TheGUNNISON, Castles CO GUNNISON,The Castles COLORADO Introduction: Majestic is simply one of the ways to describe this special property. It presents the rare ION opportunity to own one of the best views in Colorado, build a luxurious getaway and experience CT some of the most dramatic vistas the state has to offer. Walk out your back door into the RODU Gunnison National Forest and the West Elk Wilderness. Sportsman adventures abound for the T N I most discriminating buyer. The property boasts tremendous big game hunting and fishing in LES the private trout pond. Additional angling is available on the many lakes, ponds and creeks in T AS nearby national forest, just a short horseback ride or hike, and fishing is also great in one of the C many close trophy, trout-filled rivers. Skiing is plentiful in Crested Butte. Breathtaking is the THE only way to illustrate the 360° panoramas that include The Castles, the West Elk Mountains, Kebler Pass, Mount Baldy and the sprawling Gunnison National Forest. There are very few properties in the state offering this total package. Robb Nelson, Attorney/Broker 303.909.6491 • [email protected] Toll Free 866.734.6100 www.LiveWaterProperties.com Own a View of the Castles ION T A C O L ES T ASL C Location: THE Located 18 miles from commercial air service in Gunnison and 45 minutes from the resort town of Crested Butte, the area offers excellent amenities. Accessed off County Road 730 north of Gunnison, The Castles has a great combination of lush meadows, aspens and dark timber. The property is suitable for horses, and the ranch is bordered by Gunnison National Forest and the West Elk Wilderness. The area offers exciting recreational opportunities, unique cultural experiences and shopping. Crested Butte has the small mountain town feel with no traffic lights or chain stores, yet resort-laden amenities including boutiques and fine dining. The Gunnison Valley has a fascinating history and is known as one of the West’s most beautiful mountain regions. Located on the western slope of Colorado, the Gunnison Valley includes high alpine valleys and parks with some of the finest hunting and fishing in the nation. With 14,000‐foot‐high mountains and a rich past of mining, cattle and recreation, the Gunnison history provides ample mountain charm. The population of Gunnison is estimated to be 5,500 people and Crested Butte’s population is approximately 1,600. In addition to Crested Butte, other outdoor explora- tions can be found in Curecanti National Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir, Hartman Rocks, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Taylor Reservoir. Area History: The Gunnison area has many historic sites. The area was explored in the 1850s for a trans- continental railroad route. The region first started booming in the 1870s as a result of mining activity. The Ute Indians were forced out of the area as many ranchers, traders and miners moved in. Many mining towns went through the boom and bust and are now ghost towns. The town of Baldwin, located across the road from the ranch, came into existence due to a rich gold strike in 1897. It survived throughout the years due to good ranchland and coal mining. Originally situated across the hill from the present site, the town later moved to accommodate the railroad. S T MPROVEMEN I LES T AS C Acreage and Improvements: THE This 120-acre property arguably has one of the best building sites in all of Colorado. The views are exquisite. Colorado Open Lands holds a Conservation Easement on a portion of the property, but the best building sites remain unencumbered. The current owners have done a significant amount of work to get it prepared for a dream home to be built. At the prime building site there is a 500’ water well with a pre- excavated foundation of 2,800 sqft, and the potential for a 1,200 sqft walkout level. The current owners have the floor plans of the log home they had intended to build, designed at +/- 4,800 sqft. Other improvements include a buried 1,500 gallon septic tank and large leach field, a buried 500 gallon propane tank, a 30x40 concrete slab suited for a shop building to store toys, gear and equipment or utilize as a heli-pad. A small pond is also onsite. The property is completely surrounded by protected conservation easement lands held by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Astounding views surrounding the property include Mount Baldy, West Elk Peak, Storm Pass, Castles, Roosters Nest, Storm Ridge, Beckwith Peak, Ohio Peak, Mount Owens, Purple Peak, Garfield Peak, Mount Emmons, Mount Axtell, Mount Carbon, Whetstone Mountain, Red Mountain and Flattop Mountain. www.LiveWaterProperties.com Big Game Hunting: A hunter associated with the Pro Staffs of Mossy Oak, Hunter’s Specialties, Mathews and Outdoor Edge, advocates that this ranch offers prime elk and deer habitat. Elk and deer signs, including countless game trails, rubs and scrapes are found throughout the property. With deep canyons, draws, running creeks, ponds, food plots, crop land, dark timber and hardwoods, it certainly lends itself to deer contentment. There is no question that this property hunts a lot bigger than the acreage. With direct access to the West Elk Wilderness, hunters can track as far and long as desirable. The property is located in Game Unit 54, and this area is considered by many experts to be one of the best elk and Mule deer hunting regions in the state. Well known for big Mule deer bucks, hunters travel to Gunnison from around the world every year to stalk Mule deer. Serious hunters looking for the trophy hunt of a lifetime rated this area at the top of their list. Elk hunters also flock to the Gunnison area. Colorado is the only state where elk licenses are available over‐the-counter right up to the day of hunting season, and over‐the‐counter bull elk tags are available for second and third season for this property. Live Water and Water Rights: There are two springs, four seasonal ponds and two reservoirs along the Highline Ditch on the property. The Castles has fishing opportunities both on the ranch and within walking distance. Castle Creek and several great fishing reservoirs and ponds in the national forest are adjacent. The ranch has very good water rights and the following water rights will be conveyed with the sale. All appurtenant water and ditch rights described G as including a 44% interest in the Highline Ditch System, a 1/44th interest in the Acme Ditch and a 100% interest in the Silka Reservoir. S AND NEARBY FISHIN T H G I R Nearby Fishing: ER T According to the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce, the Valley’s population is mostly fish. Gunnison Valley is an angler’s paradise. In addition to Colorado’s largest man‐made lake, Blue LES WA Mesa, the Valley boasts several other scenic reservoirs, three classic rivers, a number of streams T AS and countless alpine lakes and beaver ponds. There is great diversity of fish in the area, including C HE Kokanee salmon, brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook and mackinaw or lake trout. Prolific fly T hatches abound. The Gunnison area provides a variety of waters for anglers of all persuasions. In the high country, anglers can fish the waters for brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout with lightweight fly fishing gear or spinning tackle. The Gunnison, Lake Fork and Taylor are known as tremendous fisheries. Some of the best brown trout fishing in the country can be found deep in the canyon of the Gunnison Gorge. Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Reservoir are considered favorite lake fisheries. The Blue Mesa Reservoir is known for lake trout, Kokanee salmon and brown trout, while the Taylor is known for trout and northern pike. Recreational Opportunities and Other Recreation: The Castles provides endless summer and winter activities on the ranch as well as limitless pursuits accessible through the nearby national forest. In summer, fishing, hunting, hiking, horseback riding, four‐wheeling and camping are enjoyable. In winter, snowmobiling and cross‐ country skiing are available. The Gunnison Valley and nearby Crested Butte also offer many recreational activities. Crested Butte has alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, as well as a wealth of backcountry terrain for ski adventurers. If you are not a skier, enjoy sleigh and horseback rides, snowshoeing, ice skating, and more. During the spectacular summers, enjoy activities such as mountain biking, hiking, fishing, climbing, horseback riding, river rafting and kayaking. Crested Butte is also known as the Wildflower Capital of Colorado. Set in spectacular scenery, the magnificent mountain backdrop and countless flowers make Gunnison-Crested Butte the perfect Colorado summer vacation destination. Incredible displays of wildflowers are made possible with abundant moisture in the surrounding area. Crested Butte is home to the Wildflower Festival and the Wildflower Mountain Garden, thus clear evidence that The Castles has an abundance of stunning wildflowers. Climate: Gunnison Valley is defined by its seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter are all spectacularly marked by changes in weather, moisture and natural colors. During winter months, a fair amount of the area is covered with snow; however access is maintained year‐round by the county. Fall is special as there are many brilliant colors yet constantly changing. Spring blossoms with colorful wildflowers. Summer peaks with notable fresh mountain air, green grass and trees with a fabulous bonus set: excellent fishing and hiking. The Castles Topo Map UMMARY S Summary: To say this property is one-of-a-kind is an understatement. The breathtaking views alone rank it as one of the best OLORADO C available offerings on the market in Colorado.