SOLD: Volney Creek Ranch | Fay Ranches

VOLNEY CREEK RANCH

Red Lodge, Carbon County, Montana

$6,200,000 | 1,280± Acres

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

INTRODUCTION

Fay Ranches is pleased to present Volney Creek Ranch. Located in Carbon County, just minutes from the ski town of Red Lodge, nestled in the “Irish hills of Montana” at the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, this picturesque rolling grassland landscape is home to a herd of elk that bounce back and forth between Volney Creek Ranch and the neighboring ranches. Mule deer and whitetail deer also call this area home, as well as sharptailed grouse, Hungarian partridge, and curlew.

Volney and Dry Creek run the entirety of the ranch, and both run year-round and provide an ample water source for livestock and wildlife. Although a narrow creek, Volney Creek does hold a healthy number of trout. Weast and East Rosebud Ditches run above the 150± irrigated acres of the property and are the main water source used to water the grass hay fields, which produce 240-270 tons of hay annually in one cutting; grazing is utilized for regrowth.

The property is strategically cross-fenced, with the irrigated fields being fenced off of the other three pastures, which can be strategically grazed with relative ease. The ranch is currently running 200-220 yearlings and has the potential to run more.

The improvements are all built of top-quality custom craftsmanship and include a main house, a 9-stall horse barn, a machine shop, and a guest/manager’s cabin. An outdoor arena and round pen are attached to the barn and provide a convenient riding area just down from the headquarters.

QUICK FACTS

• 1,280± acres of which approximately 150± are irrigated

• Volney Creek and Dry Creek run throughout the property year-round

• Top quality custom home, barn, shop, and guest/managers cabin

• Outdoor riding arena

• Mountain views

• Resident elk herd

• Currently running 200-220 yearlings

• Cross-fenced

• 20-minute drive to Red Lodge, Montana, and Red Lodge Ski Resort

• Just over an hour drive to Billings, Montana

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

ACREAGE

• 1,280± total acres

The property consists of rolling grass hills, creek bottom, and brushy ravines. Approximately two miles of Volney Creek and approximately one mile of Dry Creek run year-round. 150± irrigated acres planted in grass hay watered by the Weast and East Rosebud Ditches surround both sides of Volney Creek. Breathtaking views of the Beartooth Mountains make this property a dream horse, cattle, and hunting property.

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

SCENIC VISTAS

Ranging from an elevation of 4,600 to 5,100 feet, panoramic views of the entire Beartooth front are available from the top of the grass hills of the property, and views of East Rosebud Drainage and Red Lodge Creek Plateau are available from the porch.

IMPROVEMENTS

Stunning mountain vistas provide a breathtaking backdrop for the Volney Creek Ranch 6,800-squarefoot home. Designed by High Plains Architects, the three-level beauty is modeled after an Australian ranch house. Nestled into a hillside, it strikes an inviting pose with its wrap-around porch.

Approximately 40’ vaulted ceilings in the great room are complimented with rough-cut fir beams and metal rods with “tie downs” that hold it all together. Two matching dry-stacked fireplaces on each end of the great room give a warm feeling to the area. The south side of this room is comprised of five folding glass doors which reveal incredible mountain views. This gorgeous sight remains unobstructed from the front of the home all the way through to the back. An 11-foot-tall bookshelf with a rolling ladder runs along the opposite end of the living area with a 2-foot thick hidden door that enters the office.

The primary suite is on the main floor of the house with a beautiful slate fireplace and shares the same mountain view as the rest of the south end of the home. A large soaking tub and a travertine tiled shower, along with a double sink, are in a shared room with the primary bed. A large walk-in closet with shelving, along with a vanity area, share the room as well.

The dining area features a double-sided fireplace with a great room along the south end of the home with a swinging glass door opening to the wrap-around deck. The kitchen’s exquisite copper ceiling tiles and wood cabinetry are complemented by a granite top island and black tile running throughout the kitchen countertop, along with a farmhouse sink looking down to the horse barn. The main level consists of radiant heated flooring with stained concrete running throughout the area.

The upstairs area has its own master suite, which offers a vaulted ceiling, a slate fireplace, two closets, and a skylight with a remote open. The bath’s side-by-side farm sink vanities create rustic poise and charm.

Two other guest rooms are located at the far end of the open loft. You literally walk atop the library wall, looking down over the great room on your right and onto the foyer and staircase on your left. The metal railing, with its horseshoe artistry, provides safe passage.

Between the kitchen and the main entryway is a staircase that leads you to the bottom of the house, which takes you to a mud room with an open shower for cleaning off the dogs at the bottom of the stairs and a door leading to the deep two-car garage with extra space to fit a 4-wheeler or side-by-side.

There is a well-appointed guest house that is currently occupied by the ranch manager and his family. The shop has high vaulted ceilings with tall doors large enough to fit a large tractor and other equipment. The shop is heated, insulated, and has hot and cold water.

The equestrian facilities are top-notch. The heated 9-stall horse barn features cement floors with drains, individual outdoor runs for each stall, and individual horse waterers. There is a large washing bay, an office with a full bath, a washer/dryer, etc., and a well-appointed tack room, corrals, a round pen, and an outdoor riding arena. The current owners have raised, bred, and competed Arabian horses for years.

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

RECREATION

Volney Creek Ranch is at the foothills of amongst the most beautiful mountain ranges in the US. The Beartooth Mountain range has hundreds of miles of trail systems, which are enjoyed by hikers and equestrian riders alike. Most of the trails will lead to many of the over three hundred lakes that are spread throughout the rugged mountains. There are multiple species of trout and grayling in the pristine mountain creeks and lakes.

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

F ishing

Phenomenal fishing opportunities await just minutes from the Volney Creek Ranch, ranging from mountain creeks such as the East and West Rosebuds to the south or Rock Creek, which runs through the town of Red Lodge. The nearby Stillwater and the world-famous Yellowstone River are both less than an hour’s drive away. Cooney Reservoir is another popular destination for walleye and perch anglers, which is less than 30 minutes away.

h unting & W ildli F e

Hunting is an out-the-door option for a variety of game. There is a resident elk herd that frequents the ranch, and good numbers of mule deer can be found throughout the property. There are also wing shooting opportunities at Volney Creek Ranch for Hungarian partridge, sharp-tail grouse, waterfowl, and the occasional pheasant. The nearby Beartooth Mountains also provide many public land options for a wide variety of game animals.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

Skiing Red Lodge Mountain, 25± miles, is a very popular pastime in the winter months and attracts many skiers from Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas, along with folks who have heard of the “Hidden Gem” from around the country. Red Lodge Ski Mountain has a base elevation of 7,016’ and a summit elevation of 9,416’, which offers a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and the area below, all the way to Wyoming. Six chair lifts and one surface lift shuttle skiers up the mountain with minimal lines and can service a capacity of 10,690 skiers per hour.

INCOME OPPORTUNITY

Volney Creek Ranch is currently being leased out by a neighboring rancher who runs 200-220 yearlings and manages the hay crop and fences. The ranch could run more livestock units, but the owner enjoys leaving grass for the resident elk herd. The ranch headquarters has also historically run as a VRBO, which is another income-producing opportunity.

CLIMATE

Climate charts courtesy of http://www.city-data.com/city/Red-Lodge-Montana.html

During the summer months, temperatures rarely exceed 90°F, and Red Lodge enjoys plenty of sunshine. Winters can be cold, with temperatures dropping below 0°F at times and several feet of snow accumulation possible each season. An average of 18 inches of rain and 129 inches of snow fall per year.

WATER SOURCES | WATER RIGHTS

Water rights are available upon request.

Montana waters, in all their varied forms and locations, belong to the State for the benefit of its people. A water right is the right to use the water within state-established guidelines, and not any ownership of the water itself. Since water rights in Montana are guided by the prior appropriation doctrine, a person’s right to use a specific quantity of water depends on when the use of water began, establishing the relative priority date of use on the water source. The first person to use water from a source established the first right, the second person could establish a right to the water that was left, and so on. Additionally, water users are limited to the amount of water that can be beneficially used. Beneficial use includes, but is not limited to, agricultural, recreational, fish, wildlife and domestic purposes.

Montana is currently conducting a statewide adjudication of all water rights with priority dates prior to July 1, 1973. The statewide adjudication is a court process that prioritizes and quantifies all existing water rights in each Montana drainage basin. With 85 basins in Montana, and over 219,000 water right claims, the statewide adjudication is a massive undertaking that is expected to stretch well into the future. Until the adjudication process is complete, the status of any particular water right claim cannot be guaranteed. Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons do not warrant or make any representation concerning the quantity or quality of any water rights, nor any legal entitlement to use of water rights, permits to appropriate water, exempt existing rights, determination of existing water rights, nor any ditches, ditch rights, or ditch easements appurtenant to or constituting a burden on the property. Water rights claims appurtenant to the property may or may not have been fully or finally adjudicated, and any buyer is advised to make any offer to purchase contingent upon and subject to such independent inspections, evaluations, and advice concerning the water rights and adjudication process as a buyer might deem prudent. All buyers should be aware that Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons involved in this offering have not conducted an expert inspection or analysis of the water rights for this property.

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.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

A thoughtful Montana Land Reliance conservation easement is on the property with a 15-acre building envelope. One additional dwelling is allowed to be built within the envelope, as well as unlimited agricultural buildings. One primitive cabin may be built anywhere on 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

Red Lodge is just a short 20± minute drive from the ranch headquarters. This historic town has been visited by many famous historical figures such as Buffalo Bill Cody, Liver-Eating Johnson, and Calamity Jane, and even had its bank robbed by non-other than Butch Cassidy. Today, the town has been tamed, and visitors can enjoy the many storefronts as well as a wide variety of wonderful eating establishments that line Broadway, the main street of the town, which, if you continue south, will lead you up the “All American Highway” the Beartooth Pass to the Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Photo courtesy of Acroterion, WikiCommons

Volney Creek Ranch | Red Lodge, Montana

GETTING THERE

From Red Lodge, Montana, which is an hour’s drive south of Billings, Montana, take the roundabout at the north end of town onto US Highway 78. Head west 13 miles to Volney Creek Road. From there, drive down Volney Creek Road approximately 5 miles and arrive at your destination.

AIRPORT SERVICES

Volney Creek Ranch is a 90± minute drive from Montana’s largest city, Billings, and its commercial airport. Billings-Logan International Airport is the transportation hub that caters to corporate and private aircraft and provides hangar rentals.

SUMMARY

Volney Creek Ranch offers 1,280± acres of lush fields and rolling hills with awe-inspiring views of the magnificent Beartooth face of the eastern Rocky Mountain front. The palatial home and classy improvements, including superb equestrian facilities, present a unique mix of privacy, luxury, and the Western recreational lifestyle. Volney Creek flows through the property and provides irrigation water for the ditches that irrigate the 150± acres of verdant hayfields and is also full of trout. Dry Creek, while smaller, also runs all year over the big ridge to the north and provides the water in a beautiful hidden valley for a large resident elk herd that bounces back and forth between Volney and the neighboring ranch. Nestled within a dramatic landscape of magnificent mountains, with endless fields of grass for livestock, horses, and elk, and abundant water resources, this property represents an opportunity like no other to own and build a legacy ranch for the ages.

$6,200,000

Cash, Conventional Financing, 1031 Tax Exchange

Please contact Dane Reed at (406) 425-0939 | dreed@fayranches.com or George Duke at (406) 670-7258 | gduke@fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches 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 .

PRICE 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.

RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE

As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:

1. SELLER AGENT

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:

Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

2. BUYER AGENT (cont)

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.

A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except

a dual agent:

Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.

4. STATUTORY BROKER

A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:

Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.

6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.

BUYER AGENT

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.