Whetstone Mountain Ranch

Land Description

Whetstone Mountain Ranch, high inthe West Elk Mountains near Crested Butte, Colorado, you'll not only be awayfrom it all, but also above it all. This 1,243.55A acre wilderness ranch forsale boasts sweeping views of the magnificent Ohio Creek Valley that will beshared only by you and the eagles. If you're interested in having your nearest neighborsbe elk, mule deer, black bears and lush meadows of wildflowers, WhetstoneMountain Ranch is the wilderness hunting retreat of your dreams.

The healthy sub-alpine forests andmeadows that dominate the ranch create prime habitat for mule deer and elk thatfavor living just below tree line for much of the year. At an average elevationof more than 10,000 feet, the property receives abundant moisture that feedsten or more springs and ponds on the property, guaranteeing that animals won'tneed to travel away from the ranch to find water. Furthermore, the heavy standsof dark timber composed of spruce and fir, intermixed with meadows of lushnative grasses and aspen, meets the needs of wildlife for shelter and food. Inshort, Whetstone Mountain Ranch is in the midst of high-country big gamehabitat at its finest.

The hunting possibilities on theranch are as plentiful as its alpine vistas. Large mule deer roam the propertywith regularity, and bucks have been taken here that score over 200 on theBoone and Crockett scale, topping out at 243. Impressive elk herds alsofrequent the ranch and the adjacent Gunnison National Forest, which nearlysurrounds the property. The ranch qualifies for over elk tags andlandowner deer tags. Black bears are plentiful here as well and further enhancethe big game hunting opportunities. With these assets in place, the prospectsof operating Whetstone Mountain Ranch as a private or commercial huntingretreat are outstanding.

A large3,045A square foot lodge serves as headquarters for this magnificent property.It includes four bedrooms, a full kitchen, a storage garage, and a vaultedgreat room filled with trophy mounts. Spectacular high-country views can beenjoyed from its large deck. Whetstone Mountain Ranch is a fully turn-key property, with all furnishings, big game mounts, equipment, vehicles, and toolsincluded in the sale. The lodge is entirely off-grid, powered by a solar systemwith generator backup. Water comes from a gravity-feed system from a spring onthe property. A barn and storage cabin are also present on the fully fencedacreage.

Hunting is the prime attractionof this property, but jeeping and hiking are natural fits in the summertime,too. Photographic opportunities abound, with great views of nearby MountWhetstone, Carbon Peak, Mount Axtell, all of which rise in excess of 12,000Feet. Wildflower-lovers will literally have a field day here in the summer.World-renowned fly-fishing opportunities exist on the Gunnison, East, andTaylor Rivers, each within an hour's drive. The ranch is accessible bysnowmobile in the winter, and snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ski touring areideal ways to enjoy the solitude of winter. The downhill ski resort of CrestedButte is 50 minutes away, and the college town of Gunnison and its airport is30 minutes away.