SOLD: Keating Valley River Ranch | Fay Ranches

KEATING VALLEY RIVER RANCH

Baker City, Oregon

$2,900,000 | 1,302± Acres

Keating Valley River Ranch | Baker City, Oregon

INTRODUCTION

The Keating Valley River Ranch is in a picturesque valley at an elevation of 2,700± feet. The Powder River flows through the ranch from west to east, creating enviable bird-hunting habitat and ideal conditions for cattle. The rolling hills of sagebrush break out into lush grass and river drainage that makes up the Keating Valley.

The ranch is 20 minutes east of Baker City, Oregon, and features a 1,280 square foot two-bedroom/twobathroom home on the sun-drenched southern-facing hillside and takes in the impressive views to the south and the west—a serene and tranquil setting to say the least.

The ranch acreage totals 1,302± deeded acres, along with another 1,985± acres of grazing leases, located right out the gate on the north border of the ranch. The views are inspiring, with the Eagle Cap Wilderness creating the backdrop to the north and the Whitman National Forest six miles from the ranch. This is a working ranch, but when the work ends, the recreation can begin. The ranch supports impressive shooting action for pheasants, chukar, and quail scattered throughout the thousands of acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. The ranch and the surrounding area support mule deer, antelope, and elk that migrate out of the high country and end up in the sagebrush steeps. There are also several predators and many more small game species that inhabit the area.

The working aspect of the ranch is in excellent shape, and the approximate 300± acres of irrigated hay fields, pastures, and infrastructure will support a cattle herd of 250 head along with horses. You will be impressed!

QUICK FACTS

• 1,302± deeded acres

• 1,985± acres grazing lease out the gate, 481 Animal Unit Months (AUMs)

• 1,280 square foot home, 2 bed/2 bath with a double garage

• Powder River flowing through the ranch

• 300± acres of irrigation and cutting approximately 250± tons of grass hay

• 250 head operation

• 60-foot x 100-foot metal hay cover

• Calving barn and corrals

• 20 minutes east of Baker City, Oregon

• Excellent pheasant hunting

• 3 deer and 3 elk landowner tags

Keating Valley River Ranch

Baker City, Oregon

ACREAGE

Rolling sagebrush hills form the vast area around the ranch, but the wide open river valley is ideal for wildlife and cattle. Water is the essential ingredient, and the owners have used it wisely in creating a lush oasis forming much of the ranch.

• 1,302± deeded acres

• 1,985± acres of grazing leases

• Approximately 300± acres are irrigated

• Three wheel-lines and flood

• Good fencing with cross-fences

• 0.5± miles of Powder River stream bank

• Cranston Canal and Perkins Ditch flow through the ranch

SCENIC VISTAS

To the west, the Elk Horn Mountains loom in the distance. To the north, the Eagle Cap Wilderness within the Whitman National Forest is a wonderful mountain range and is truly a gem for high mountain hiking and hunting, along with awe-inspiring high mountain lakes and streams.

IMPROVEMENTS

The home setting is warm and inviting, with south-facing views overlooking the ranch and the wide open spaces beyond.

• 1,280 square feet with a double garage attached

• Two bed and two bath

• Open floor plan

• Built in 1970, and improvements have been made

• 60 foot x 100 foot steel hay storage

• Calving barn

RECREATION

The horseback riding from the ranch leads into thousands of acres of BLM land, with endless riding and exploring.

10 Keating Valley River Ranch | Baker City, Oregon

F ishing

Close by to the northwest is the Thief Valley Reservoir, and just below the dam in the tail waters can be good fishing. The Powder River itself can be fished on the upper reaches and as it flows into Brownlee Reservoir, 45 minutes from the ranch. As the Powder River comes through the ranch, there are fish, but it is not much of a fishery.

Thief Valley Reservoir

Powder River

Brownlee Reservoir

Keating Valley River Ranch

Pheasant hunting on the ranch is a coveted experience with wild birds and plenty of divergent habitat to work the dogs. The landowner tags include three mule deer and three elk tags. The ranch is in hunting unit #63, Keating, of which 58% of the land is in public ownership. A variety of hunts start with archery season in September to October, followed by gun season in November.

INCOME OPPORTUNITY

Ranching along with a hunting lease can create extra income.

• 250 head operation

• 250 tons of hay, cutting one time

• Hunting lease

AREA HISTORY

Keating was named after a former British Sailor who became an early settler of the valley, “Uncle Tom Keating.” A spur road off the Oregon Trail came down into the Power River and homesteaders found a place they found a place they could call home. What many areas of the west needed to thrive was water. With the creation of the Thief Valley Reservoir in the upper valley, finished in 1929, ditches were built, and water was able to be used in the late summer to keep the valley’s productivity within reach of making a go of it. The main growth happened to the west following the railroad, but the Keating Valley was a vital agriculture producer for the area.

CLIMATE

Climate information courtesy of http://www.city-data.com/city/Baker-City-Oregon.html

The area is relatively moderate, with lots of sunshine during the summer months, and typically after mid-June, there is not much in the way of rain until the end of August. You will have the occasional thunderstorm but expect lots of sunshine. Temperatures in the summer average 88 degrees, with winter temperatures in the 20 to 25 degrees. Snow will accumulate, but the sun takes care of it fairly quickly on the southern-facing slopes. The average precipitation for the area is 15 inches per year.

WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS

The ranch has approximately 300± acres of water rights using wheel lines and flood irrigation. At present, the ranch is cutting a portion of the irrigated land once and letting it come back for pasture. Cranston Canal and Perkins Ditch are on the property. One-half mile of the Powder River flows through the ranch.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

Keating Valley River Ranch | Baker City, Oregon

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

There are no Conservation Easements encumbering the ranch.

Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.

LOCATION

The ranch is located 14 miles northeast of Baker City, Oregon, on a paved road, Route 86. Keating is a small unincorporated town that consists of a few homes and still has a small elementary school, serving K-6. Baker City (population 10,170) is the economic driver of the region along with good shopping and restaurants.

Keating Valley River Ranch | Baker City, Oregon

AIRPORT SERVICES

The closest commercial airport, Boise Air Terminal, is 140 miles from the ranch and is served by United, American, Delta, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines.

Baker City has a municipal airport that has three runways. The longest is 5,085 feet of asphalt and in good shape.

SUMMARY

The Keating Valley River Ranch is an affordable cattle ranch with the expected hunting and wildlife owners love to see. The ranch has been very well taken care of and has all the structures in place, along with corrals that are ready for a new owner and energy. The feel of the ranch is one of privacy and remoteness but only 20 minutes from town and a good steak. The Powder River flowing through the ranch is a huge plus, along with the BLM allotments right out the back gate. First impressions are everything, and the Keating Valley River Ranch will meet the expectations you desire.

$2,900,000

$4,913

Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange

This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches, Inc and Baker City Realty. Please contact Dave Halgerson at (208) 869-8807 | dhalgerson@fayranches.com or Andrew Bryan at (208) 484-5835 | andrew@bakercityrealty.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or Baker City Realty must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties, fly fishing properties, and sporting ranches that we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.

TAXES TERMS CONTACT NOTICE

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.