Raised on a ranch south of Buffalo, Mike became passionate about agriculture and the outdoors at an early age. He worked in many facets of the operation, including farming and irrigation, commercial hay production, and cattle raising. Today, he enjoys sharing his heritage with his family. Mike graduated from Texas Tech University in 1994. Soon after graduation, the call of the Rocky Mountains brought Mike back to Wyoming as an agriculture instructor in Meeteetse, Wyoming. His entrepreneurial nature soon led Mike to own and run a commercial weed spraying and range management business. Returning to Buffalo in 1999, he bought a Farm Bureau Financial Services office. After a successful ten years in the insurance business, Mike’s love of the land caused him to turn his attention to the ranch brokerage business. It was a natural fit for Mike, and he quickly established himself as one of the top ranch brokers in Wyoming.
Click HERE to read a story about Mike and one of many successful buyer and seller transitions.
Located approximately 11 miles northwest of Aladdin, the Go Away Ranch is described by many as “The Pearl of Crook County.” This extraordinary retreat property contains 1,661± acres more or less and is bounded on the southwest, west and northwest boundaries by the Black Hills National Forest. Protected by a conservation easement, it offers a diverse mix of topographical landscapes including open meadows, wooded draws, rimrock ledges, and high plateaus, all of which offer outstanding wildlife habitat. Wildlife includes turkey, both species of deer, and migrating elk as well as geese, blue heron, mallard and wood ducks, bald and golden eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, bobcats, and mountain lions. Both Young Creek and the South Fork of Pine Creek flow through the property and provide water for two ponds where fishing is excellent for largemouth bass and bluegills. An exquisitely designed four-bedroom lodge, detached garage, barn, and corrals provide a complete set of structural amenities. Current owner has left nothing to chance in designing this exceptional getaway with wonderful views of the adjacent Black Hills National Forest.
Nestled among pine, oak and aspen trees, this 1,661± deeded acre ranch borders the Black Hills National Forest and offers expansive views plus excellent hunting, fishing and recreational opportunities.
A mix of topographical natural landscapes makes for superb wildlife habitat complete with open meadows and wooded draws, rimrock ledges and high plateaus. Preservation of the land and habitat has been established through a conservation easement with the National Wild Turkey Federation. This perpetual easement eliminates any potential of future development and serves to protect and preserve the natural landscape.
Water resources are plenty with Young Creek flowing through the southwestern part of the ranch, supplying water to two recreational ponds stocked with largemouth bass and bluegills. The South Fork of Pine Creek flows through the south and eastern part of the ranch. The combination of timber, water ,and open meadow makes for an ideal wildlife habitat.
Improvements on the Go Away Ranch are exceptional including a beautiful custom made home that is perfectly situated to take in the views of spectacular sunsets and the magnificent Black Hills National Forest, rising 4,200 feet, one and a half miles across the ranch’s watershed basin.
Go Away Ranch lies among the Black Hills in a highly coveted area of Northeast Wyoming where ranches that adjoin the national forest are tightly held and not often available. Go Away Ranch represents a significant holding where classic intrinsic beauty is dramatically enhanced by the well thought out pond developments. Its classic oak groves and dark timber interspersed with huge grassy meadows anchored by a full set of comfortable improvements offer a compelling value proposition in today’s marketplace.
The Go Away Ranch is located in the beautiful and famed Black Hills of North Eastern Wyoming. It is accessed off Interstate 90 onto Wyoming State Highway 111 which will take you north 8 miles into the unique little town of Aladdin. A beautiful drive west on highway 24 for three miles will take you to Aikman County (Oak Creek) Road. From there you will travel approximately six miles northwest to Pine Creek Road to the ranch after one mile. About an hour from the ranch is the town of Hulett (population 400±). Hulett is home to the Devils Tower National Monument. The larger town of Belle Fourche, South Dakota is an hour to the east of the ranch. The nearest airports are the Campbell County Airport in Gillette, Wyoming and the Rapid City Regional Airport, both of which are approximately 90 miles from Aladdin. The ranch is approximately 380 miles from Denver, Colorado.
The town of Aladdin is an unincorporated community located in Eastern Crook County, Wyoming. With a population of 15, the heart of the town is the Aladdin General Store which was built in 1896 and is on the Historic Register. The general store houses the post office, a bar and a store.
The nearby community of Hulett is nestled in the heart of Wyoming’s famed Bear Lodge Mountains of the Wyoming Black Hills. Hulett is home to America’s First National Monument, Devils Tower. The small town has much to offer, with breathtaking scenery, local shops, cuisine, and warm-spirited folks that call it home.
Just across the Wyoming border to the east is Belle Fourche, SD. Belle Fourche is a community of 5,000± citizens and is located on the northern slopes of the world-famous Black Hills in Western South Dakota. Belle Fourche is a regional trade center for people from the surrounding three states, North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming.
As mentioned before, Rapid City is approximately 90 miles to the east of the Go Away. The vibrant downtown offers numerous dining and shopping opportunities. There are endless options to enjoy the many hiking and biking trails in town. Visit the many attractions in the surrounding Black Hills and South Dakota Badlands.
The Go Away Ranch enjoys the mild semi-arid climate with temperatures in the summer months reaching highs of 75-85 degrees and the colder months seeing highs in the 30’s and lows down around 15 degrees. The Aladdin area enjoys sunny, comfortable days throughout most of the year, with January to April seeing the coldest temperatures and the most amount of snowfall. Annual precipitation for the area is around 19 inches with an average annual snowfall of 79 inches, which is above average moisture when compared to Wyoming’s averages.
The area surrounding the Go Away Ranch is rich and deep in history. The Black Hills is known for its history of mining and timber production. Following the discovery of gold in the Deadwood area of South Dakota, the Black Hills became a primary source of timber necessary for the gold mines to function. The town of Aladdin was established when the Wyoming and Missouri River Railroad reached the area and was founded by the first president of the railroad, Mahlon S. Kemmerer. The Mercantile Building, built in 1896 and on the Historic Register, was the hub of the small community and is still in business as a general store today. Indians, fur traders, gold seekers, timbermen, cattlemen, and railroad men make up the colorful but turbulent stories of the Black Hills area of eastern Wyoming and neighboring South Dakota.
The offering consists of a total of 1,661± deeded acres along with a 76.36 acre BLM lease. It is bordered on the southwest, west, and northwest by the Black Hills National Forest.
A custom-built lodge provides all the comforts of home and is strategically oriented to take advantage of stunning year-round sunsets and a magnificent view of the Black Hills National Forest, rising 4,200 feet, one and a half miles across the ranch’s watershed basin. The exterior is of deep red stained Wavy Edge Western Cedar siding with Idaho Honey Ledge stone columns, a large covered porch, Idaho Honey Ledge stone chimney and drive-thru entrance porte-cochere. The main entrance foyer welcomes you into an open floor plan design including vaulted cedar-lined ceiling with exposed beams. The main focal points are the stone fireplace and the incredible views via large picture windows. Floors are of antique heart pine throughout the main living area. There are four bedrooms with adjoining (3½) baths. There’s approximately 2,024 square feet of main floor living area. The kitchen features western red cedar custom cabinets complimented by Juparana Casa Blanca Granite countertops and full length serving counter. Adjacent to the kitchen/dining area you’ll find a large covered porch providing much appreciated outdoor living space. The lodge also features central air and a private well serving a 1,000 gallon cistern. A walkout lower level consists of 800± square feet of unfinished storage space which serves as a furnace and utility room and includes two storage rooms and exercise equipment for those who feel the need. Propane detection and security alarm systems have also been installed.
A detached garage, large enough for two vehicles (or toys), is complete with workbench, storage cabinets, and a separate game/fish processing room with hot water serviced deep sink, stainless steel work counter, freezer and storage closet. Just outside there is a deer cleaning hoist.
Primary grid electricity is provided by Powder River Corp via a buried power line. There is a detached power house containing a backup electrical system complete with a Kohler 20-2000 kw, Ford LRG-425 engine, generator. Two 1,000 gallon propane (buried) tanks supply propane for the generator and lodge.
A 36’X102’ open barn including two adjoining tack rooms, corral, and open-faced shed are situated near the property entrance and currently utilized for equipment and fuel storage (300 gal. gasoline tank/500 gal diesel tank). The barn and corral would serve for horse and livestock purposes. In addition, there’s a shared water well located west of the barn which serves both as a domestic and livestock watering supply for the barn and two neighbors.
Support persons familiar with the property are engaged to maintain boundary and interior fencing, house grounds, lodge and pasture water systems, road, and miscellaneous other needs.
Young Creek flows through the south and western third of the ranch and supplies water to two recreational ponds stocked with largemouth bass and bluegills. The South Fork of Pine Creek flows through the south and eastern third of the ranch. The ranch has bountiful water supply that is well dispersed for both livestock and wildlife. Additionally, the ranch has a spring-fed pipeline system for additional supply.
There will be no mineral reservations by the Seller. All owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing. The Seller does not know what mineral interests, if any, are currently owned.
The real estate taxes are approximately $2,835 annually, based on previous years.
Wildlife is plentiful on the Go Away Ranch, inclusive primarily of turkey, whitetail and mule deer. In addition, there are resident geese, blue heron, mallard and wood ducks, bald and golden eagles, falcons, hawks, owls, bobcats, mountain lions, and occasionally elk roam through the area.
There is an abundance of recreational activities that can be enjoyed on the Go Away Ranch that include 25± miles of pathways ideal for hiking, off-road vehicle riding, and horseback riding. Hunting and fishing opportunities are a definite draw to this property as it is teeming with wildlife and two stocked ponds where fishing, swimming, or kayaking can be enjoyed. The ranch borders the Black Hills National Forest, so recreational opportunities are endless, including camping, hiking, fishing, ATV, and horseback riding in the summer months, and skiing and snowmobiling in the winter months.
The Go Away Ranch is the ideal property for those who dream of private and awesome grandeur of the Wyoming outdoors along with true western living. The current owner leases to a neighbor who grazes cattle. The ranch is an ideal location for a family retreat offering a wide variety of recreational activities throughout the year, as well as the chance to experience the peace and quiet of the spectacular surroundings.
Mike's ranching background, thoughtfulness and attention to detail all made for a smooth and successful closing.
Working with Mike Fraley to sell our family ranch was truly a pleasure throughout the process. He handled everything with skill and integrity, from family emotions and interfacing with ranch hands, to managing showings without interfering with ranching operations and expertly handling all the...
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