LOCATION
The Ohio Valley Ranch is located 12 miles north of Gunnison. The property begins just below the confluence of Mill Creek and Ohio Creek and lays on along the north side of Ohio Creek and on the west side of Mill Creek County Road 720.
Gunnison lies between Pueblo and Grand Junction and is readily accessible via US Highway 50. Gunnison by highway is 200 miles southwest from Denver, 165 miles west from Colorado Springs and 125 miles southeast from Grand Junction, Colorado. Gunnison’s commercial air service is provided by United and United Express from Denver and during the winter by Continental from Houston. The airport also provides charter service, fueling and hanger facilities.
During the summer months, mountain roads lead in from Glenwood Springs via Colorado Hwy 133 and Ohio/Kebler Pass and from Del Norte and Pagosa Springs via Colorado Hwy 149 via Lake City.
The Ohio Valley Ranch offers tremendous views of the upper and lower Ohio Creek valley and Mill Creek basin.
ACREAGE
The land use of the 579 acres is as follows:
Irrigated Acreage: 113 acres
River and Trees: 5 acres
Upland Pasture: 461 acres
Total: 579 acres
Along with the adjacency to Ohio Creek, the property is bisected by a large draw that gains elevation on a westerly course. This draw provides lush grazing and habitat for numerous forms of wildlife. The property is capable of running over 100 head of cattle for the summer grazing season with the option to produce hay on parts of the irrigated lands.
WATER
Water is abundant on this property. In addition to adjoining Ohio Creek for a short stretch the property has several irrigated upland pastures along with the meadows in the valley. The irrigated lands have the following water rights:
Appropriated Water Rights for 5.0 cubic feet per second diverted from Ohio Creek in the Hinkle-Hamilton Ditch (Priority 40 and 182) and 8.75 cubic feet per second diverted from Mill Creek in the Smelser Ditch (Priority 208 and 236).
AREA & CLIMATE
Gunnison, founded in 1874, is steeped in history of early day trappers and miners. Remnants of the old days are found at places like Pitkin, Baldwin, Ohio and Crested Butte. Crested Butte made the transition from glory day mining town to a very special year round recreation town due in large part to its fascinating beauty and skiing at Mt. Crested Butte. Gunnison provides a host of recreation activity including skiing, packing, rafting, sail-boarding, fishing and hunting, golfing, and jeep tours among others.
Gunnison and Crested Butte are served by six banks, three libraries, one Hospital with 24-hour emergency service, 18 churches, four newspapers and four radio stations not to mention excellent retail shopping, lodging and restaurants. The 2000 census indicated the population of Gunnison County at 13,500 with 5,500 people in the city of Gunnison and 2000 inhabitants in the town of Crested Butte. Gunnison is home to Western State College with attendance of 2,500.
The climate in Gunnison is typical for the central Rocky Mountains. The area climate is a “four season “experience with lots of blue skies and sunshine filled days. The high/low temperatures for July are 81/42 and for January 30/5. Annual precipitation is estimated to be 13 inches.
The area offers a number of recreation choices from water activities on Blue Mesa Reservoir and area rivers to mountain activities including hiking, backpacking, trail rides and hunting/wildlife viewing in the surrounding National Forest and West Elk Wilderness.
Whatever your pleasure, you will find the day filled with Gunnison’s warm sunny days and deep blue skies amidst its breathtaking mountain beauty.
SUMMARY
Ohio Valley Ranch offers a great opportunity for investment in a larger tract of land in the Ohio Creek valley. The upper Ohio Creek Valley ranks in the top of the remaining unspoiled valleys in Colorado. The amenities of live water, excellent water rights, a host of excellent home sites, Forest Service access, recreation opportunity and the striking snow-capped mountain scenery will always make this an appealing property.