Sometimes we have the honor of bringing truly exceptional properties to market. Kokopelli Ranch is something special. The views of the Pintler Range and the East Fork Valley from this 400± acre, mountaintop retreat defy description as they need to be experienced. From the mottled light to the storms that swirl and wrap themselves around the Pintlers’ jagged peaks, the everchanging reel cradles you in some of the best views the Rocky Mountains have to offer. Located 20 minutes from the historic town of Philipsburg and surrounded by large ranches, the locale is ideal for those wanting remoteness yet desire a connection to a vibrant local community.
Perched like a crown, sitting 300± feet above East Fork Road, is the focal point of the property, a 7,700+ square foot custom large log home complete with 5 bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, master suite, luxury kitchen, breakfast nook, formal dining, and attached oversized three-car garage. The home was painstakingly designed with timeless appointments to capture the viewshed from virtually every location in the home. To complement the residence, the operational improvements include a six-stall enclosed equipment shed and two-stall horse barn with vet/tack rooms, washing facilities, associated pens, and sheds.
Philipsburg, roughly 20 minutes to the northeast, anchors this rural community by providing basic services, boutique storefronts, as well as lodging and dining options. Unlike many “discovered” destinations, this vibrant town of around 900 has retained its historic western flair and local flavor. Philipsburg is home to the globally renowned Ranch at Rock Creek, a destination guest ranch on the banks of Rock Creek.
For outdoor adventurers, the area provides a host of activities. Skiers and snowboarders will marvel at Discovery’s 2,200 skiable acres, 215 inches of annual snowfall, and 2,388-foot vertical drop. For summer fun, Disco Bike Park is located 20 minutes away at the bottom of Discovery’s back side. The park offers 1,000-foot lift-served vertical terrain offering a mix of flow and technical style trails. For the sporting set, the region provides ample big game hunting and fishing opportunities, including Georgetown Lake and the famous Blue Ribbon fishery, Rock Creek.
The ranch is an easy hour-and-a-half drive from Missoula International Airport, offering daily flights from several hubs around the nation. Missoula, Montana’s second-largest city, is a full-service community of roughly 75,000 residents, home to the University of Montana, two regional medical facilities, a burgeoning tech industry, and a healthy art scene.
Kokopelli Ranch is topographically diverse, with wide-open, gently sloping grasslands below giving way to a spectacular prominence where the owner’s residence and operational improvements are located. After entering the main gate, the route quickly ascends with views of the Pintler Range and East Fork Valley becoming more spectacular. The ridgetop drops away to the north into a forested bowl providing ample cover for wildlife. The residential complex is located on one of the highest points in the immediate area providing a viewshed that is unrivaled in beauty and scope offering a nearly 360-degree picture-book scene.
Kokopelli Ranch with its timeless and top-shelf residential improvements, spectacular viewshed and coveted locale offers what could be one of the most compelling residential offerings on the market today in Western Montana.
The ranch is located approximately 20 minutes southwest from Philipsburg, the seat for Granite County, Montana. From the paved Skalkaho Highway, one travels on the gravel East Fork Road 2.5 miles to the ranch gate. Access along the public roads is maintained throughout the year to the gate.
The ranch is an easy hour-and-30-minute drive from Missoula International Airport offering daily flights from several hubs around the nation. Missoula, Montana’s second-largest city, is a full-service community of roughly 75,000 residents, home of the University of Montana, two regional medical facilities, a burgeoning tech industry, and healthy art scene.
The area surrounding the ranch primarily consists of large, productive agricultural operation, smaller ranchettes and large swaths of public land. Philipsburg anchors this rural community by providing basic services, boutique storefronts, as well as lodging and dining options. Unlike many “discovered” destinations, this vibrant town of around 900 has retained its historic western flair and local flavor. Philipsburg is home to the globally renowned, Ranch at Rock Creek, a destination guest ranch situated on the main stem of Rock Creek.
For outdoor adventurers, the area provides a host of activities. Skiers and snowboarders will marvel at Discovery’s 2,200 skiable acres, 215 inches of annual snowfall, and 2,388-foot vertical drop. For summer fun, Disco Bike Park is located 20 minutes away at the bottom of Discovery’s back side. The park offers 1,000-foot lift-served vertical terrain offering a mix of flow and technical style trails. The ranch is also within close proximity to the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness, a nearly 160,000 acre roadless playground, known for its spectacular mountain peaks, trout filled alpine lakes and hiking/stock trails. Additionally, the area is surrounded by the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest encompassing nearly 3.4 million acres of publicly accessible ground in which to recreate.
For the sporting set, the region provides ample big game hunting and fishing opportunities, including Georgetown Lake and the many forks of the famous Blue Ribbon Trout fishery, Rock Creek and in the vast swaths of public land nearby.
Located west of the Continental Divide, the climate is influenced more by weather patterns originating over the Pacific than the arctic/plains. On average, the area receives 60 inches of snow and 16 inches of rain annually. Generally, summers are short and dry with highs in July averaging 80 degrees and lows in January averaging 15 degrees. May and June are typically the wettest with the region averaging 1.5-2.5 inches per year during those months. The snowy season typically lasts from mid-October to May. Humidity is generally not a factor in terms of comfort in arid regions like Montana nor is the Philipsburg locale known for excessive wind.
The ranch is currently subdivided into 20± parcels should a new owner wish to explore the option of development. The existence of such a significant subdivision in an area of large ranches makes the property ideal for a conservation easement to preserve the agricultural aesthetic.
Residence
The Crown Jewel of Kokopelli Ranch is the magnificent owner’s residence perched perfectly near the crest of the area’s most prominent ridge. This 7,720 square foot, five-bedroom, seven- bathroom masterpiece was painstakingly sited to capture what is arguably the best scenery in the region with expansive views of Pintler Mountain Range above and the East Fork Valley below. Situated to blend harmoniously in with the setting, the home makes ample use of natural materials and thoughtful integration of the surrounding landscape. Constructed from large logs salvaged from a forest fire in Oregon it imbues rustic charm reminiscent of the early western lodges when massive log structures were the standard.
The main level was thoughtfully designed with vaulted ceilings offering story-book views from nearly every location. The focal point of the great room is the floor-to-ceiling rock fireplace creating a cozy, four-season living space.
The home offers convenient living with the kitchen, laundry and master suite located on the main level. The kitchen is bright and open with luxury appliances, a breakfast nook and dumbwaiter to easily move goods from the main level to basement pantry. The master suite, situated just off the great room, offers a spacious bedroom, walk-in closet, soaker tub and glass block shower. Above the master suite is an office space accessed by a spiral staircase with natural wood balusters.
The full walkout basement is complete with 4 additional bedrooms, each with their own bathrooms and two ensuite. Additional amenities include a second living room, workout room with sauna and shower, additional laundry, temperature controlled wine cellar, pantry and mechanical room with cistern for water storage. The home comes with a generator, wired to operate the critical systems in case of emergency.
The home is serviced by an attached, oversized three-bay garage with room for three vehicles and a workspace for small projects.
Barn
Kokopelli Ranch is ideally set up for horses. The 26’ x 36’ horse barn offers two stalls, a wash station, tack and vet rooms, toilet facilities and a washer and dryer. There are numerous pens, shelters and water available.
Equipment Shed
Adjacent to the horse barn is a 30’ x 84’ enclosed equipment shed complete with six roll-up doors and power. The current owners utilize this shed for equipment and hay storage.
The ranch lacks surface water but retain one ground water right for stock and domestic purposes.
The sellers will convey all mineral rights they own, if any.
Property taxes are estimated at $21,239 based upon past years.
Kokopelli Ranch lacks a significant operational component. However, the ranch is fenced and cross fenced and water is available for stock should a new owner wish to custom graze during the summer months.
