Peak Panorama View Homestead

The Shared Ranch

Ever since Joseph M. White trailed the first herd of cattle into the broad Gunnison Valley in 1871, the area has enjoyed a fabled reputation for some of the finest ranchland in the state. Today, Eagle Ridge Ranch, a Shared Ranch north of Gunnison, maintains that cherished agricultural tradition, along with an equally strong commitment to conservation and recreation. The net result is a unique development perfectly suited to the Gunnison Country lifestyle for generations to come.

Eagle Ridge Ranch is 5,000± deeded acres sweeping across the fertile Ohio Creek Valley only 8 miles north of the university town of Gunnison, Colorado. Operated for decades as a productive cattle and hay ranch, the property is now shared by 15 families who seek to steward the ranch for the maintenance of profitable agriculture, land conservation and enhancement of wildlife values.

Situated at elevations of approximately 8,000 to 9,800 feet, the ranch encompasses rich hay meadow and cottonwood bottomland in its lower reaches, bordered by rolling sagebrush hills and groves of aspen and spruce at higher elevations. Unspoiled views throughout the ranch are farreaching and include the remote West Elk Mountains to the west, the rugged Anthracite Range to the north and Flat Top and Red Mountains to the east.

Amenities available to all owners in Eagle Ridge Ranch are many and varied. Horse lovers will especially appreciate the Equestrian Center with its barn, stables and corrals. A lifetime of horseback riding is available on the ranch itself and the adjacent Gunnison National Forest. The ranch maintains 2,600± acres as a common primitive area open to hunting, horseback riding and hiking. Two wilderness cabins are available in this area, available by reservation to property owners.

Anglers will cherish the private trout fishing on the 3± miles of Ohio Creek that wind through the heart of ranch. This 20-foot wide stream is a major tributary of the Gunnison River, and holds fat brown and rainbow trout, some in the 16- to 20-inch class. Many carefully-engineered structures maximize prime trout habitat, and the stream is a particular delight for dry fly fishing.

As a pioneer in the Shared Ranch concept, Eagle Ridge Ranch has a proven track record of preserving the “Best of the West's” agricultural heritage while allowing for selflimited development of caring landowners committed to common conservation values. If joining such a visionary ranch is appealing to you, contact us at M4 Ranch Group soon. We think that Shared Ranches are the smart development wave of the future, and at Eagle Ridge Ranch you can ride that wave today.

Improvements

Perched atop the ranch, the secluded building site features a meticulously designed mountain home with 4–5 bedrooms, 5 baths, and soaring ceilings, offering unparalleled panoramic views. The residence, distinguished by its remarkable location, seclusion, and stunning vistas, is complemented by a heated three-car garage and extra space for outdoor gear. Whether intended as a second home, weekend getaway, or primary residence, this exquisitely crafted custom home radiates elegance.

Recreation on the Ranch

Equestrian Center

The red barn, also known as the equestrian center, is equipped with stalls and a corral to accommodate several horses owned by the ranch’s residents. Homeowners have the convenience of arranging for their horses to be fed and cared for throughout the year, ensuring their well-being and comfort.

The Cabins

The Longview and Cozy cabins, situated on separate pieces of the ranch, offer serene retreats in the wilderness. Perched high on a mountain near aspen groves, they provide breathtaking views. These comfortable, off-the-grid, two-bedroom houses are accessible by Jeep or OHV in the summer and snowmobile in the winter. They feature a generator for electricity and draw water from a nearby spring. Stocked with housewares, firewood for the wood-burning stove, and games, they ensure a pleasant stay. Equipped with a refrigerator, stove, heat, and hot water from a propane tank, these cabins provide year-round comfort. Prized by hunters, advance reservations are necessary during hunting season, though they remain beautiful in all seasons.

Recreation on the Ranch

Eagle Ridge Ranch encompasses 2,600± acres of private big game hunting within a stunning primitive area, a primarily roadless wilderness. Located in Game Management Unit 54, the ranch is surrounded by areas open to hunting, with limited hunting allowed on its own private land, which sustains thriving wildlife populations. Look for elk, mountain lions, bears, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, mule deer, badgers, and various other wild animals—all are frequently spotted in the area.

Ohio Creek runs through the ranch, providing 3± miles of world-class private fishing to ranch owners. On top of that, the East, Slate, Taylor and Gunnison Rivers, as well as Taylor and Blue Mesa Reservoir, offer more great fishing nearby. Most fishing is catch-and-release, but the stocked pond on the ranch and Blue Mesa Reservoir offer catchand-eat.

Recreation in the area

Eagle Ridge Ranch has more than 20 miles of developed trails and back roads within its borders. These trails and roads are wonderful for hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, cross-country skiing and ATVs. Besides the ranch’s own roads, the local area is a delight for OHVs. The ranch’s hay meadows are very popular in the winter for cross-country skiing. 150 years ago, this part of Colorado was full of thriving mining communities that are now ghost towns, and the roads to them are open in the summer. Explore the Alpine Loop from Lake City over Engineer Pass to Ouray or drive the Cumberland Pass from the little hamlet of Tin Cup (inhabited only in summer; stop for a snack at Frenchy’s Cafe) across to Pitkin and Ohio City, where you can stop and pick up a welcome snack at the local general store. Just a short 45 miles is the town of Crested Butte with winter and summer activities for the whole family.

Climate & Airports

Eagle Ridge Ranch is 5,000± deeded acres sweeping across the fertile Ohio Creek Valley, only 8 miles north of the university town of Gunnison, Colorado. The ranch combines the appeal of the old west with the best of modern land management.

Airports

Surrounding Attributes

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Gunnison, CO

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is in western Colorado, one of the deepest canyons in the world. It surrounds part of a deep, steep-walled gorge carved through Precambrian rock by the Gunnison River. You can take a boat ride with the National Park Service in the depths of the canyon. Amazingly, there was once a narrow-gauge railroad through it, which Mark Twain called the most frightening ride of his life. Roads and trails along the north and south rims have views of the Black Canyon's dramatic drops and the striated Painted Wall cliff. The winding East Portal Road descends to the river. Wildlife includes mule deer, elk and golden eagles.

Blue Mesa Reservoir – Curecanti National Recreation Area

Gunnison, CO

Colorado's largest reservoir and home to the largest Kokanee Salmon population in the Western US. Blue Mesa Reservoir is 330 feet at the deepest point and is made up of 3 basins, 4 boat launches, two marinas and over 100 miles of shoreline. It is truly a magnificent area nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Blue Mesa is a recreationalist’s dream. Options for play include sailing, power boating, fishing, and water skiing. Windsurfing is popular among those looking to get a workout on the water.

Crested Butte/ MT. Crested Butte

Colorado

Authentic, open and free of crowds, Crested Butte is a quaint 1880s mining town, a registered national historic district and the celebrated wildflower capital of Colorado. Known as Colorado’s last great ski town, a great year-round mountain destination that offers gorgeous scenery, and rich history. Crested Butte Mountain Resort has expansive and diverse terrain across more than 1,500 skiable acres and offers terrain suitable for any ability type. Crested Butte Mountain Resort is in southwest Colorado, within the Gunnison National Forest and the Elk Mountain Range. The resort town of Mt. Crested Butte is about three miles from the historic mining town of Crested Butte.

In summer, Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte are the place to enjoy all of Colorado’s outdoor recreational activities: epic mountain biking (there’s more than 750 miles of trails to choose from!), hiking in alpine and aspen forests, fishing in pristine rivers, lakes and streams, and white water rafting and kayaking in class II–IV rapids.

Monarch Mountain Ski Area Salida, Colorado

An authentic Colorado ski resort with high elevations, abundant snowfall, gorgeous scenery and excellent terrain. The ski area is situated high along the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range within the San Isabel National Forest near the towns of Salida, Buena Vista and Gunnison. The mountain sports 54 trails, two terrain parks, and an extreme terrain area called Mirkwood.