Don’t let his quiet demeanor fool you, he’s the one you want to have your back if things get ugly. He can take a punch, close a deal, and continues to be competitive in areas such as the triple jump, arm wrestling, and powerlifting. A fourth-generation citizen of “Butte, America”, his roots run deep and colorful. Be sure to ask him about inspiring Evel Knievel, the “Butte Assassin”, and playing baseball at Gonzaga University.
When not representing Hall and Hall, you’ll find Randy expressing his passion for the outdoors and agriculture with his family. He’s at home in the backcountry, on a river, riding a horse, or volunteering for hospice. That’s “Montana” level “range” and the lessons learned from Butte are his anchors.
Takeaway: Randy’s attention to detail, discipline, and competitiveness is just what you need to take on Montana and Wyoming.
Explore Montana and Wyoming with Randy.
Click HERE to learn more about Randy.
The Trinity Ranch is situated in the scenic Stillwater River Valley, just minutes west of Columbus and less than an hour from Billings, Montana. Encompassing approximately 158± deeded acres, of which nearly 92± acres can be irrigated, the ranch has over 1,500± feet of Stillwater River frontage, one of Montana’s premier trout fisheries. The improvements consist of a comfortable three-bedroom main house showcasing beautiful views of the Beartooth Mountains.
The Trinity Ranch’s greatest asset is the Stillwater River, which is the entire northern boundary of the ranch. Immediately south of the river lie all the improvements, allowing you a true river-life experience. The ranch's southern boundary is Highway 78, creating a 158± acre irrigated buffer of farm production between the river and highway.
The Trinity Ranch is an amazing opportunity to own a retreat on one of Montana’s most notable “blue ribbon” trout fisheries, the Stillwater River. The land along its banks is becoming increasingly more difficult to find. Not only does it have fantastic fishery, but the Trinity Ranch is also in the foreground of the magnificent Beartooth Mountains. With its manageable farm component and proximity to event-filled communities, this ranch is unmatched at this price point.
The Trinity Ranch is located about ten miles south of Columbus and lies on the north side of State Highway 78. Columbus has all the necessary staples to operate the ranch, including a good airport (Woltermann Memorial) with a 3,814’X75’ asphalt strip. Red Lodge, the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, is less than 40 miles from the ranch and provides upscale dining, retail shopping, and Red Lodge Mountain Ski Resort. Billings is approximately 50 miles from the ranch and is the major trade center for all of Montana and northern Wyoming. Billings Logan is one of Montana’s largest airports, providing air service through American, Delta, United, Horizon, Frontier, and Allegiant airlines.
Columbus and Absarokee provide a friendly place to purchase all the staples needed to operate the ranch. Columbus, which is closest to the ranch, has a population of approximately 2,500 and is the county seat of Stillwater County. It has a small community 23-bed Critical Access Hospital with 24/7 Emergency Service. Less than an hour’s drive, Billings has the largest cluster of medical facilities between Salt Lake City, Denver, and Boise, employing nearly 5,500 people in two major medical complexes.
Stillwater County extends north from the Beartooth-Absarokee Wilderness Area towards the Yellowstone River Corridor, which runs through Columbus in an east-to-west direction. Its population is estimated to be near 10,000. The county has grown consistently over the last ten years due to influences from the ex-urban development associated with Billings and the development and growth of the Stillwater Mine.
The immediate area around the ranch has a diverse and aesthetic flavor, with small—to medium-sized foothill ranches and river homes along the banks of the Stillwater River. These are owned by a mix of full-time and part-time residents. The area is regarded as a stable and prosperous community that experiences large influxes of tourists and part-time residents during the summer and fall months. The activities in this part of Montana are world-renowned for fishing, hiking, rafting, camping, and skiing.
The average annual precipitation is approximately 15 inches, with nearly 60 percent of it falling during May through September. The growing season averages a frost-free period of 121 days. The average daytime temperature in the summer is 78 degrees, and 21 degrees in the winter. Fall produces the multitude of colors one would expect in a four-season area with stands of riverfront deciduous cottonwood trees. One can expect some snow cover in the winter. The location is known for its warm spring rains that bring the blessing of new growth as the Stillwater Valley erupts in green grass and wildflower bloom.
The main house was originally constructed in about 1900 and was remodeled in 1980. The wood frame structure is wood-sided with an asphalt-shingled gable roof. There are three bedrooms, one full bathroom, one half bathroom, a dining room, a family room, a kitchen, and a laundry room. The ranch-style home is 1,523± square feet. In addition, there is a 480± square feet detached garage.
The quintessential red barn, built in 1940, is approximately 1,088 square feet. It is a solid structure and offers dry storage on both the main floor and the loft area.
There is a large metal-sided and metal-roofed equipment shed with a dirt floor. It's a good, covered space for farm equipment and/or drift boats and rafts.
Several ancillary buildings are located at the headquarters, providing additional secure storage.
The property has approximately 1,500 feet of frontage along the Stillwater River. All irrigation water is diverted from the Stillwater River through the Roadhouse and Nichols Ditches. The water rights are recorded and are typically more than sufficient for irrigation needs. Additionally, there is one domestic well on the property.
The annual real estate taxes are estimated at $2,345 based on past years.
The mountains provide a stunning backdrop to any fishing or float trip. In the river's lower reaches, as it meanders through the ranch, excellent fly fishing can be experienced. Trout are plentiful as rainbows and browns populate the river. It is estimated that there are nearly 3,000 trout per mile. Brown trout average 12-14 inches, but one can expect to hook into a specimen exceeding 20 inches at any time. Rainbow trout in this section of the Stillwater River average about 12 inches, although they are routinely caught over 18 inches. This is definitely a dry-fly fishing river. Insect hatches begin appearing as early as April and May. The advantage during spring is the opportunity to hit rainbows running up the river out of the Yellowstone River to spawn, creating the perfect opportunity to catch the really big fish. The first big hatch of the year is very close to Mother’s Day. The water clears by late June and warms up to nearly 50 degrees. Fishing the hatches at this time can be highly productive. Next, in mid-July, a major caddis hatch begins and usually lasts about three weeks. A Pale Morning Dun mayfly hatch comes off in mid to late July and can be great dry-fly fishing, as does a hatch of brown drakes. By late July, trout start looking for grasshoppers. And in late September, the browns begin to spawn. Big browns are frequently taken on streamers as they move up from the Yellowstone River.
The current agricultural operation is based on leasing the ranch for production and grazing to a local rancher. The current lease agreement is available to a potential purchaser. The headquarters, located on the river, is enjoyed by the current owners and their guests throughout the year.
What started as a random phone call from a website listing, ended with a “dream come true” ranch and a lasting friendship.
Our acquisition with Hall and Hall was a 5-star experience. After originally touring four ranches with Randy Shelton, we didn’t settle on one to pursue. He continued his search and found the perfect fit for us on our 5th ranch showing. Randy stayed highly engaged in every aspect of a complicated...
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