MERRIMAN FAMILY RANCH
Colorado, La Plata County, Durango/Bayfield
MERRIMAN FAMILY RANCH
LOCATION AND AREA
In size, scale, and quality this meticulously maintained Pine River Valley ranch is a rare opportunity for lovers of horses, cattle and wildlife. A veritable playground for children of all ages. The 100 acres contains 5 acres for the house, barns, a huge riding/roping arena and separate corral; 40 acres is cross fenced into separate mechanically irrigated hay meadows; 15 acres of interlinked mechanically irrigated pastures allow livestock to graze shaded by old growth pine trees without interfering with the hay meadows. Water rights for irrigation are more than sufficient even in dry years. The back 40 acres is rolling treed acreage interspersed with meadows and trails for riding, hiking and exploring. It is also habitat for deer, elk, wild turkeys and even a rare peacock.
The ranch is located just 5 minutes from Bayfield and 25 minutes east of Durango in the Pine River Valley on the most desirable north side of US HWY 160 where there are abundant pines and water. Access from Durango is east on US Highway 160, north on CR 502 to the intersection with CR 505, ¼ mile on left side of CR 505. Roads are paved except for the last ¼-mile of a county-maintained gravel road. CR 505 is a two-mile dead-end road, and the properties along this road enjoy quiet privacy with minimum traffic. The Pine River Valley is known for its beautiful ranches, and much of it is protected with conservation easements. The lushness of the valley and the nature of the topography make it a wildlife mecca.
The 3,300 SF ranch house is shaded by a century old willow tree and old growth pine trees. A massive deck overlooks a large park-like yard shaded by apple and maple trees. The deck and yard are a perfect entertainment venue with plenty of room for croquet, badminton, horse shoes and other family activities. The ground floor contains a greatroom, library, dining area with entertainment bar, kitchen and the master bedroom. Two guest suites are on the upper level. The main barn has a bunk room, 9 stalls, wash rack, tack room and a feed room. On the upper level there is a game room and a two-bedroom guest apartment.
Many of the neighbors ride and fish together, enjoying contiguous properties and neighborhood friends. There are hundreds of miles of riding trails in the National Forest and the Weminuche wilderness located approximately 10 miles from the ranch. Bayfield, Colorado is situated in the eastern part of La Plata County in southwestern Colorado. It lies approximately 18 miles east of Durango and 50 miles west of Pagosa Springs on Highway 160. The San Juan Mountain range is located to the east and the La Plata Mountains loom to the west. For many, Bayfield serves as a bedroom community for Durango and offers convenient shopping and multiple recreational opportunities, including boating and fishing
at Vallecito Lake, fly-fishing on the Los Pinos River, hiking, biking and other pursuits. Bayfield’s climate boasts moderate temperatures and low humidity. Durango is a town of rural mountain character and charm, yet has many big city conveniences including a new hospital, hotels, shopping, restaurants, golf courses and a four-year college. It is said that the number of restaurants per capita is the highest in the West. Located 6,512 ft. above sea level, Durango is one of the most varied and picturesque of all the Rocky Mountain towns. Enjoying over 300 days of sunshine each year, the comfortable summer temperatures reach the upper 80s, while the autumn days are clear, cool, and full of vibrant foliage colors. Crisp and sunny winter days feature abundant light powder snow. The La Plata County area that includes Durango and Bayfield has a population of 44,000. La Plata County Airport is 10 minutes from the ranch and has daily commercial air service to Denver, Albuquerque and Phoenix, with seasonal service from Houston, Los Angeles and Chicago with facilities for full service general aviation. The ranch is approximately 180 miles from Grand Junction, 200 miles from Albuquerque and around 285 miles from Denver and Colorado Springs. Durango is the home of Fort Lewis College, a 4-year Liberal Arts school with an enrollment of 4500 students. It is probably best known for the Business School, as well as its Archeology School.
PROPERTY DETAILS This property has the perfect mix of amenities on the right amount of acreage to make it very manageable while providing for maximum privacy and enjoyment. The layout of the ranch allows for an easily manageable operation for horses and/or cattle. The owner can raise hay for his/her own animals and sell the excess or if the operation is seasonal, sell all of the hay. Alternatively, one can lease the meadows for cattle grazing or the owner can run his/her own feeder steers for the market.
Grounds • Meticulous, turnkey 100-acre equestrian ranch;
equipment negotiable • Excellent conservation easement potential • Beautiful landscaping around main residence with giant old growth pine trees and a massive willow tree shade the house, and there are apple and aspen trees; 6-foot Dogwood bushes line the fenced yard for great privacy; along with a ¼-acre lush lawn with in-ground sprinkler system on timer • There is a massive deck on the north side of the house that overlooks the yard, which is perfect for entertaining family and friends • Thai antique ironwood freestanding wagon wheel bar • Great irrigation water—1 cubic ft of water irrigates approximately 40 acres. (1 cubic ft. is enough to irrigate 80 acres); water rights to Sullivan ditch • Ditch/creek runs through property • Lush hay meadows lined with pine trees • Two side-rolls, one pivot and many K-lines irrigate meadows/pastures • Treed and gently sloping areas are interspersed with grazing meadows
• Horse trails throughout the property rising to an elevation of approximately 7,200'
• 3,500 70 lbs. bales from meadows of alfalfa and grass
(certified weed free) • Fishing and swimming pond—15' deep, clay lined • Cross fenced on front 60 acres; 1 mile of wood rail fence and 1 mile of wire fence with gates to enter pastures and meadows • Riding arena (approx. 280 x 180) with 2 chutes and holding pens (large enough for team roping events). • Hot walker next to riding arena • Double entrance horse barn: 9 stalls, tack room has built-in shelving and 10 saddle prongs with cement floor; washing station with hot and cold water; separate varmint proof feed room; washer and dryer for blankets, etc. • Horse barn has bunk room with ¾ bath, built–in shelving; separate room for washer/dryer; rustic pool/ game room upstairs with wet bar and fridge, along with a guest apartment with 2 bedrooms and remodeled kitchen/dining area; and beautiful views to meadows and mountains • Separate large hay and equipment storage barn (this is many stalled, and was used as a breeding barn in a previous life) • Two car detached garage with well house and work benches • Two movable dog kennels • Buried propane tank 1,000 gal for the residence and main barn • Cistern; 1,000 gal • Graveled driveways • Separate entrance to the equestrian barns and arena areas
MAIN RESIDENCE General Home Features • 3,300 SF, 3 bedroom, 3½ bath home • Cedar wood siding on outside of house • Propanel roof; great for snow melt • Decks are solid redwood planks • Security system • Surround sound throughout first level and patio • Hot water (propane) radiant in-floor heating;
baseboard hot water heating on second floor, 4 separate zones • All French double doors have window panes and retractable screens • Great air circulation and cross ventilation throughout • Oak floors, carpet (in the Master bedroom) & tile • Ceiling fans throughout • Ample storage • Recessed lighting throughout; most on dimmer switches • Wired for satellite TV and internet
Great Room • Large river rock wood-burning fireplace with gas
starter; Sandstone hearth and mantle • 12 ft. vaulted tongue and groove ceilings with exposed beams • Cedar siding on outside • French double door access to front entry covered deck • Double-hung wood windows on all sides with swag window treatments • Carpet
Dining Room • Extra-large separate dining area • Wide plank wood flooring • Double French doors open out to patio • Lots of windows and light • Sunken bar by dining room with plentiful bar seating; wet bar
• Double sided gas fireplace; lighted art niches on either side • Built-in wine cooler; 2 temperature capacity • Built-in cupboards and drawers
Office/Library • Large office with abundant windows looking out to
meadows • French double doors open to side deck/porch • Built-in bookshelves and TV alcove, built-in drawers
Kitchen • Hickory cabinets in kitchen with under counter lighting • Double French doors open to shaded Flagstone patio • Two-sided gas fireplace between kitchen and dining room • Ample storage; Lazy-Susan cupboards in corners and pull-out selves • Cookbook shelf corner • Center island with stove; Viking stainless steel range with griddle and automatic lift-up hood exhaust vent • Ceramic tile countertops; backsplash accent • Walk-in pantry • Double stainless-steel sink • Convection/microwave • Sub-Zero side-by-side freezer/ fridge • Powder room off kitchen with freestanding sink • Hardwood floors
Laundry Room • Mudroom entry from garage and back patio; Hickory cabinets for plenty of storage; washer/dryer; sink
• Raised up storage bench • Coat closet
Master Suite and Bath • Built-in bookshelves and cupboards • Master walk-in closet, custom shelving • Flat panel TV • Lots of windows • Sitting area • Double French doors open to private patio; single door to front deck area
• Sauna and steam shower; steam on a timed unit; tile
shower accents with wall niches • Built-in custom medicine cabinets • Double sinks with tile counters; pullout cabinets; tile backsplash accents • Linen closet with built-in cupboards • Carpeted
SECOND FLOOR Wood staircase to second floor Guest Bedroom 1 and ensuite bath • Double French doors open to outside Romeo and Juliet balcony • Raised ceiling • Walk-in closet with built-in shelves and lots of storage • Storage closet off private full bathroom with built-in cupboards • Carpeted
Guest Bedroom 2 and Ensuite Bath • Plenty of windows with beautiful views • Big double closet with lighted art niches • Natural lighting in private full bathroom • Tile sink and separate bathtub/shower • Carpeted
WILDLIFE AND RECREATION The property has an ideal combination of open meadows, pine woodlands, trails and wildlife habitat, creating a very private setting that supports a myriad of activities. The property has exceptional equestrian facilities and riding terrain, and the ranch offers great trails and topography for hiking and climbing. The ranch is also home to an array of wildlife. Commonly seen are elk, mule deer, wild turkey, coyote, great horned owls and eagles along with many other small animals and song birds. Occasionally, you may even see a black bear crossing the field. The ranch has a well-maintained irrigation ditch and pond which support the wildlife in the area and provide an opportunity
for fishing. For a complete fishing experience, the Pine River, along with Lemon and Vallecito Reservoirs, provide wonderful destinations, just minutes from the ranch. Also, the Animas and Florida Rivers are nearby. Fall is a special time when deer and wild turkey by the dozens frolic in the meadow south of the house. Trophy bucks, does and turkeys are common on the ranch. The National Forest as well as the Weminuche Wilderness, with hundreds of miles of riding, are approximately 15 minutes east or 45 minutes north of the ranch. For downhill skiing, Purgatory Resort is a 40-minute drive
from the ranch, while Wolf Creek Ski Area is an hour and 20 minutes away. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow-mobiling are also available throughout the area and on the ranch. Summertime is filled with opportunities for riding, hiking, fishing, boating, golfing and visiting the local Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners National Monument. Excellent golf can be found at Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Hillcrest Community Club, the private Glacier Club (memberships available), and a top-rated public course at PiĂąon Hills in Farmington, NM (approximately 40 miles).
MERRIMAN FAMILY RANCH
Colorado, La Plata County, Durango/Bayfield Offered at $2,495,000
100 meticulously groomed acres, with lush, certified weed-free meadows Completely remodeled 3,300 SF home Riding/roping arena with 9-stall barn, complete with guest apartment and bunk room, plus another breeding barn Located in the Pine River Valley, 5 minutes from Bayfield and 25 minutes from Durango Tom Morse 970.769.8989
tom@legacypropertieswestsir.com
Zach Morse 970.391.2600
zach@legacypropertieswestsir.com Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty legacypropertieswestsir.com This property is offered by Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty, LLC, Tom and Zach Morse, Brokers. All information provided by Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty, LLC or its sales representatives in connection with this property was acquired from sources deemed reliable, however, we do not warrant its accuracy or completeness and any users of such information waive any claims related thereto. Legacy Properties West Sotheby’s International Realty, LLC recommends that every item of interest to the purchaser (i.e. issues regarding title, water, minerals, survey, zoning, permits, land use regulations and other applicable laws, and any other issues) be independently verified by the purchaser’s attorney.
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