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.
This 2,575± acre mountain property is located in both Washakie and Natrona counties, approximately 40 miles south of Ten Sleep. The ranch is situated on the southwest corner of the Bighorn Mountains with Lost Creek, Little Lost Creek and six tributaries passing through the property. The terrain is mountainous with open sagebrush flats transitioning to foothills and mountains covered with dense stands of pine and aspen trees. The small mountain streams that are scattered throughout the ranch flow west and eventually north into the Nowood River, providing drinking water for both wildlife and livestock. The ranch is extremely private with huge expansive views. It offers an ideal combination of timbered areas that provide excellent wildlife habitat and rangeland that allows for a functional grazing property.
The 2,575± acre ranch is accessed off Cherry Creek Stock Trail, a county road off Upper Nowood Road. From Cherry Creek Stock Trail Road, the ranch is accessed by easement through the adjacent landowners. The ranch is entered from the north onto the mid-elevation of the ranch. From there, the landscape changes dramatically, from open grass and brush-filled bottoms that feed up into rugged draws, benches, ridges, and ultimately to the highest elevation on the east side of the ranch.
Lost Creek flows west and then northerly through the ranch collecting three tributaries and multiple spring-fed drainages before leaving the property. The lower elevations on the west end of the ranch are covered with sagebrush and shaded rock outcroppings, providing ideal mule deer habitat. To the east, the elevation increases from grassy bottom areas into aspen groves and pine ridges. The ranch is scenically appealing and a magnet for a broad diversity of wildlife.
Lost Creek Mountain Property is an opportunity to own a solid summer grazing ranch and a beautiful hunting property in one of Wyoming’s most desirable areas. There are plenty of elk, deer and antelope on, and traveling through, the property on a consistent basis for enjoying or hunting. The surrounding area is loaded with opportunities to explore, without a lot of people. Lost Creek Mountain Property is an affordable option to getting in and having the ability to hunt one of Wyoming’s most sought-after areas.
The Lost Creek Mountain Property is located south of Ten Sleep, Wyoming, taking in a significant portion of the southwest Bighorn Mountains. Approximately 35 miles from Ten Sleep, the ranch is extremely private, in an area that is lightly impacted, and much as it was 100+ years ago. Just an hour from the ranch lies Worland, a mid-sized, prosperous town that sits in the middle of the Bighorn Basin. Commercial air service is available in nearby Cody, and Worland has its own airport for private aircraft. Worland has a full range of services and amenities to accommodate most needs. The ranch is accessed by the county road Cherry Creek Stock Trail, just off the Upper Nowood Road.
This area of Wyoming is primarily known for large tracts of land that lie in and below the Bighorn Mountains, feeding out towards the plains of central Wyoming. Grass-covered bottoms flow up into ridges covered with sagebrush, then further up into timber country and aspen bottoms. Most all adjacent landowners use this higher ground for summer grazing of livestock and ultimately big game hunting for elk, deer and antelope. The ranch is an exceptional hunting property.
Because of its elevation, Wyoming has a relatively cool climate. The average high temperatures in the summer months at Ten Sleep max out in the 80s and the average low in the winter months is around 20 degrees. With increasing elevation, average temperatures drop rapidly. Summer nights are invariably cool, even though daytime readings may be in the 80s at times. High temperatures rarely reach 90 degrees on the ranch. In the wintertime, it is characteristic to have rapid and frequent changes between mild and cold spells. Average annual precipitation at Ten Sleep is around 12 inches. Snow at the ranch can be considerable and limit travel to the ranch in the winter. Although it is not predictable, the elevation of the ranch assures some serious snowfalls in winter which can reduce the accessibility to the ranch.
Seller does not believe to own any mineral rights. Any owned by the Seller will convey to the Buyer at closing.
There are multiple water sources throughout the ranch, providing plentiful water for livestock and wildlife. Multiple spring-fed tributaries traverse throughout the ranch and ultimately end up in one of several drainages of Lost Creek. The springs and creek bottoms flow throughout most of the ranch. The ranch also has a spring-fed well that supplies additional water to the center of the ranch.
Based upon past years, the real estate taxes are estimated to run less than $1,000 per year.
Lost Creek Mountain Property is home to a variety of wildlife. Showcasing the ranch is the opportunity of seeing trophy elk. Elk frequent and inhabit the property. Timbered ridges, spring-fed draws and grass parks are key habitat to supporting the area elk herd. Besides elk, the ranch holds good populations of mule deer. The lower elevations on the west end of the ranch are covered with sagebrush and shaded rock outcroppings, providing ideal mule deer habitat. There are also quite a few antelope scattered throughout the ranch as well.
Lost Creek Mountain Property lies in the elk hunting Area 48, an area known for producing giant trophy bull elk, and is relatively easy to draw a license. Numerous trophy elk have been harvested on the ranch. The ranch has historically received “landowner tags” for elk, mule deer and antelope. The ranch has areas of timber and spring bottoms that elk love to inhabit, and the mule deer enjoy the same. The lower ground is covered with sagebrush that the mule deer love to browse and hang in for refuge.
Lost Creek Mountain Property offers endless recreational opportunities. The property and the area are known for its excellent hunting. In addition, Lost Creek Mountain Property is ideal for horseback riding, ATV riding and hiking. The dramatic views, the mountainous setting and the large ridges provide beautiful scenery while enjoying the ranch.
The Lost Creek Mountain Property has historically been utilized as a summer grazing allotment for cattle, and hunting in the fall. The ranch has been supporting 300 pair of cattle in the summer months. Leased to a local tenant, the sellers have opted to lease the summer grazing. The diverse topography and many different attributes of the ranch make it an ideal big game hunting property.
Cash at closing
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...
Located 15 miles east of Laramie, this premier elk hunting ranch is adjacent to the Medicine Bow National Forest. Offering extreme privacy, world-class improvements, and recreation in a diverse landscape.
This 13,980± total acre contiguous ranch offers a balance of timbered ridges and canyons, complementing exceptional grasslands. All the needed improvements, excellent grazing, and some of the best big game hunting in the state.
Located 20 miles south of Ten Sleep in a dramatic canyon setting. 276± acres includes over two miles of canyon, countless miles of fishing, off-grid cabin, adjoins public lands.
End-of-the-road private family retreat on the river encompassed on three sides by USFS in dramatic setting under towering craggy peaks. Thoughtfully executed, classic log improvements. Year-round access 45 miles from Cody.
Guest and cattle ranch runs from near Ten Sleep to the top of the Bighorns. Exquisitely executed lodge, four guest houses, equine facility, exceptional views, and wildlife. 5,000 foot paved airport.
