Big Stick Ranch

OPPORTUNITY
With no existing improvements, Big Stick Ranch serves as a true blank slate for its next owner. This land could be developed into a premier hunting property close to Durango, the new owner could complete with a cabin and corrals, transform this land into a private residence offering country living with city access, or craft this land into a cool-climate mountain retreat for those escaping hotter regions like Texas or Arizona.

HUNTING AND RECREATION
Located in Game Management Unit 74, hunting has been the primary focus on the Big Stick Ranch, along with some cattle grazing. And the location of the ranch is prime for that, being located on a reach of USFS that is very difficult to get to unless from this property! The game population in the area (the ranch, USFS, BLM and SWA) includes Bear, Deer, Dusky (blue) grouse, Elk, Rabbit, Squirrel, & Turkey. The property currently leases to a hunting outfitter on a year-to-year basis.

With almost a mile of San Juan National Forest boundary on the north, and 1-mile of boundary with BLM on the south, the property provides abundant access for hunting, horseback riding, and other recreational pursuits on the surrounding government lands. The north accesses over 165,000-acres of USFS with a two-track trail directly to the forest from the property.

The BLM, 280 acres on the south border, is itself adjacent to a 2-mile border with Perkins Peak State Wildlife Area, the total acreage of that SWA is 6,450-acres, managed for hunting only. Because it is a winter range for deer & elk it is closed to the public December through April. Other times it can be accessed by the public for hunting, but only if they have a valid Hunting or fishing license or State Wildlife Area (SWA) pass.

LOCATION
The ranch is located at the base of the La Plata Mountains with clear in-your-face views of Baldy Peak (10,850’), Silver Mountain (12,388’), Deadwood Mountain (12,274’), and Hesperus Mountain (13,232’), SO you will never lack views!

ACREAGE AND DESCRIPTION
The property itself is at elevations ranging from 8,400’ to 9,260’ and is easiest described as being two different parts, each about 300 acres.  The vegetation across the property consists of Gambel Oak, Serviceberry, Choke Cherry, Aspen, Douglas Fir, and Spruce. There is a north facing slope with a high plateau on top, that runs across the entire southern border, about 600 feet higher than the meadows. That north facing slope is covered with aspen and evergreens, serviceberry and chokecherry. The aspen forests are old-growth aspen, large and tall, with many dead of age. However, the aspen growing up after them is already tall and strong and bursting out all over.  The forest is very healthy, and now with the young aspen coming on it continues to be that way.

The western 300 acres is open meadows bordered by the high ridge, and the forest, largely accessible by side x side, with a great access to the USFS. 

The eastern 300 is much more wild and rugged, with no vehicular access carved into it, but traversed by significant game trails, mostly through aspen forest and Gambel Oak as they roam the side hills and benches.

WATER
While the property has no water rights, it has a spring & some water tanks that support the wildlife.  There are currently no wells on the property, as there was no need because of no structures, but properties in that area and north of Hwy 160 like the ranch, do show good wells, reasonable depths and good production based on the information at the Division of Water Resources.

LOCALE
Durango is the cultural and recreational hub of southwestern Colorado. Known world-wide for its Durango – Silverton narrow gage railroad, its historic downtown (with all the restaurants, brewpubs, watering holes, shopping, historical buildings and hotels, museums and art), its close proximity to Mesa Verde, and its access to all the mountain recreation you could want in the San Juan Mountains and on the Animas River. It is certainly home to numerous trails for horseback riding, hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing at Purgatory Resort and fishing on the river and camping.

The area is also known for its proximity to Mesa Verde and multiple national monuments; the Canyon of the Ancients; Chimney Rock National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument.

And to get there is relatively easy and on purpose. It is a 25-minute drive to the Durango-La Plata County Airport – where you find a 9,201 ft. paved runway, full-service aviation facility offering private and daily commercial carrier service. 

SUMMARY
Here is the place at the end of the road, and against the forest, to build your legacy ranch close to Durango; In an area that supports that kind of improvement. No need to tear anything down. Go to the drawing board,  drill some wells, build a barn, run some horses, hunt that land, and live in a house of your dreams, and once in a while dash into town.  It’s all here for you to build your vision.