A fifth generation Montanan, Wes was born and raised on his parents’ ranch in the Judith Basin. Since graduating from Montana State University with a B.S. in Agricultural Business, Finance Option and a minor in Economics in 1987, Wes has been involved in grain and livestock marketing throughout the Midwest and Pacific Northwest including nearly a dozen years with CHS, Inc. in Montana, South Dakota and Minnesota. During his eight-year stay in Minneapolis, he spent time as a floor broker at the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and served as president of CHS Inc.’s subsidiary, Country Hedging, Inc. Wes is also a past Director of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. Wes has been with Hall & Hall Inc. since 2000 and has been a principal and director of the firm since 2003.
The sheer privacy of the Midnight Canyon Ranch cannot be overstated. Here lies a ranch that encompasses 4,792+ acres in virtually its own basin. The deeded ownership goes east and west over the top of the rocky escarpments and south over the timbered ridge that defines the back of the valley. There is no risk of seeing a neighboring house or a powerline, no chance of hearing traffic on the nearby road. Having big views of the Beartooth Front out the back of the canyon is truly awe-inspiring.
One is close enough to the Beartooth Front to have it looming over the ranch, but far enough away to see it as a part of the tremendous beauty of the Midnight Canyon Ranch. However, the aspect of the Midnight Canyon Ranch that makes it so unique is that one could remove the entire Beartooth Range and the ranch would still be one of the most spectacular. Its beauty is intrinsic to the land itself and its location with the towering Beartooth Range as a backdrop is simply an additional bonus.
As mentioned earlier, the ranch includes almost all the privately owned land in Midnight and Dark Canyons, which are both tributary to the Stillwater River. To access the ranch, one leaves the Stillwater Valley in an area where it flows through a spectacular canyon area just prior to exiting into the broader agricultural valley some two or three miles below. The entrance to Midnight Canyon Ranch is dramatic, the road passes through a narrow gap with towering cliffs on each side. The canyon in this area is less than 100 yards wide and is dominated by nearly vertical high cliffs on each side. The canyon then widens into what would more appropriately be described as a beautiful valley or basin. The buildings are located at the lower end of this valley, and one has a view of the Beartooth Plateau towering over the valley at the far end, three miles away. As one progresses up the valley, one is constantly aware of the towering cliffs, rock formations, and timbered slopes on each side. During the growing season, there are lush meadows on each side of the valley floor and numerous small drainages with aspens, chokecherries, and the like on each side, which creates a beautiful setting.Â
In addition to the main valley Midnight Canyon, which the ranch controls from ridge top to ridge top, also has a separate, private canyon, which the ranch essentially controls all the way from the top to where it enters the Stillwater Valley. This area is accessible most of the year and provides a private and very special area - one's own hidden valley. Midnight Canyon Ranch is one of Montana's rare and unique jewels; it has that incredible end-of-the-road feel to it. The particularly unique aspect of the Midnight Canyon Ranch is that, while it has all the aesthetic attributes of a canyon, such as the towering rock foundations and the dramatic ridges overlooking the softer bottom lands, it escapes the closed-in feeling that most canyons have because of its unique situation just below Montana's highest mountain range. The view from the buildings at the lower end of the valley is absolutely awe-inspiring. One has the entire canyon/valley laid out in front with the Beartooth Range in the background.
The vegetation varies from lush, rolling grass hills to stands of timber and aspen to chokecherry-filled draws and cottonwood stream bottoms. The water sources are primarily year-round springs that surface in spots up and down the creek. The creek itself, which is the central feature of the valley, would be considered an intermittent stream at the lower end, where it flows underground during periods of the year.
In past years, the ranch has hosted Polaris, Jeep, and Marlboro advertising shoots, a true testament to its overall beauty and allure.
There is no question that there are many beautiful sites and ranches along southern Montana's Beartooth Front. The Midnight Canyon Ranch unquestionably occupies one of those sites and is one of the most private that we know of. The near perfect combination of the viewshed, privacy, and appropriate improvements blend together perfectly. Â
Midnight Canyon Ranch is located in a spectacular side canyon that is tributary to the Stillwater River. It is situated just south of the Stillwater River approximately 15 miles upriver from Absarokee, which places it about 75 miles from Billings. To access the ranch from Billings, one drives 40 miles west on Interstate 90 exiting at Columbus. From Columbus, the paved state highway follows the Stillwater River up to Absarokee where a county road continues and is paved to within about seven miles of the ranch. Just over a mile from the ranch boundary, one leaves the county road on a private access road that leads to the ranch. This private road becomes a track above the ranch headquarters where it provides private access to a single homestead situated behind the ranch. The parties have agreed to reciprocal access agreements as each party needs to cross the other party’s land on occasion.
Most services are available in Absarokee, just 15 miles away. More extensive services such as banking, automobile dealerships, stores, etc., are available in Columbus, the Stillwater County seat. Somewhat further away in Red Lodge, just under an hour's drive from the ranch, are additional recreational opportunities such as Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area, access to Yellowstone Park, an outstanding 18-hole golf course, and a number of shops and gourmet restaurants. One and a half hours away, Billings, Montana's largest city provides a complete complement of services including an international airport with nonstop flights to 16 other cities. A community of over 160,000 people in the greater area, Billings is a highly regarded city that serves as the regional trade center for most of eastern Montana and northern Wyoming, headquarters for two major medical centers, livestock auctions, many of the national accounting firms, and the largest law firms in the state.
The Stillwater Valley and the town of Absarokee, which sits at the confluence of Rosebud Creek and the Stillwater River, is an area that typifies what we consider to be the best of what Montana has to offer. It is an area that has its roots firmly entrenched in ranching, both sheep and cattle. The irrigated valleys and lush foothill grasslands provide the optimum combination for successful livestock operations. Added to this agricultural foundation, there is a substantial recreational component with the towering Beartooth Plateau, Montana's highest mountain range, perched in the backyard. Complete with its own wilderness area and adjacent to Yellowstone National Park, it would be hard to duplicate for those who call this area home. Added to this base, there is a platinum-palladium mine in the mountains at the head of the Stillwater Valley which, due to pressure from the local environmental community, has reduced its operations and streamlined them to a point where it has had virtually no environmental impact on the area. It does, however, provide a substantial tax base. Columbus also boasts an excellent mix of local and international business to create a thriving local business community. The combination of recreational activities, production ag, and productive business enterprises is what makes Montana the truly special place that it is.
The Midnight Canyon Ranch is located in a Chinook area along the face of the Beartooth Mountains. Chinooks are – by definition – downslope winter winds that warm the air as it falls and, hence, compresses. Chinook is a Native American word that means “snow eater” as it can create winter temperatures in the sixties that can melt significant amounts of snow. The high canyon walls that distinguish the Midnight Canyon Ranch tend to protect it from the wind while not losing the benefit of the warm winter days created by this unusual phenomenon.Â
This small microclimate is distinguished by the fact that the vegetation and topography are typical and reminiscent of a high mountain ranch, while the climate would be considered mild by mountain standards. The high ridges and south-facing slopes tend to bare off during the winter months, and the summers are cool and comfortable with good precipitation providing a relatively lush environment for summer range. The nearest reporting station at Nye shows annual precipitation of 18 inches with wintertime daily high temperatures averaging nearly 40 degrees and summertime daily high temps averaging in the low 80s. Annual snowfall averages 86 inches with the snowiest months being March and April.
Midnight Canyon Ranch is almost exclusively native range, but there are approximately 83 acres of improved pasture. The current owners utilize the full ranch for seasonal livestock grazing under a lease arrangement with a local ranching operation. The local operators have been on the ranch for over 20 years and also provide maintenance and caretaking duties as part of their lease.
Currently no conservation easement is in place. A significant amount of personal property is available via separate negotiation.
The owner's residence is a magnificent 5,567± square foot log lodge, a true masterpiece featured in "Log Homes of the World". This extraordinary residence boasts five spacious bedrooms and four and a half luxurious baths, providing ample space and comfort for family and guests.
The lodge is adorned with two beautiful fireplaces, creating warm and inviting focal points in both the living areas and the master suite. Every detail of this home exudes rustic charm and elegance, from the handcrafted log walls to the vaulted ceilings.
For ultimate relaxation, one can unwind in the private sauna, which offers a tranquil retreat in the comfort of one's own home.
The view of the Beartooth Front from the great rooms is arguably the most captivating view this writer has seen. Whether relaxing on the expansive deck or exploring the surrounding landscape, the breathtaking scenery is sure to impress.
This exceptional log lodge exemplifies where comfort and luxury meet the rugged beauty of nature.
The honeymoon cabin is a cozy 506± square-foot restacked log structure with a charming sod roof. It features one bedroom and one bath, offering a comfortable and intimate setting. The cabin also includes a porch, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. It is conveniently located near the lodge, providing easy access to amenities while remaining separate and private for a more secluded experience.
The trapper's cabin is an 875± square-foot log structure featuring two bedrooms and one bath. It boasts a comfortable living and kitchen area, perfect for small get-togethers where some light meal preparation may be handy. The cabin includes a deck, offering a pleasant outdoor space. With a private location and a classic gable roof, this cabin provides a cozy and secluded retreat.
The manager's residence is located near the shop and barn area, spanning 3,083± square feet. This spacious home features four bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. The recently remodeled kitchen adds modern convenience and the residence includes a large rec room downstairs. Outside, a large wraparound deck provides additional outdoor living space and there is a two-car garage for parking and storage.
The ranch compound would be described as a comfortable, modern facility in excellent working condition.
The shop/horse barn/ranch office combo is a substantial 6,000± square-foot facility. The shop and office portions feature concrete floors and are heated, ensuring a comfortable and practical workspace. This combination space is designed to accommodate various ranch operations efficiently. Adjacent to the shop sits a five-bay cold storage structure of earthen berm design with three concrete walls and concrete floor. This construction provides excellent insulation and is convenient to the shop and barn.
The pole barn is a 3,000± square foot structure with a dirt floor, ideal for storing ranch supplies that do not require full weather protection. This spacious barn offers ample storage space for equipment, tools, and other materials, making it a practical additional to the ranch.Â
As a testament to the beauty and seclusion of the Midnight Canyon Ranch, it has been utilized as an advertising venue for international brands such as Marlboro, Jeep and Polaris. As such, all power and phone lines are buried and do not impact the viewshed on the ranch.
The ranch has no irrigation water rights to speak of, however, there are a number of developed springs that service the improvements as well as livestock and wildlife needs.Â
The ranch has filed on 12 water rights for domestic and stock water use.
All minerals and mineral and royalty rights owned by the Seller are included in the sale.
The annual estimated taxes are $14,244 based upon past years.
The Midnight Canyon Ranch is absolutely prime habitat for elk, black bear, and mule deer. The grass/timber/shrub mosaic that covers the bulk of the ranch provides a true haven for big game. Whitetail deer are seen on occasion but are not seen in abundance like they are along the lower Stillwater River. Sharptails and huns are seen regularly and blue grouse occasionally.
The climatic conditions described above make this an ideal situation for year-round game habitat. Because of the mild weather, the southern facing slopes, and the high ridges which bare off even in the worst of circumstances due to wind. One could enhance the ranch in hopes of attracting more or different big game or game birds.
Aside from big game and bird hunting the ranch offers tremendous recreational pursuits including horseback riding, ATVing, snowmobiling, hiking, rock climbing, and hiking into the many places that are not accessible by any means other than walking.
One has to cross the Stillwater River coming and going from the ranch. It is arguably one of Montana’s finest freestone fisheries. It has numerous access points for wade fishing or floating – simply to fish or whitewater raft/kayak. Â
Given the ranch’s location in Midnight Canyon, camping under the stars will not be diminished by light pollution from nearby cities, towns, or neighbors' yard lights. Consider the ranch to be one of the ultimate stargazing locations in the lower 48.
The Midnight Canyon Ranch has had three owners over the last 60 years and their methods of operating the ranch represent the spectrum of possibilities.
One previous owner operated the ranch as a fully balanced unit, running sheep and cattle and utilizing the dryland hay meadows to produce hay to feed the cattle during the winter season. This was a very comfortable operation for a one-man, single operator. He had almost no expenses and ran between 125 to 150 animal units with the occasional need to purchase some hay in a dry year.
The next owner was one of the state's renowned purebred Hereford breeders and he concentrated his efforts and management skills on his livestock, preferring to run higher numbers of livestock and purchase winter feed from other operators in the area. He ran around 180 large purebred cows, weaning calves in the 650 to 700 pound range. The winter feed requirements under this method of operation would vary between one-and-a-half to two tons per head.
The current owner chooses to utilize the ranch as a seasonal grazing operation, having a local livestock operator bring some of his cattle to the ranch for the summer grazing season, roughly May through October, and then shipping them to a different location for the winter. Five to ten horses and a handful of cows are kept on the ranch through the winter and a little supplemental feed is brought in and fed as needed. This method of operation requires very little owner provided management and is nearly ideal for an absentee owner.
Any of these methods of operation would be appropriate, depending on the needs of the owner.Â
The ranch has a 360± acre State of Montana lease that provides for 74 AUM’s of grazing and a Bureau of Land Management grazing lease that provides for 11 AUMs. Â
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