facilities, miles of trails, waterfowl hunting, and quality improvements for owner and guest usage, all ready for immediate enjoyment.
Location -
The picturesque North Fork Valley is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, West Elk, and Ragged Mountain ranges and the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Gunnison Gorge Wilderness. Fed by the abundant snowpack, this is a fertile valley with a concentration of orchards, vineyards, local/organic farms, and historic ranches. From the ranch is it only five minutes to Hotchkiss, 45 minutes to Montrose airport, and an hour to Grand Junction. The ski resorts of Aspen/Snowmass, Telluride, and Crested Butte are all within about two hours.
Fishing -
Scenic Mesa Ranch is adjacent to the legendary Gold Medal fishery of the Gunnison River tailwater below Blue Mesa Reservoir. This Black Canyon of the Gunnison stretch of river is designated by the State of Colorado as Gold Medal status due to the large size and numbers of brown and rainbow trout. The Gunnison is famous for its salmonfly hatch, plus has prolific caddis, PMD, little yellow stoneflies, and green drake hatches. Scenic Mesa Ranch is the only known private property with direct access to this Gold Medal stretch of the Gunnison River.
Wildlife -
The location, habitat, and management of the ranch result in strong populations of mule deer, and it has consistently produced trophy bucks. Located in Game Management Unit 63, the ranch benefits from big game migrations out of the high country in the fall and is critically important as winter range for both elk and deer. Additionally, the big game is complemented by bird hunting, with great waterfowl hunting on the North Fork of the Gunnison, and in several ponds. Scenic Mesa Ranch was formerly operated as an Orvis-Endorsed lodge for guided pheasant and chukar hunts and trout fishing. If desired, there is proven potential to renew the upland bird hunting component of the property.
Agriculture -
Historically operated as a cattle ranch, the ranch has significant water rights from multiple ditches and storage reservoir. Approximately 1,000 acres are irrigatable, with one center pivot and the balance flood-irrigated. Irrigated pastures vary in quality from hay production to rough irrigated winter pastures. The balance of the ranch is native pasture, plus the ranch holds the adjacent BLM grazing permit. Scenic Mesa Ranch has been used as a stocker operation, cow-calf winter operation, and year-round bison operation in the past.
Improvements -
Scenic Mesa Ranch features a variety of turnkey improvements for both residential and agricultural usage. The well-appointed Owner's Home of 4,216± square feet with beautiful great room has three bedrooms and three and a half baths. A luxurious 3,328± square foot Guest Lodge features three suites, commercial kitchen and great room with attached private clubhouse sleeping an additional four to six guests, plus bird cleaning and meat processing rooms. Several additional homes are used for guests and employee housing. There are excellent equestrian facilities with horse barn, stalls, tack room, shop, and covered arena (16,800± square feet), indoor roping as well as outdoor roping/riding arenas, round pens, and miles of well-maintained fences and corrals.
