LandQuest E-Brochure Horsethief Creek Ranch - “Mountain Valley Ranch”

BUYING

Recommended Links

>Home>>Buy >>Listing

<< Return to search list

Horsethief Creek Ranch - “Mountain Valley Ranch” - Invermere, BC

“The most scenic & storied wilderness ranch I have ever seen”! Have it all ... almost 4,700 acres packed full of pure awesomeness: open meadows, miles of trails, numerous small & large creeks, extensive timber, fully fenced & cross fenced, charming log cabin, wildlife.

Size:

4,686 acres

Area:

KOOTENAYS

Price:

NEW PRICE $4,950,000

Listing Agent:

Matt Cameron - matt@landquest.com


	Description :		With so many amazing attributes & unique features (both geographic and historical) this wilderness ranch is best described in bullet points: 4,686 acres on 3 titles (1) 247.64 acres; (2) 1996.18 acres; and (3) 2441.86 acres Most of the property borders crown land with some of the most amazing hiking and wilderness trail exploring available in BC – horseback, ATV & foot trails some that date back over a 100 years! Many of the geographic names in the area have ties in one way or the other to this property. The land itself is all very accessible with roadways and trails; it will take years to fully explore and appreciate what a gem this place really is. Numerous meadows have been cleared and seeded and are currently used for grazing cattle. The entire property is fenced and cross fenced There is lots of water on the property: springs & water rights on Horsethief, Haultain & Danielle Creeks Over 20 kms of frontage on Horsethief Creek alone (not considering the fact much of the property fronts Horsethief Creek on two sides. There is also a scenic and powerful waterfall on Horsethief Creek - be sure to beach the rafts and kayaks before reaching this monster! An extensive timber supply exists – Mostly Douglas Fir with some stands of Lodge Pole Pine, Spruce and Larch. Enjoy endless scenic vistas ... Intriguing and very picturesque physical landscapes such as the Hoodoos (over a km of these unique rock formations exist on the eastern section of the property, one of the more beautiful look-offs is located here with views to the Rocky Mountains. Some exploration ideas ... Travel via ATV through the property and then up Bruce Creek & Paradise Mine trail to Mt Nelson then link up with the Springs Trail and descend down to Panorama Mountain Resort (less than 10 km as the crow flies to the south), or how about driving down the scenic valley to the end of Horsethief Creek Road, hike up to alpine meadows and the famous and very special Lake of the Hanging Glaciers (read history section for ties to this property), or try ski touring the one of many glaciers, downhill ski the nearby glaciers (Farnham & Jumbo Glaciers) in summer as the Canadian National ski team has, explore old mine sites, fish / fly fish mountain creeks on the property, view soaring rocky peaks, turquoise glacial lakes ... this property, & what it offers can only be described as pure awesomeness! The extremely scenic and popular climbing and ski traverse site of Starbird Ridge is located directly North West (4 kms from the property). Have a look at the pictures to see images of why this area is so special or email me and I will send a link via Google earth with the property lines drawn in for you to explore the area in more detail. A charming log cabin built in 1996 (2BR + loft) is located on the smaller 248 acre piece, the cabin offers all the comforts one would ever need, septic, water, 2 BR plus loft, large deck, wood burning fire place, gas furnace, generator & stunning views from the large deck. Rich in wild life with healthy black and grizzly bear populations, elk, caribou, deer, moose Virtually every square inch of the property has stunning alpine vistas Horsethief Creek Road FSR runs the length of the property and continues onto a trailhead leading to the Lake of the Hanging Glaciers. The Horsethief Creek also meanders throughout the entire length of the property. Mantracker filmed an episode that traversed from west to east through the property and onto another ... Mantracker got his man with the help of a local guide! The property is also very rich in history is an understatement, an old bustling mining camp used to exist on & around the property servicing the Ptarmigan Mine site among others. In the early 1900’s, we are told this property was known as the Mountain Valley Ranch owned by Thomas Starbird a famous mountaineer, outdoor enthusiast, miner & respected mason; his old house remains are on the property - more details on Thomas Starbird below in History. The property is not in the ALR The much debated jumbo resort proposal is 20 km SW of the property The current zoning bylaws allow subdivision to a min of approx 148 acres. I anticipate a quarter sections in this area to easily fetch $450,000 - You would be looking at gross revenue of over 14.4 million if this route were feasible or – perhaps set up a wilderness ranch – or better yet keep it all for yourself ! or any combination of the above. The property also has a few revenue streams (1) AXOR (easement for proposed power line along south perimeter) paying $15,000 annually; (2) BC Hydro $1,000 annually until 2014; (3) BC Hydro $25,421 one time timber payment (Sept. 2011); (4) Grazing lease with local rancher $4,755 rec'd for 2010; and (5) X-mas trees $1,626 rec'd for 2010 With these attributes, I can see this trophy property as a premier destination resort in Western Canada – ideal as the ultimate dude ranch combining its intriguing history & roots as a former guest ranch operation offering mountain and adventure tours in the early 1900’s with a modern outdoor adventure resort, captivating tourists with the scenic beauty of the valley and Purcell Mountains. The extensive trail networks on and leading off the property & jaw dropping vistas will easily attract visitors from around the world and for heli-skiing/hiking I cannot imagine a better location to be based out of. Another angle could be subdivision into lots 150 acre (or larger) pieces (zoning allows). Of course there are more variables for one to explore than just the zoning and we have more info on some of these requirements, but on the surface the property seems ripe for subdivision – call for more details. Or for the very lucky & fortunate few, keep it all for yourself ! Properties like this come up for sale once in a lifetime, call for more details and set up a private viewing. The entire property boundary has been GPS marked, we can set out and explore this wilderness ranch property and find out exactly what this opportunity is all about. The possibilities are endless and the opportunity truly unique. If you have the dollars, appreciate and understand quality land, and are looking for a sound investment into a very limited resource, then this is well worth a look.

	Location :		Horsethief Creek Road - Invermere, BC

	Access :		For a detailed private tour please contact the listing agent matt@landquest.com / 604-694-7628. The roads are maintained until about the last 2 km, from here the owner would be responsible for snow clearing. At present there is no logging in area, if this were to pick up the roads would be more maintained in winter.

	Improvements :		Extensive fencing and cross fencing 1996 log cabin with 2 BR plus loft and large deck

	Services :		Generator, water rights on Horsethief, Haultain & Danielle Creeks (water for cabin), numerous springs on property, 2 propane tanks that heat the cabin (leased for $140/year each) - there is a forced air gas furnace in cabin that runs when the generator is running and a separate space heater when no one is there, septic, you can get cell service on a lot of the property.

	Recreation :		Second to none (see description & area info)

	Area Data :		The Purcell Mountains are a mountain range in southeastern BC, Canada, located on the west side of the Rocky Mountain Trench in the area of the Columbia Valley, and on the east side of the valley of Kootenay Lake and the Duncan River. There are over 50 peaks above 10,000 feet in elevation. A few of the attractions in the Purcells & immediate area are listed below: Lake of the Hanging Glaciers (also known as Lake Maye): This is a lovely alpine lake at 7000 ft in a basin below Jumbo glacier. The hike starts at the end of Horsethief Creek Rd, the hike takes around 3 hrs to reach the lake. The lake is very scenic with many floating icebergs. Numerous more advanced hikes & climbs are possible from here. CLICK HERE for more info Panorama Mountain Village: World class ski, ride & golf resort. CLICK HERE for more info Heli-skiing/Cat-skiing: Several lodges are located in the area, operated by Canadian Mountain Holidays among several other private companies Purcell Wilderness Conservancy: The Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park encompasses almost 200,000 ha (500,000 acres) of pristine wilderness. The area has been almost entirely undisturbed by the roading, logging, and mineral exploration that has impacted much of the Kootenay Rockies Region. In fact, the Purcell Wilderness is one of the largest intact ecosystems still remaining in southeastern BC. CLICK HERE for more info Starbird Ridge: a popular hiking, ski traverse and climbing area just north of the property. CLICK HERE for more info Welsh Creek Trail: This is a popular, fairly steep summer hiking trail to a scenic lake and alpine route up towards he Starbird Ridge - north of the property Jumbo Glacier: Jumbo Glacier Resort is a proposed year round ski resort located at the foot of Jumbo Mountain & Jumbo Glacier -- 55 km west of Invermere, British Columbia. Mt. Nelson / Bruce Creek & Paradise Basin Trail: Access Mt Nelson from Bruce Creek trail on the property, many have taken ATV’s right up to the summit, or veer off course and follow springs creek to the Paradise Basin Trail and trek down to Panorama mountain village. CLICK HERE for more info

	History :		MOUNTAIN VALLEY RANCH “A Resort of High Standard. Always in Season” The property was once a well known guest ranch owned and operated by Thomas Starbird a famous mountaineer, outdoor enthusiast, miner and respected mason. Thomas Starbird was born in Maine and lived his boyhood in Massachusetts. Mining brought him to the Valley and Horsethief Creek, he eventually became the manager of the well known Ptarmigan Mine owned by former Tiffany’s Co. Chief Designer. In 1904 Starbird purchased a ranch on Horsethief Creek, and soon labeled it the Mountain Valley Ranch (it is my understanding it was this ranch as his old home site is on the property). In the early years, it was the gathering place for packers taking supplies to the mines in the area. In 1910, he changed his ranch to a hunting and tourist guest ranch. From there he took his guests on pack trips to the Lake of the Hanging Glacier (first named after his wife Lake Maye) and to the head of Horsethief Creek. The Ranch became very popular with visitors enjoying the outdoors and hiking. In a letter to B.G. Hamilton dated March 14, 1913, CLICK HERE to see what Mr. Starbird writes. For details on George P. Farnham's ties to the property (he was Tiffany’s chief designer in the late 1800’s & early 1900’s) and the Ptarmigan Mine & Historic Ptarmigan Vase recently bought by the National Gallery of Canada for $660,000 CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE

	Zoning :		A-1 (Rural Resource) Lot Size: minimum 148.5 acres Permitted Uses: Single Family Dwelling, Agricultural, Kennel, Rural Retreat, Guest Ranch Equestrian Centre, Wildland Use, Sawmill, Silviculture Practices, Wireless Communication Facility. Contact agent or the Planning of at the Regional District of the East Kootenays (RDEK) for full list of allowable uses

	Legal :		1. DL: 4352; LD: Kootenay (26); Narrative: Except Plan NEP20423, EXCEPT BLK A PID 013-908-456 2. Pl: X32; DL: 4596; LD: Kootenay (26); Narrative: Subsidy Lot 17, Except Plan NEP19230 PID 013-908-481 3. Pl: X32; DL: 4596; LD: Kootenay (26); Narrative: Subsidy Lot 103, Except Plan NEP20423 PID 012-182-761

	Taxes :		For all 3 titles: $2,145 (2010)

	Listing # :		11252