Springhill, Montana
$9,950,000 | 320± acres
Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
INTRODUCTION
Nestled among the lush meadows of the rugged Bridger Mountains, with stately Ross Peak serving as the backdrop, lies the expansive Windcall Ranch. On 320± acres, the Windcall Ranch hosts five residences, recreational outbuildings, a riding arena, endless trails, and open space. A conservation easement protects the Windcall Ranch’s landscape and the local wildlife population who travel across the bordering national forest. As part of the historic farming community of Springhill, Windcall Ranch provides a rare opportunity to own a beautiful piece of the Valley of the Flowers in one of Montana’s most charming locations.
The rural, private location of the property lends itself to a slower, relaxed pace and provides easy access to Bozeman via a short 20± minute drive over well-maintained county roads. In addition, the property enjoys easy access to the national forest service lands with a shared border and a public forest service trail a mile up the road.
QUICK FACTS
• 320± acres of lush pastureland and forest offering incredible views
• Nestled in the foothills of the Bridger Mountains with stately Ross Peak serving as the backdrop
• Expansive primary residence, two guest houses, studio office, and caretakers’ residence
• Thoughtful trail and road system connecting all the improvements
• Underground fire suppression system throughout the improvements
• Restored recreational barn, tack room, and pole corrals
• Additional horse barn with corrals
• Incredible ranch for the horse enthusiasts with a developed riding arena below the pond
• Miles of trails on the ranch and nearby forest service trails provide endless opportunities
• Multiple pastures, each with a water tank
• Spring-fed fishing pond with dock
• Conservation easement on the property
• Big game winter grazing habitat
• Part of the historic farming community of Springhill
• Located within the Springhill zoning district, which restricts further subdivision development to a minimum of 160 acres
• Located 20± minutes from Bozeman, Montana
• Close to the Truman Gulch Trailhead in the Bridger Mountains
• Bordering the Custer-Gallatin National Forest
• Full of wildlife including elk, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, grouse, turkey, and birds of prey
• A rare opportunity to own a beautiful piece of the Valley of the Flowers in Montana
2 Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
AREA HISTORY
Settled in the late 1800s, the community of Springhill became a center of commerce and activity based on the plentiful resources surrounding the area. The rich agricultural land, moderate weather, and abundant water allowed families to establish the area’s first flour mill, lumber mill, brewery, shingle factory, and numerous stores. As nearby Bozeman grew, Springhill lost its importance as a commerce center yet maintained its independence and sense of community.
Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
The small rural Springhill School, Springhill Presbyterian Church, and Springhill Pavilion all contribute to the intimacy of the area and provide just enough activity to keep the community alive. The movie A River Runs Through It immortalized Springhill’s lush settings, spectacular views, and turn-of-thecentury feel.
Further proof of the area’s unique appeal was the creation of the special Springhill Zoning District in 1992. Created to protect the area’s agricultural integrity and open spaces, the Springhill Zoning District has served as a model on how to regulate and promote the orderly development of diverse regions. Springhill is considered a premier location to live, and properties of this size are difficult to attain due to this protection.
Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
SPORTING PURSUITS & RECREATION
F amily a dventures , H iking , B iking and t rail r iding
Windcall Ranch has a well-maintained system of trails throughout the ranch for nature walks and wildlife viewing. Bridger Mountain Range’s mountains offer many recreational pursuits, including horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, bird watching, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and just relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
The Truman Gulch trailhead into the Bridger Mountains lies less than a mile from the Windcall Ranch driveway entrance. The Windcall Ranch boundary or Truman Gulch trailhead presents the closest access to the Bridger Mountains for adventures.
Sighting wildlife on the Windcall Ranch is a regular occurrence. Elk, deer, black bear, mountain lion, upland birds, and raptors enhance the surrounding views.
In Montana hunting district 312, Windcall Ranch requires a special permit drawing for trophy mule deer. Requiring a general tag, whitetail deer and elk hunting is outstanding with the combination of pastureland and cover. A neighboring ranch, well-known as trophy elk property, manages for prime elk habitat. The Windcall Ranch and the adjoining National Forest benefit from these efforts.
The Springhill area’s quality habitat and cumulative management efforts have created excellent and stable upland bird populations, specifically turkey, grouse, and pheasant. A resident flock of Merriam turkeys lives on the Windcall Ranch, providing accessible hunting of a spring gobbler. In addition to the huntable birds, other species, including songbirds, golden and bald eagles, hawks, and falcons, live and utilize the property.
Windcall Ranch
Springhill, Montana
A spring-fed fishing pond offers enjoyment to beginning enthusiasts learning to cast a fly rod for the first-time angler or the ardent fisherman looking to relax and throw a line.
A short distance from Windcall Ranch, the Madison, Gallatin, and Yellowstone rivers offer quality fishing opportunities within 15 to 45 minutes. All three rivers are arguably the most famous fly-fishing rivers in the world due to their scenic beauty and incredible numbers and size of wild trout. The Madison, Yellowstone, and Gallatin rivers are known for their dry fly fishing.
Photo taken leaving Bridger Bowl Ski Area
Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
The Bridger Mountain Range, a sub-range of the Rocky Mountains that runs north-south between Bozeman and Livingston, is home to Bridger Bowl Ski Area. Bridger Bowl and Crosscut Mountain Sports Center are just a short 30-minute drive northeast of Bozeman and offer great skiing with a charming and local atmosphere. Along with the Bridgers, the Gallatin Range to the south includes over ten distinct mountains with elevations of more than 10,000 feet. The Gallatin Range extends to Yellowstone National Park.
Big Sky Montana hosts Big Ski Resort, the Yellowstone Club, Moonlight Basin Ski Resort, and the Spanish Peaks Club, each with its own private Jack Nicklaus or Tom Weiskopf-designed golf course. Big Sky presents Music in the Mountains Summer Concerts, the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, and the Arts Council of Big Sky.
Photo taken looking south on Sypes Trail in Bridger Mountains
Windcall
Ranch | Springhill, Montana
IMPROVEMENTS
m ain H O use
Showcased by a grand hallway, the main house entry leads into open living space, kitchen, dining space, or stairs. The residence, totaling 3,465± square feet, contains three bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a garage. A deck provides a view of Ross Peak and the valley.
Windcall Ranch
The forest guest residence, encompassing 3,036± square feet, presents a pleasant, open living space with four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The view of Ross Peak provides enjoyment from the patio.
16 Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
The guest cottage has an open floor plan, kitchen, and three bedrooms with two baths. The cottage is a perfect setting for your family members or guests to relax.
Tucked in the edge of an enchanting mature aspen grove, the secluded art studio, complete with a kitchen, bath, and sleeping area, provides private space for solitude and creativity. The location, chosen for its light and inspiring setting, captures arguably the most dramatic views on the ranch.
18 Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
Ideally positioned as the “gatekeeper” of the ranch, the caretaker’s house includes three bedrooms, two baths, and a separate garage. c aretaker ’ s H O use
A 114-year-old refurbished barn takes you back in time, with the main floor remaining open for entertaining, dances, and recreational activities (indoor pickleball, basketball, etc.). A loft with easy access also lends itself to many additional activities. The barn’s lower level is a classic layout with stalls and a tack room.
20 Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
Windcall Ranch is perfect for horse enthusiasts. A second horse barn with corrals is adjacent to the main recreational barn. With miles of trails on the ranch and a developed arena, the days of riding and training horses could be endless.
ACREAGE
Rich alpine forests, swaying grass, and spring wildflowers blanket the 320± acres of the Windcall Ranch. Native grasses, shrubbery, and trees cushion the landscape and views of the surrounding valley and mountains.
Montana
22 Windcall Ranch | Springhill,
AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES
Windcall Ranch primarily consists of grass pastures and fields for hay and grazing. Thoughtful and consistent management has been employed over the past three decades to maximize production while balancing the ecological health of the ranches’ pristine setting. Including stock water development, a series of paddocks allows for effective rotational grazing to support horses and cattle in small numbers.
Windcall Ranch’s expert ranch managers spearheaded an integrated neighborhood grazing plan. Seasonal grazing of the Windcall occurs in concert with other landowners allowing more effective grazing across the larger landscape. The Windcall Ranch is a complete model for sustainable agriculture and the standard by which many others strive to achieve.
24 Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
WATER RESOURCES
A spring-fed fishing pond with a dock offers enjoyment to all levels of fishermen. Three wells are on the property to supply ample personal and irrigation water. Specific water rights are available and provided upon request.
Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP
A Montana Land Reliance conservation easement exists on the Windcall Ranch. Elk and other big game use the ranch for winter range in conjunction with other nearby properties and public land.
Fay Ranches, Inc. works extensively with conservation easements. We find them to be valuable tools in keeping family farms and ranches intact and avoiding subdivisions, which compromise the beauty of our rivers and the value of the surrounding land
A conservation easement fulfills different needs of landowners. For one family, a treasured farm passes to future generations. A prized trout stream, waterfowl wetland, or big game winter ground is conserved for others. A story lies behind every conservation easement, but the underlying reason is a landowner’s desire to preserve a unique piece of land forever.
Conservation easement specifics are available and provided upon request.
LOCATION
Bozeman (pop 56,000±) is host to Montana State University and the Museum of the Rockies. Based on Bozeman’s tourism and high-tech industries, the local economy is considered one of the strongest in Montana. Downtown Bozeman has been an essential and historic gateway to the West for more than 100 years. Downtown merchants outfitted explorers, miners, ranchers, and the army with supplies to sustain them. Today’s downtown features rows of turn-of-the-century buildings. With more than 100 shops and restaurants lining this beautiful and historic retailing corridor, a stroll down historic Main Street elicits feelings of a mountain ski town vibe.
The arts and culture scene consists of the Bozeman Opera, Bozeman Symphony, Montana Ballet, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Ellen Theatre, Bozeman Film Society, Emerson Center of Arts & Culture, Sweet Pea Festival, Wild West Winter Fest, Gallatin County Fair, and Bozeman Stampede Rodeo. With the addition of the cultural, academic, and athletic influences of 12,000± students at Montana State University, Bozeman provides an exquisite, well-rounded quality of life.
Yellowstone National Park, within a two-hour drive, acts as the cherry on top of living in Bozeman.
28 Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
AIRPORT SERVICES
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is located 9± miles west of Bozeman and is a 15-minute drive from the property. Delta, United, American Southwest, Allegiant, Alaska, jetBlue, and SunCountry airlines provide service to Bozeman Yellowstone International. The airfield also includes two facilities for private aircraft. Summit Aviation, Northern Wings Aviation, Yellowstone Jetcenter, and Signature Flight Support offer charter and private flight services.
Windcall Ranch | Springhill, Montana
SUMMARY
With some of the most stunningly beautiful land in the valley, the 320± acres of the Windcall Ranch represent an excellent real estate investment in the Gallatin Valley. The proximity to one of the most growing and attractive communities in the West and tranquility of Springhill Community, the prolific wildlife populations, and tremendous recreational opportunities in the area makes this a wonderful ranch to own and enjoy Montana.
$9,950,000
Cash
Please contact James Esperti at (406) 586-4001 | jesperti@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 .
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.
