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 just out of Encampment, this 300± pair cattle ranch, located on the slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains, contains 4,300± total acres (2,600± acres are deeded). The ranch has 600± acres of very productive irrigated meadows with good water rights. Anchoring the ranch on the west side is a spectacular executive home that overlooks much of the irrigated land and the many small valleys and tributaries that feed it. There is also a nice practical set of improvements that take care of the working-end of the operation. The ranch is a perfect balance of scenic mountain country and production. The rolling, mountainous terrain supports trophy quality elk, mule deer and antelope, as well as blue grouse, ruffed grouse and Hungarian partridge.
The Half Diamond Horseshoe lies both north and west of Encampment. The main residence is a left turn to the west off Silver Spur Road up a private driveway. This spectacular executive home faces east overlooking the heart of the ranch and across the valley of the Encampment River. Just immediately south of the home is West Cottonwood Creek and a developed fishing pond filled with trout.
The working end of the ranch is immediately to the right off Silver Spur Road making it easily accessible for daily ranch activity. This was the original headquarters of the ranch and the original house is well-suited for a guest home or ranch manager’s residence. This headquarters also includes barns, corrals, shops, and all the needed improvements to run a viable cattle operation. Below the main residence and surrounding the ranch headquarter are approximately 600 irrigated acres with aspen filled draws and West Cottonwood Creek flowing through.
The mountainous portion of the ranch is contiguous and lies southwest of Encampment on both sides of State HWY 70. Continuing up the highway towards Colorado, the ranch features a combination of mountainous sagebrush slopes and dense groves of aspens with most containing flowing springs. Further up the mountain, the ranch has lodgepole and spruce pine forests that border BLM and US Forest Service land.
An immaculate and productive ranch in a convenient and scenic part of southern Wyoming, Half Diamond Horseshoe lends itself well to an absentee owner who wants a working ranch that is comfortably leased out to a local rancher. Should the new owner wish to operate the ranch, it is a well-balanced and viable operation in its own right. The recreational attributes are outstanding with trout fishing, big game, and upland bird hunting immediately out the back door.
The ranch is situated just outside Encampment, essentially bordering the town on the north and west sides. It lies at the beginning of large ranch country. The Half Diamond Horseshoe is strategically located with most of the neighboring ranches in strong hands.
The immediate area of Encampment and Saratoga to the north is considered by many to be one of the most desirable spots in Wyoming. Exceptional summertime living and recreation with a variety of amenities and activities for the enjoyment of the entire family. Encampment has plenty of recreational opportunities available in and around this scenic western town. In the summer, camping, ATVing, canoeing, fishing, rafting, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and kayaking are among the favorite outdoor activities of the locals. In the autumn, hunting is the activity of choice. Winter provides recreational opportunities like cross country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
This area of Carbon County is known for some of the best river fishing in Wyoming. The Encampment River flows into the North Platte River between Encampment and Saratoga. Both rivers are famed for remarkable freestone trout fishing.
Just 30 minutes away from the ranch is the Old Baldy Club. Old Baldy provides members and guests the unique experience of superb golf on a championship golf course designed by Henry Hughes. The club also offers members exquisite dining and a multitude of activities. For more information see: http://oldbaldyclub.com/
The ranch headquarters is at 7,250 feet elevation with the altitude of the ranch ranging from approximately 7,000 feet to over 8,500 feet on the upper reaches. In general terms, the higher in elevation the ranch goes, the more snow and moisture it receives.
Climate data for Encampment shows an average temperature range in July of 78-45 degrees and an average range in January of 33-10 degrees. Annual precipitation averages approximately 14 inches with average annual snowfall of approximately 75 inches.
WYOMING AS A TAX HAVEN
Many consider Wyoming to be one of the tax friendliest states to live in. Here are a few of the reasons:
No state income tax on personal or corporate income or out of state retirement income
No state inheritance or gift tax
No state capital gains tax
Dynasty trusts are permitted in Wyoming
No tax on personal property held for personal use
Property taxes in general are low and based on assessed values.
No taxes on the sale of real estate
Please consult a tax professional for more information and assistance in evaluating Wyoming as “tax haven”.
The ranch improvements are complete and in generally excellent condition. Half Diamond Horseshoe is distinguished by an exceptional owner’s residence estimated at over 5,200 square feet on essentially two levels. This custom-designed wood, stone and Corten steel-sided house was built in 1981 with no expense spared. The main floor features an open living room with fireplace, dining room, and modern kitchen. The east side of the home offers large glass windows providing big dramatic views, a master bedroom and bathroom, as well as 4 other bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The west side of the house opens to a beautiful stone terraced back yard for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors.
Manager/Guest House
The 1,724± -square foot structure was once the main residence for the ranch and is the anchor for the ranch headquarters.
Headquarters Complex
This complex includes two large equipment shops, barns and a complete set of working corrals.
West Cottonwood Creek is a small live stream traversing through the ranch. The ranch also has numerous spring fed drainages throughout. Half Diamond Horseshoe has exceptional water rights that are appropriated and irrigate approximately 600 acres. Further information is available at the offices of Hall and Hall.
No mineral rights are being reserved by the sellers. A mineral search has not been completed and the seller is unsure of what interests they may own.
Estimated at $4,674, based upon previous years.
If you’re looking for incredible fishing, Carbon County Wyoming is a an ideal destination. Near Encampment there are a multitude of places to fish including the Encampment River, the North Platte River, and numerous alpine lakes. Rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout are numerous in the pristine rivers. Fishing on the ranch is provided by a small stocked trout pond immediately south of the main residence.
Half Diamond Horseshoe Ranch supports an array of wildlife species. The variety of terrain, from deep evergreen forest and high mountain deserts to riparian areas along the creeks, provides habit for a wide assortment of wild game species. Resident herds of deer, elk, and antelope are abundant. When hunting season opens, hunting pressure on nearby public lands pushes additional animals, particularly elk and mule deer, onto the ranch. Both elk and mule deer are typically found on the higher elevations of the ranch most of the year, including the early fall archery season. The high plains sagebrush portions of the ranch are ideal habitat for antelope of trophy quality. The aspen groves and mountain slopes are ideal for blue grouse, and the sagebrush contry is ideal for sage grouse, providing a variety of upland game.
The ranch is currently leased to a local rancher who does all the irrigating, puts up the hay, and grazes his cattle on the property. The current owner has a comfortable relationship with this hardworking local rancher and enjoys him as a tenant. The recently renewed 3-year lease has provisions for canceling with the sale of the property. We are not privy to the financial arrangement which we believe is somewhat fluid. The Half Diamond Horseshoe is a cattle ranch with an owner rated stocking capacity of 300 pair.
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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