Riffles n Rises Ranch Star Valley, Wyoming Fly Fishing Hunting Ranching Conservation
Riffles n Rises Ranch Star Valley, Wyoming Introduction: The Riffles n Rises Ranch is located 45 minutes south of Jackson Hole in western Wyoming s wild and scenic Lincoln County. Consisting of approximately 562 acres with lush riverfront meadows and irrigated hay land, the entire property enjoys magnificent views of the Salt River Range to the east, the Snake River Range to the north, and the Caribou Mountains to the west. The estate also boasts approximately 1 1/4 miles of the Salt River, which offers excellent fishing for wild cutthroat and brown trout. The Salt winds through the property, and there are numerous building sites capturing river and spectacular mountain views above Star Valley. In addition to the angling opportunities available on the Salt River, the ranch also features several miles of improved spring creeks that play host to fish year-round and are teeming with waterfowl during fall months. The four-bedroom, three-bath ranch home is comprised of 3,800 square feet and was extensively remodeled in 2003. The main level includes the kitchen, breakfast room, master suite with en suite bathroom, a second bedroom and bathroom, a mudroom and a den that opens onto a deck. With unprecedented angling opportunities and spectacular views, the Riffles n Rises Ranch is truly a Western paradise. Alex Maher, Owner/Broker John Merritt, Broker Tate Jarry, Associate Broker Toll Free: 866.734.6100
Location: The 562 acre Riffles n Rises Ranch is located 45 minutes south of Jackson Hole in western Wyoming s wild and scenic Lincoln County. The valley s original settlers nicknamed the area Little Switzerland in the late 1800s when they saw the lush, green valley and snow capped peaks. Today the area is commonly referred to as Star Valley and is unique in that throughout its 50 mile length, it is not wider than 6 miles between the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and the Bridger Teton National Forest. In many cases the valley is less than 4 miles wide. With elevations ranging between 5,500 and 6,000 feet above sea level, this narrow band of green countryside has become highly-desirable real estate. Star Valley s premium location amidst Wyoming s pristine, mountainous environment is ideal due in large part to its proximity to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. From the Riffles n Rises Ranch, one can head north through the Snake River Canyon to the heart of Jackson Hole and its natural wonders, summer and winter resort amenities, medical facilities and commercial airline services. There are two jet airstrips located within twenty minutes of the ranch, one 8 miles north in Alpine and one 20 miles south in Afton. The towns of Alpine, Etna, Thayne and Afton are all located on Highway 89 and provide basic conveniences such as grocery stores and gas stations, car and equipment dealerships and a hospital. In addition, the public entrance points located off Highway 89 provide access to rivers and National Forest for unlimited recreational enjoyment.
Acreage: The Riffles n Rises Ranch consists of 562 acres of riverfront meadows and irrigated hay land. Its elevation varies between 5,761 feet above sea level along the quarter mile of highway frontage to 5,710 feet along the river on the downstream end of the ranch. The entire property affords magnificent views of the Salt River Range to the east, the Snake River Range to the north, and the Caribou Mountains to the west. The Snake and Salt River Ranges both include several bold, jagged peaks that stay snow covered for most of the year. The light reflected from the peaks during sunrise and sunset is an awe inspiring sight from Riffles n Rises Ranch. Approximately 1 1/4 miles of the Salt River, a trophy wild cutthroat and brown trout fishery, meanders below the mountain views. There are numerous building sites with beautiful settings for each one. Many groves of willows flank the river on its course through the property. The river s typical summer and fall flows range between 600 and 900 cubic feet per second, making it suitable for both wade fishing and angling from a small drift boat or raft. Riffles n Rises position between public access points makes it easy to put in or take out for half day floats on the river. In addition to the river resource, the ranch has eight different springs that provide the additional water resources to make an excellent fishery and waterfowl hotspot. These springs present ponding opportunities throughout the ranch and are part of what makes the building sites unique.
Acreage: (Continued) Historically, the ranch has operated as a cattle and horse ranch, utilizing certain pastures for hay production and others for summer and winter grazing. A 30 acre meadow near the center of the ranch remains lush without irrigation and serves as a great horse pasture. There are two underground irrigation pipes that run to separate locations used in conjunction with wheel lines for irrigating the hay ground. The remainder of the ranch is flood irrigated, a method that enhances flows in the springs. The existing ranch home is located on the eastern portion of the property a few hundred yards from the highway for ease of winter accessibility. A large spring fed fishing pond is situated immediately west of the home. Its outlet runs north, picking up several smaller springs then forming a larger spring creek that is a Mallard duck haven.
Improvements: The 3,800-square-foot ranch home was originally built in the 1960s and was extensively remodeled in 2003. The main level of the home includes the kitchen and breakfast room, the master suite with bathroom, a second bedroom and bathroom, a mudroom with woodstove and den with fireplace. Outside, a deck overlooks the spring creek outlet beneath the trout lake. The kitchen features lodgepole accents, hickory cabinets and granite countertops, while the lower level encompasses a finished basement area consisting of two bedrooms, one bathroom and a den that opens onto the back lawn. The renovation in 2003 included electrical upgrades and new roof, siding, doors and windows. Also, a bridge was built to provide access across the river to the western portion of the property, and there are two new bridges crossing the spring creek. All three bridges are suitable for heavy traffic, and they provide easy access to the water features.
Live Water: The Salt River The Salt River is a classic meadow stream that flows through the center of Star Valley for approximately 50 miles. The river is navigable by small drift boat or raft, however it receives minimal boat traffic. The tributaries to the river number in the hundreds, with more than 75% of the summer flows from spring sources throughout the valley. The Salt empties into the Palisades Reservoir 6 miles downstream of the ranch, just south of the town of Alpine. The reservoir is a deep and massive body of holding water for wild brown and cutthroat trout that move freely between the Salt, Snake and Greys Rivers. Brown trout typically choose the Salt River system due to the incredible spring resources and the exceptionally fertile waters they provide. Along with the healthy populations of wild brown and cutthroat trout, the river supports a wide variety of food sources for the fish. The riffles, runs, pools and undercut banks host area insects such as blue-wing olives, pale morning duns and gray drakes. There are also hordes of caddis and small, yellow stoneflies as well as fresh water shrimp commonly referred to as scuds.
Live Water: (Continued) The best fishing of the season is during the summer and early fall months when the larger terrestrials such as the beetles and grasshoppers are out in abundance. This is a time when large dry flies resembling grasshoppers bring the largest trout to the surface to feed. The fall brings on the huge migration of trophy brown trout up the river system from Palisades Reservoir. After the first freeze in September, one might find a monster trophy brown trout resting on the bottom of a deep pool, hungry and ready to dart out after something resembling a big meal. Browns are abundantly present in the river and valley spring creeks in deep pools throughout the year, and still their numbers grow tenfold during the fall spawning run. During normal flows, the stream is perfect for wade fishing with shallow areas in the riffles that make fording the stream safe and easy. The streambed consists of smaller pebbles and rocks and is devoid of the huge boulders found in some freestone streams that make wading difficult. Resident trout, up to 24 in length and trophy browns up to 31 migrate through the property each fall on their spawning run. Wildlife Resources: Riffles n Rises Ranch enjoys occasional visits from a variety of wildlife including deer, badgers and fox. Waterfowl are abundant with a strong presence of Mallards, Green-winged teal and Canada geese, as well as herons and swans.
Live Water: Spring Creeks and Waterfowl Of the eight separate spring resources on Riffles n Rises Ranch, five have well defined creek channels that wander across the ranch in various locations, providing a total of approximately 2 1/2 additional miles of live the Salt River system is improving each year in regard to trout size and wild trout per mile. This is directly related to the spring creek restoration work throughout the valley. The five spring creeks on the ranch represent a water. The remaining tremendous opportunity three spring resources for an owner to customize occur at the river s level, their own private fishing providing open water streams and aid the throughout the year. river system during the These eight spring creeks process. In addition, are the favorite loafing the existing premium habitat or ancestral waterfowl habitat makes holes for Mallards, Green winged teal and Canada geese. Enhancement procedures have been performed on dozens of spring creeks in the valley with staggering results as the water source is clean and consistent, and the food sources are prolific. It is common knowledge that the cast and blast a regular event on the Riffles n Rises Ranch each fall. The owner has performed enhancement work on two of the five streams, and these improvements should dramatically enhance the Salt River as well as the spring creeks.
Recreation: In addition to enjoying its many private resources, the owner of Riffles n Rises Ranch will have a multitude of other recreational opportunities available nearby for comfortable day trips. These include National Forest systems for horseback riding, whitewater rafting, hiking, biking, camping, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, backcountry and cross country skiing, photography and 4WD touring. Star Valley hosts several golf courses of its own, and for the discriminating golfer, Jackson Hole provides an Arnold Palmer-designed course at the base of the Tetons, as well as the Jackson Hole Golf and Tennis Club next to Grand Teton National Park. Jackson Hole also provides the famous Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Teton Village for some of the nation s most diverse downhill skiing. The access to whitewater rafting trips on the Snake River is closer from the ranch gate than from downtown Jackson Hole. With new restrictions on snowmobiles in Yellowstone and the Tetons, outfitters are coming to Star Valley and running trips up the Grey s River Canyon in winter to access the high country and wildlife watching. Conservation Easement: The Riffles n Rises Ranch is a model candidate for a conservation easement placed by an incoming owner, creating significant potential tax benefits. Upon placing a conservation easement on the property, an owner may reserve building sites, the right to continue agricultural uses and the right to fish and hunt the property, while giving up further development rights and preserving the wild landscape in perpetuity. It is also worth noting that Wyoming has no state income tax and no state estate tax.
Summary The Riffles n Rises Ranch is a true sporting ranch, conveniently located 45 minutes from Jackson Hole in an alpine valley that affords dramatic mountain views and premium recreational opportunities. This property is filled with private water resources for fisheries and waterfowl habitat, and it is ideally located for the horse enthusiast to saddle up and ride through thousands of wilderness acres in nearby national forest lands. PRICE: $4,950,000 TAXES: $3049.37 in 2013 CONTACTS: Alex Maher, Owner/Broker John Merritt, Broker Tate Jarry, Associate Broker Toll Free: 866.734.6100 Notes: 1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you. 2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy of which we cannot guarantee. 3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller s Agent.
Riffles n Rises Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Riffles n Rises Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Riffles n Rises Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Riffles n Rises Ranch To pographic Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Riffles n Rises Ranch Area Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.