MOOSE CREEK RANCH MACKAY, IDAHO $2,375,000 503± ACRES LISTING AGENT: TRENT JONES 560 2ND AVENUE NORTH KETCHUM, IDAHO 83340 P: 208.622.4133 M: 208.720.2871 TJONES@HALLANDHALL.COM
Land that s where it all begins. Whether it is ranch land or family retreats, working cattle ranches, plantations, farms, estancias, timber or recreational ranches for sale, it all starts with the land. Since 1946, Hall and Hall has specialized in serving the owners and prospective owners of quality rural real estate by providing mortgage loans, appraisals, land management, auction and brokerage services within a unique, integrated partnership structure. Our business began by cultivating long-term relationships built upon personal service and expert counsel. We have continued to grow today by being client-focused and results-oriented because while it all starts with the land, we know it ends with you. WITH OFFICES IN: DENVER, COLORADO EATON, COLORADO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO SUN VALLEY, IDAHO HUTCHINSON, KANSAS NORTH PLATTE, NEBRASKA BILLINGS, MONTANA BOZEMAN, MONTANA MISSOULA, MONTANA COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS LUBBOCK, TEXAS BUFFALO, WYOMING SOUTHEASTERN US SALES AUCTIONS FINANCE APPRAISALS MANAGEMENT 2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Featuring three-quarters of a mile of both sides of the Big Lost River, this beautiful 500± acre ranch, only an hour and a half from Sun Valley, is among the valley s premier trout fishing and wildlife properties. Two attractively furnished fishing cabins nestled in a secluded cottonwood setting offer huge views of Idaho s highest peaks. Approximately 140 acres are productive sprinkler irrigated cropland. Wildlife on the ranch abounds and includes moose, whitetail deer, mule deer, wild turkey, raptors, waterfowl, and upland game birds. The river s riffles, runs, and deep holes are home to large rainbow trout that exceed 20 inches. 3
LOCATION The Moose Creek Ranch is located in the scenic Lost River Valley 5 miles southeast of the small ranching community of Mackay, Idaho (population 566) and is accessed from U.S. Highway 93 via Houston Road, a well-maintained, all-season county road. The city of Idaho Falls, 85 miles southeast of the ranch, is the principal trade center for the region and home to Idaho Falls Regional Airport, which offers regular commercial air service on Delta/Skywest, United Express, Allegiant, and Horizon Airlines. The resort community of Ketchum/Sun Valley is located approximately 65 miles west of the property and provides alternate commercial air service from Friedman Memorial Field on Delta/Skywest and Horizon. Mackay offers a 4,400- foot runway capable of accommodating larger twin-engine aircraft, while the community of Arco, 45 miles south of the ranch, offers a 6,600-foot airstrip that can accommodate most jet aircraft. All general amenities are found in Mackay, including a grocery store, a bank, several restaurants, filling stations, and farm and ranch supplies. The district Forest Service office is also located there. LOCALE With stunning vistas in every direction, the Lost River Valley is considered one of Idaho s most scenic areas and is among the state s top regions for outdoor recreation. The majestic Lost River Range flanks the east side of the valley and spans over 70 miles from Arco to Challis. The Lost River Range claims seven of Idaho s ten peaks over 12,000 feet, including Mt. Borah, the state s highest peak at 12,662 feet. The White Knob and Pioneer Ranges extend westward from the valley floor adding to the dramatic views. The Big Lost River originates high in the Pioneer and Boulder Mountains and meanders first east and then south through the valley, providing irrigation water for farms and ranches as well as outstanding trout fishing. About 5 miles north of Mackay, the Mackay Dam impounds the Big Lost River creating camping, boating, and fishing opportunities. 4
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The town of Mackay lies at the heart of the Lost River Valley and is the area s service and social center. John V. Mackay, who discovered the famous Comstock Lode near Virginia City, Nevada, founded the town in 1901 as the site of a copper smelter and supply point for nearby mines. By 1919, Mackay-area mines were producing record amounts of copper, and the town was often referred to as Copper City. At its height, Mackay was home to over 5,000 residents with businesses to match, including one of the early J.C. Penny Company department stores. The late 1940s marked the end of any significant mining activity, although limited mining continued until the mid-1970s. With an active railhead during the mining heyday, Mackay also became the center for the valley s growing agricultural industry and at one point was the leading shipper of livestock in the state. Today, the local economy is based primarily on cattle ranching and to an increasing extent outdoor recreation and tourism. In keeping with its Wild West image, Mackay holds 2 annual events that represent both sides of the area s present day economy. Each June, Mackay holds its famous rodeo event, Idaho s Wildest Rodeo, which attracts competitors and spectators from across the region. In August, the White Knob Challenge mountain bike race is held in the hills surrounding the town. This is a nationally recognized mountain bike event, bringing riders from around the West to the area. 6
GENERAL DESCRIPTION The Moose Creek Ranch is a beautiful, meticulously maintained recreational ranch that offers privacy in a scenic mountain setting. The property is bordered by Houston Road to the south and larger rural parcels and ranchlands to the north, east and west. The 11,000-foot granite and limestone peaks of the Lost River Range dominate the view as one enters the ranch from Houston Road and follows the gravel driveway across an elevated bench before dropping into the river bottom where the owner s compound is located. The Big Lost River is the defining feature of the property and meanders through the heart of the ranch for approximately three-quarters of a mile. Sloughs, pocket wetlands, and lush riparian vegetation extend from either side of the river contributing to one s strong sense of privacy and providing excellent cover for a variety of wildlife. Fly-fishing for rainbow trout in this stretch of the river is excellent. ACREAGE The ranch consists of 503 deeded acres, more or less. 7
IMPROVEMENTS Located near the river well-away from the county road and ranch entrance, the building compound features 2 beautifully appointed and furnished log cabins as well as a separate garage/shop building. The larger of the two dwellings is a lovely 1,170 square-foot cabin built in 1993 and remodeled in 2008. The interior consists of a master bedroom with full bathroom and a large living/dining area with an adjoining kitchen. A beautiful stone fireplace keeps the cabin warm on cool evenings. The kitchen features a full set of appliances, including a Subzero refrigerator and compact washer/dryer. The cabin is perched above the river with incredible views of the Lost River peaks to the northeast through large plate glass windows. The spacious back deck is the perfect place to gear up for a day of fishing and then wind down after a full day on the river. A second 375 square-foot log cabin with equally stunning views is situated adjacent to the main cabin and ideal for accommodating ranch guests. Constructed by Pioneer Cabin Company of Sun Valley (www.pioneercabincompany.com), this comfortable, authentically designed cabin consists of a single bedroom, bathroom, and sitting area. The price of the ranch includes all furniture and home furnishings in both dwellings. The ranch compound also features a 625 square-foot heated garage/shop building. The garage sits on a concrete pad and includes double 25 x 10 overhangs for convenient covered storage. A classic log barn and shed, which have been re-roofed, are located on the upper portion of the ranch adjacent to Houston Road. The ranch is on the grid and is serviced by underground phone and power lines. 8
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CLIMATE The elevation of the ranch is approximately 5,800 feet. The climate for the Lost River Valley is best described as semi-arid with over 300 sunny days a year and annual precipitation of approximately 9 inches. Summers are warm with temperatures occasionally reaching the low 90s and cooling to the mid-40s at night. Winters can be cold, although the series of mountains to the west often create a moisture barrier, resulting in relatively open winters with little snow pack on the valley floor. GENERAL OPERATION The outstanding lifestyle and recreational attributes of the ranch are balanced with a solid irrigated cropland component. Approximately 140 acres are irrigated via a Zimmatic center pivot (installed in 2008) and 2 wheel lines. The owner has planted barley for the past 2 seasons and intends to seed the irrigated fields to alfalfa in 2010. There are appurtenant water rights (5 surface rights and a single groundwater right) to irrigate an approximate combined total of 284 acres. Although the property is not being grazed currently, it could easily accommodate a small number of cattle and/or personal horses during the grazing season. 10
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WILDLIFE AND RECREATION RESOURCES The Lost River Valley offers a variety of high quality recreation opportunities. Trout fishing, big game hunting, wingshooting, horseback riding, hiking, mountain bike riding, and wildlife viewing can all be outstanding and enjoyed either on or minutes away from the Moose Creek Ranch. In addition, Sun Valley is less than an hour and a half away and offers all of the amenities one might expect to find in a world-class, all-season destination resort, including downhill and Nordic skiing, golf and tennis, gourmet restaurants, shopping, art galleries, and summer festivals. Trout fishing is among the most highly pursued activities in the area. Long known to locals for its outstanding fishing, the Big Lost River has become a destination for anglers from across the region and is frequented on a daily basis by the top Sun Valley fishing guides. The lower river below Mackay Reservoir is renowned as a quality tailwater fishery, and has gained a reputation for producing big fish. It is also one of central Idaho s best winter fishing locations. Located on one of the most private and productive reaches of the lower Big Lost, Moose Creek Ranch enjoys approximately three-quarters of a mile of the river s riffles, deep runs, undercut banks, and sharp meanders, all of which provide excellent fishing for rainbow trout, some which exceed 20 inches. As a bonus, a small spring creek rises on the property east of the main buildings and flows year-round for approximately a quarter-mile before exiting the ranch and joining the river. Although not a significant fishery at present, the creek is ripe for a restoration/enhancement effort to improve trout habitat. 12
The ranch also comprises a lush riparian corridor consisting of sub-irrigated meadows and stands of cottonwood and willow. This rich area provides a haven for moose, whitetail, mule deer, and wild turkey that call the ranch home. Ducks and geese also utilize the river corridor and provide wingshooting opportunities on the ranch through the season. For the upland hunter, the owner of Moose Creek planted pheasants and chukar partridge 2 years ago, and from all accounts birds are taking advantage of the ranch s abundant habitat and holding over from year to year. Populations could easily be enhanced with additional plantings. PROPERTY TAXES Based upon past years, the real estate taxes are estimated to be $4,441 per year. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A conservation easement covers 240 acres of the ranch for the purpose of protecting the property s significant open space and wildlife features. A former owner of the ranch donated the easement to the Wood River Land Trust (www.woodriverlandtrust.org) in December 1999. Under the easement, agricultural and recreation uses are permitted, while subdivision and additional residential structures are disallowed. The existing ranch improvements are located within the portion of the property covered by the easement. A copy of the easement, along with a list of permitted and prohibited uses of the property, is available from Hall and Hall upon request. 13
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BROKER S COMMENTS With its uncluttered setting, relaxed pace, and rural lifestyle, the Lost River Valley offers a glimpse of old Idaho, and the Moose Creek Ranch represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire one of the valley s premier recreation properties. Significant private frontage on the Big Lost River provides immediate access to one of Idaho s most prolific trout streams. And with a year-round driving time to Sun Valley of around an hour and half, Moose Creek is the kind of property on every fly angler s wish list. 15
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Click on map above for link to Google Earth map of property. PRICE $2,375,000 NOTICE: Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classifications, acreages, building measurements, carrying capacities, potential profits, etc., are intended only as general guidelines and have been provided by sources deemed reliable, but whose accuracy we cannot guarantee. Prospective buyers should verify all information to their satisfaction. Prospective buyers should also be aware that the photographs in this brochure may have been digitally enhanced. 17
ADDITIONAL SERVICES OFFERED BY HALL AND HALL 1. MANAGEMENT SERVICES Hall and Hall s Management Division has a very clear mission to represent the owner and to ensure that his or her experience is a positive one. Services are customized to suit the owner s needs. They often begin with the recruiting and hiring of a suitable ranch manager or caretaker and are followed by the development of a management or operating plan along with appropriate budgets. Ongoing services include bill paying, ranch oversight, and consulting services as needed. Even the most sophisticated and experienced ranch owners appreciate the value of a management firm representing them and providing advice on local area practices and costs. Wes Oja and Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500, Randy Clavel at (308) 534-9000 or Justin Bryan at (325) 260-5883 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call. 2. RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT SERVICES Increasingly the value of a ranch is measured by the quality of each and every one of its resources. Coincidentally the enhancement of a ranch s resources also increases the pleasure that one derives from the ownership of a ranch. Our management services have included the assessment of everything from wildlife habitat to bird habitat to water resources and fisheries and the subsequent oversight of the process involved with the enhancement of these resources. Wes Oja or Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call. 3. AUCTIONS - Hall and Hall Auctions offers Another Solution to create liquidity for the owners of Investment-Quality Rural Real Estate. Our auction team has experience in marketing farmland, ranchland, timberland and recreational properties throughout the nation. Extreme attention to detail and complete transparency coupled with Hall and Hall s rolodex of over 40,000 targeted owners and buyers of rural real estate help assure that there are multiple bidders at each auction. In addition the unique Hall and Hall partnership model creates a teamwork approach that helps to assure that we realize true market value on auction day. For more information on our auction services contact Scott Shuman at (800) 829-8747. 4. SPECIALIZED LENDING - Since 1946 Hall and Hall has created a legacy by efficiently providing capital to the intermountain west. In addition to traditional farm and ranch loans, we specialize in understanding the unique aspects of placing loans on ranches where value may be influenced by recreational features, location and improvements and repayment may come from outside sources. Our extensive experience and strong relationships with our lenders allows us to quickly tell you whether we can provide the required financing. 18