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Alder - #165869

$1,150,000

Location

This rare Ruby River offering is located approximately 30 miles South of Alder, Montana in Madison County and is accessed by paved Highway 287 and graveled county maintained road. Sheridan located 12 miles North of Alder is the nearest community which has typical small town services including schools (K-12), medical clinic, county hospital and various commercial enterprises. The small town of Alder provides limited services including a school (K-8), gas station & convenience store combination, restaurants, motel and taverns.

Acreage

The Ruby River Forest Reserve consists of two tracts which total 158.24 deeded acres recently surveyed and described in Book 7, Page 2076 of Madison County Surveys. This would be the last large private holding in the Upper Ruby Valley which is bound by National Forest. The offering includes more than a half mile of both side of the famed Ruby River in addition to Lazyman and Badger Creeks which bisect the property.

Recreational Opportunities

This is truly an angler’s paradise with some of the best fishing available on the Ruby River and just a short drive to the Madison, Big Hole, and Beaverhead Rivers. In addition, the ranch is surrounded by National Forest service to guarantee the best of big game hunting as well as privacy.

Fishing:

The current owners have rested the property for the last year but it has traditionally been used for summer grazing and also leased to local fishing guide services for rod fees. The Ruby River is considered one of the Montana’s premier “Blue ribbon” trout streams and fishing this stretch of the Ruby is superb. The most avid fly fisherman can attest to the abundance and variety of trout in this area including the recently introduced rare arctic grayling. The offering has undergone a streambed restoration project which has been developed to improve grayling spawning on Lazyman Creek which feeds into the Ruby River. This government grant helped develop spawning pools and protected the riparian areas to enhance the fishery. There was also some bank stabilization, tree planning and irrigation system improvements completed with these grant monies.

Hunting:

Open grassy meadows are bordered by cottonwoods and willow groves which provide natural habitat for an abundance of wildlife. It is not uncommon to see elk, deer, moose, bear and many other animal and bird species throughout the year.

Access

The property is surrounded by National Forest land with the Snowcrest, and Gravelly Mountains on the boundaries and the Greenhorn, Ruby and Tobacco Root Ranges in the vista. Access if via County maintained road and Forest Service road which courses on the East boundary of the property. This road is maintained throughout the winter within approximately 1 1/2 miles of the property during the winter months. If you were to make this your year round retreat, you would most likely have to have a snow plow for the last mile and half. If winters are mild, you may be able to use 4-wheel drive access.

Community

The nearby rural communities of Alder and Sheridan offer small town amenities and commercial facilities including schools (K-12), medical facilities, and paved County maintained airport is located proximate to Sheridan. Dillon is home of Western Montana College and offers expanded medical and commercial enterprise. Both Bozeman, home of Montana State University (2000 census pop. 30,723) and Butte (pop 33,000) are within a two hour drive and provide expanded commercial, institutional and social amenities including international airports.

Description of the land

The terrain varies from fringes of timber to the lower lush meadows with cottonwoods and willows for both livestock and wildlife shelter. Badger Creek, on the North end of the property is lined with Aspens and has a rich riparian area which supports many species of wildlife. Lazyman Creek on the Southern boundary was the site for the Future Fisheries grant work which was completed in 2008 for grayling habitat.

Elevation, Precipitation, and Climate

The Ruby Valley area average annual precipitation is about 14 inches, average annual temperature is around 40 degrees F. Since this is in the upper reaches of the Ruby, you can expect to see your growing season decrease but your average precipitation will increase with higher altitudes.

Natural Water Resources

The Ruby River Forest Reserve is the last large in-holding (surrounded by National Forest) in the Upper Ruby drainage and it is rare to find Ruby River frontage fore sale. These offerings don’t come along very often and to the fly fishing aficionado who has paid attention to the real estate market in the Ruby Valley, take note that quality river properties which have not sold several times during the past 10 years are rare. Don’t miss the opportunity to own this highly desirable fly fishing property.

Water Rights

There are water rights which are associated with the acreage from both the Ruby River and Lazyman Creek. A new diversion and efficient irrigation system has been completed with the grant monies associated with the grayling project completed in 2008. Water right abstracts are available at the listing office upon request.

Mineral Rights

The Seller will convey the property without reservation; however, no representations are made as the quantity or quality of any appurtenant mineral or other subsurface rights.

Utilities and Services

Rarely do you find a property this remote which has both phone and electricity available. There is a old homestead cabin on the property which is no longer habitable but there was electrical service to this cabin. There are a number of building sites which are proximate to power. The logs in the homestead cabin would have some salvage value.

Price

$1,150,000

Brokers Comments

The property could be conveyed in two separate parcels, which is a distinct advantage to the buyer seeking tax benefits from a conservation easement or for two buyers who want to boundary adjust for individual ownership. A buyer may also be able to assume a Contract for Deed, OAC, which is currently associated with the property.

Contact Listing Agent for Exact Legal Description

Michelle Van Dyke, Broker
Prudential Montana Real Estate
P.O. Box 400
Twin Bridges, MT 59754
406 596-0805 cell
406 684-5686 office