Red Reflet Ranch

The property begins with the ranch’s private airport which is located about six miles southeast of Ten Sleep just off the main paved Upper Nowood Road which follows the Nowood River south from Ten Sleep. From this highway, one passes the airport and turns onto the graveled Spring Creek County Road which reaches the main headquarters compound in about three miles. The county road then exits the ranch and continues to serve neighboring ranches before rejoining the Upper Nowood Road. 

Worland – about 35 miles - is the nearest city and provides full services - from banks and a hospital to groceries, restaurants, equipment dealers, etc. The nearest commercial air service would be Cody – about a two-hour drive. Cody offers more extensive amenities at most levels than Worland. Many northern Wyoming residents make the longer three-hour trip to Billings, Montana, which offers world-class medical services and extensive commercial air service. In addition, the absence of a sales tax in Montana is a real draw to Wyoming residents. 

Red Reflet lies in an area of large traditional ranches that take advantage of substantial tracts of public land in their ranching operations. In the early days of ranching in this area, there were a lot of sheep raised as they were able to take advantage of the winter forage offered in the desert environment and to survive by consuming snow for water. Predators and the difficulty of hiring herders has caused most ranches to get out of the sheep business. The ranches have been able to develop water systems which have allowed them to winter cattle in the desert and then move them to the higher elevations for summer grazing. Irrigation was developed to provide winter feed as well. Ranching operations that combine good winter range with lush high country summer pastures are some of the most economical in the region. Wildlife tends to flourish in this environment as well. For this reason, the area attracts hundreds of hunters for the fall big game hunting season. As one moves westerly from the Bighorn Mountains, the predominant land use becomes intensive irrigated farming. Many ranchers along the mountains count on these farmers to produce winter feed for their livestock. The combination of operating ranches, productive farms, and recreation make for a diversified economy and give rise to many prosperous, small communities throughout the Big Horn Basin and along the Bighorn Mountains. 

We used the word “diverse” in an earlier section and that same word applies to this section. Annual precipitation at the airport is estimated at 8 inches and the best estimate of precipitation at the mountain cabin would be in the range of 25 inches. Essentially the ranch covers the spectrum from “desert” to “alpine” and everything in between. The lower reaches of the ranch are open rolling sagebrush covered foothills. The valley opens up in the area of the headquarters and accommodates large irrigated fields. The lands adjacent to the meadows are steeper and crossed by steep canyons with fascinating colored rock formations. As one moves up into the mountains the valleys narrow, and the terrain begins to be marked by narrow canyons and open plateaus in between. As one reaches the top of the mountains where one finds about 60 percent of the ranch’s deeded acreage, the terrain has become more level and “user-friendly.” The main headquarters lies in an area that has a long growing season, many sunny days, and therefore is a comfortable place to be on a year-round basis. The upper part of the ranch is beautiful and naturally lush during the growing season but is generally inaccessible – except by snowmobile – in the winter. 

CONSERVATION EASEMENT

There are no conservation easements of any kind on the Red Reflet Ranch.

THE OFFERING

Red Reflet Ranch is being offered “turn-key” as it sits today in fully operational condition. The exception to this is that the owner’s will exclude from the sale the furnishings in their personal home, some art and family photos, their personal effects, gear, and belongings. They have agreed to provide a list of excluded items within two weeks of the execution of a purchase contract. The buyer shall have the right to approve this list during the due diligence period. 

Sellers have agreed to include the guest business at buyer’s option. As mentioned earlier, this is a sale of real estate and no value is being attributed to the guest ranch business. Buyer, of course, must be prepared to step in and honor commitments to guests and suppliers. If buyer does not wish to buy the business, then possession will be subject to the possibility that seller will have to complete the current guest season. Buyer will also have to take the property subject to current agricultural leases that will allow for cancellation – possibly with penalty – within one year. 

Red Reflet is an immaculately and completely improved ranch. It is difficult to imagine what one would build to further improve it. Virtually every building on the ranch has been built - or remodeled in a few cases – to suit a purpose either for the guest operation, the equine operation, or the livestock operation. The beauty of what is here today is that it offers the flexibility to be either a guest ranch or a family retreat. While the quality of these structures needs to be seen to be truly appreciated, we offer below a brief description of the structures on the property: 

LODGE: Built in 2008, this 9,658± square foot three story steel building was made to look like it is made of wood. It is prominently sited on a high ridge overlooking the ranch meadows. It is fully landscaped featuring two ponds filled from the artesian wells and is of course “wheelchair friendly.”

The lower level houses a second walk-in freezer, a garage, extensive storage, a commercial laundry, a recreation area, which includes a 12 seat theater, and a full bathroom for staff and a half-bath for guests using the area. There is also a fully temperature-controlled wine cellar and a small studio apartment. 

The main floor is where guests enter a beautiful foyer with huge windows looking out over the valley. There is an office here and two bathrooms. The rest of the area is devoted to a massive commercial kitchen set up for a chef, a sous- chef, a pastry chef, and servers with all state of the art commercial appliances, walk-in refrigerator and freezer, and service for up to 200 diners. There are also three dining areas, a bar, and great room with huge wood burning fireplace. The floor to ceiling windows frame magnificent views and the entire area was thoughtfully designed so that these massive picture windows retract into the floor to expand the space onto the deck. A smaller private all-glass sunroom is a favorite for more intimate groupings. The building is air conditioned with in floor heating and forced air with a sophisticated air exchange system that keeps the air fresh at all times.

The upper floor – all floors are accessed by either stairs or an elevator – is a beautiful “apartment” for the owners. They each have large well-appointed offices (one of which includes a fireplace and full bathroom), a dramatic bedroom featuring an enormous bay window that looks out in three directions. Extensive library and storage areas, walk-in closet and an enormous bathroom suite - truly fit for a royal family! There is also a private deck with hot tub. One end of this space has been set aside with a separate bathroom, dressing room, and large bedroom for visiting children and grandchildren. This is an enormous space with very large rooms that could easily be reconfigured to include more bedrooms. 

GYM/TENNIS/POOL COMPLEX: Near the main lodge, there is a swimming pool with extensive decks, a fenced, lighted tennis court, climbing walls, and a gym with exercise equipment and space for yoga. Bathrooms for changing are available here as well. 

GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS: There are four separate free-standing houses well separated from each other and the main lodge area. (Guests are all assigned an ATV or “side by side” upon arrival to get around the property.) Three of them have similar architecture to the main lodge with similarly dramatic settings. The fourth is one of the original ranch houses.

The Ranch House: As the name denotes, this is one of the original buildings on the ranch that has been totally remodeled to accommodate ranch guests. This 3,700± square foot five-bedroom, five-bath house is set in a large treed yard that overlooks a pond. The main floor includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an expansive living area along with a full kitchen and nice decks. There is a master suite upstairs and in the lower level there are two bathrooms, a large bedroom, and a bunk room for children.

Ponds Chalet: Built in similar style to the main lodge, this house occupies an intimate setting at the entrance to the red rim canyon that is home to a series of ponds and where most of the water activities take place. One of these ponds sits just in front of the house’s deck. The house is approximately 1,620 square feet of living area and includes three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms as well as a comfortable living area with fireplace, a dining area and full kitchen. 

Panorama Chalet: Also built in the same architectural vernacular, this house sits on a ridge above the main lodge and, true to its name, definitely has panoramic views of both the Bighorn Mountains to the east and the Absaroka Range to the west. Its floor to ceiling window walls make one feel like part of the outdoors. Containing 1,856± square feet of living area, it includes a master bedroom with fireplace and full bathroom suite, and a second bedroom that has its own bathroom. The great room includes a large fireplace, dining area, and a complete stainless steel kitchen. 

Couple’s Chalet: Again, in similar architectural style, this 1,400± square foot house is located on the same high ridge as the Panorama Chalet with similar views through its floor to ceiling windows. It includes a private hot tub, a raised sleeping area for the master bedroom, and a large bathroom. (All of the guest accommodations include hot tubs). This house was designed for one couple, but two Murphy beds in an alcove provide additional sleeping quarters. It also offers a full kitchen, sitting area, nice decks, and a dining area.

MOUNTAIN CABIN: This turned log cabin is approximately 1,800 square feet and is located 16 road miles above the headquarters at 7,500 feet ASL and sits on a concrete foundation built into the side of the mountain. Water is provided by springs to a cistern and power is supplied by solar with batteries and a backup propane generator. The lower level doubles as a garage for ATVs and an area for the various systems that operate the house. The main floor has a stone fireplace, seating area, large enclosed deck for dining, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is a large loft bedroom with a half bath above the main floor. 

OTHER GUEST RECREATIONAL OPTIONS: The ranch has a highly sophisticated four course zip line system and a water park as well as countless trails for hiking, horseback riding, or riding ATVs. There is also a secluded shooting range well removed from the main compound. 

THE EQUESTRIAN COMPLEX: While horseback riding is an important part of the guest ranch experience, the equestrian improvements at Red Reflet take it to another level. The facilities stand alone as a full-fledged equestrian center that would be the envy of any horseman interested in building a business of breaking, training, and/or breeding horses or even offering boarding and lessons. Primary facilities are described as follows:

THE ARENA: This 22,000± square foot free-standing steel building will accommodate indoor roping and is lit for night use with good natural lighting during the daytime. It has a six inch sand floor and three large overhead doors for access. Attached to it is a free-standing “stick-built” house that, in addition to an entrance area, gift shop and public restrooms; has a full one bedroom upstairs apartment and a complete three bedroom, three bathroom house with living room, dining area and kitchen. 

STABLE: This 3,456± square foot steel building was completed in 2002 and includes ten stalls with waterers and turnouts, a huge tack room with a bathroom, and a grooming area. 

OTHER EQUINE FACILITIES: These would include a full outdoor arena, round pen, holding pens, an exercise merry-go-round, and a series of paddocks under the rimrock where horses can be kept close by. There is also covered storage for horse hay and grain.

STAFF HOUSING: The owners have gone out of their way to provide comfortable housing for necessary staff. Here is a brief summary keeping in mind that we have already described the apartment and house that is attached to the indoor arena:

DUPLEX: This building provides two three-bedroom houses with large garages for two families.

CHEF’S HOUSE: This is a three-bedroom modular home that has been recently remodeled and includes a work area and a three-car garage.

BARN: This is one of the original buildings built over 100 years ago. It has been completely remodeled and it is poetic justice that the downstairs now offers storage and a small shop for the ranch’s fleet of ATVs. The horses now reside in much more luxurious accommodations! The upstairs now contains a four-bedroom, two-bathroom bunkhouse with a kitchen and living area. A large garage has been added to provide additional storage for ATVs and other ranch vehicles.

LOG CABIN: Located near the shop, this historic cabin has been remodeled to operate as a small apartment.

ADDITIONAL HOUSING: Seasonal housing is provided by two large Park Model RVs.

ADDITIONAL OPERATING IMPROVEMENTS: Red Reflet is a fully operational guest and working ranch that strives to be as self-contained as possible. To accomplish this the following improvements have been built or remodeled:

WORKSHOP AND INDOOR EQUIPMENT STORAGE: This large steel building includes a heated two-bay shop and a three-bay equipment storage area. It includes a bathroom, parts storage, tire repair station, and a full set of tools to handle most contingencies. 

BUTCHER SHOP: Even though the guest ranch does not offer formal guided hunting, guests and family are avid hunters and use the ranch as a base for these activities. The butcher shop is pretty much state of the art by most standards. It includes electric hoists, an outdoor skinning area, a walk-in cooler that will accommodate eight elk carcasses, stainless steel working areas and electric cutting tools, grinders, and a walk-in freezer for quick freezing the meat. 

CHICKEN COOP/GREEN HOUSE: The ranch maintains its own gardens for fresh produce throughout the season. There is a chicken house for free-range chickens that provide fresh eggs. There is also a 30’X60’ greenhouse which allows them to get a jump start on the gardening season. 

THE AIRPORT (WYOO RED REFLET AIRPORT 4,670 FEET ASL): This is a full-fledged airport as the owners are pilots and have spared no expense to provide all needed improvements and facilities for private aircraft. The strip is in good condition (surface work done in 2018) and is 5,000’X75’ sloped at a 2.78 percent grade from west to east. All aprons are paved as well. It has runway lighting and PLASI activated on 122.9 with an FAA issued and maintained GPS approach. It is surrounded by a high fence to keep wildlife off the runway. There is a covered fuel depot behind a concrete retaining wall with a 10,000 gallon JetA tank and a 500 gallon AvGas 100LL tank – both with flow meters and hose reels. The 4,900± square foot hangar was built in 2003 and is heated, has work areas, a bathroom, an office and a 58’X15’ main door and two side entrance doors. The ranch’s snow removal equipment allows the use of the airport year round.

AIRPORT HOUSES: There are two very comfortable, air conditioned houses located near the airport on separate deeded lots. The smaller house is often used as housing for pilots and is a complete two-bedroom home with two bathrooms. 

The larger 4,000± square foot home offers four bedrooms and four and a half bathrooms, extensive decks, hot tub, a great room which includes a complete kitchen, dining area, and living room as well as a full garage. 

The ranch has irrigation rights out of Spring Creek, which passes through the meadows. Its primary water rights are from nine Artesian wells which produce from 80 GPM to 900 GPM. This area is well known for these prolific wells that are drilled into the Ten Sleep formation, the Madison formation, or the Flathead formation. These formations generally occur on the ranch at 1,000 feet, 2,000 feet and 3,000 feet respectively. They flow at varying pressures of up to 200 PSI. They fill the ponds and provide water both for irrigation and for domestic use. Water from the Ten Sleep formation is the same water that has been used by the local Pepsi plant to bottle their Aquafina Mountain Spring Water. These flows allow for irrigation that requires minimal additional pumping costs and it is consistent. Annual hay production is estimated at 1,600 tons. Besides Spring Creek water rights and the wells, the ranch has filed on multiple springs and reservoirs for stock water use. 

Seller will transfer all the mineral rights that it owns.  

Annual real estate taxes are estimated at $75,000 per annum based upon past year’s taxes.

There is stream fishing on the ranch for pan-sized trout, but there is high-quality trout fishing in the area and ranch guests are able to travel short distances to find outstanding private trout fishing. There are also ponds on the ranch that are stocked with bass and some warmer water species. With multiple flowing wells that produce 600 to 900 gpm at good temperatures for trout survival, there is very good potential to put in some trout ponds that would provide excellent angling opportunities. This has not been a priority for the current owners.  

Again “diversity” is the watchword here as is “potential.” The lower reaches of the ranch under proper management have enormous potential for upland birds and pheasants. This is also where one finds most of the ranch’s antelope population. Big game hunting on the upper ranch is pretty much untapped except for family and a few friends. The ranch offers both whitetail and mule deer and there is a large herd of 300 to 400 head of elk in the immediate area who are particularly attracted to the neighbor’s hay fields. The Red Reflet fields are high fenced in most areas, although they occasionally “leak.” The ranch is in Elk Hunt Area 49, Deer Area 40 and Antelope Area 115. The owners of the ranch certainly qualify for landowner tags under Wyoming regulations. The ranch has run game spotter cameras for years and, while there are neither grizzlies nor wolves, sightings of most other wildlife from coyotes to mountain lions to golden eagles to foxes and other small mammals are quite common. Wildlife generally like the drier climate on the desert side of the Bighorns. The Mountain Cabin is a particularly nice base of operations from which to view wildlife or hunt.

Currently the primary focus of the ranch has been the guest operation. Depending on sleeping configurations, the ranch can accommodate up to 30 guests. It is billed as an all-inclusive experience and has been well received by many.

The livestock operation has been leased out to nearby ranchers on a cash basis and/or crop share. 

The owners have chosen to continue their management of the ranch as though it is not for sale. They indicate that the overall operation is profitable on a cash flow basis. Interested parties, after viewing the ranch, are welcome to visit with the owners about the current operation. HOWEVER, prospective buyers should be aware that the property is being sold as a pure real estate investment with no value attributed to the businesses that operate there. 

In our opinion, Red Reflet has enormous potential based upon its considerable resources. The guest ranch is well run and could easily be continued and or expanded. One area in particular would be a hunting operation during the season. An active livestock operation ties in nicely with the guest experience and can be a good profit center with the ability to share employees and equipment with the guest operation. A potential equine operation would also have many synergies with the guest operation depending upon the abilities of the person managing it – from clinics to horse boarding and training to events and competitions. 

Alternatively, the ranch is not so heavily improved that it could not convert to being a simple private family or corporate retreat with a 500 animal unit livestock operation. 

The ranch’s deeded lands tie in with thousands of acres of BLM and just over 2,000 acres of State of Wyoming land. The BLM land is on a permit basis which calls for 797 AUMs (Animal Unit Months). The annual cost is approximately $1,400 per year. The state lease costs approximately $4,100.