TBD HWY 64 , Angel Fire, NM 87571(Colfax County)

Lying within the shadow of New Mexico’s highest mountain, Monte Verde Ranch is situated at the heart of a diverse recreational wonderland. Literally only minutes away from this 878-acre gem of a property are exceptional opportunities to hike, fly fish, hunt, boat, and horseback ride in the summer, and downhill ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile in the winter. With excellent water rights and pasture, Monte Verde Ranch also functions as a seasonal cattle operation, making this a rare find as a recreational property with a solid income stream as well.

As the crow flies, 13,159-foot Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico, is only 11 miles northwest of Monte Verde Ranch, and can been seen from many parts of the property. The ranch itself lies at elevations of 8200 to 8800 feet, which translates into wonderfully cool summers and mountain splendor in every quarter. The higher portions of the ranch are filled with ponderosa pine and spruce forest, and the lower portions are well-watered meadow sections traversed by both Cieneguilla and American Creeks. The ranch borders the wildlife-rich Colin Neblett State Wildlife Area and several other premier ranch properties, making this one of the loveliest uncrowded neighborhoods in this part of the state.

Anchoring the ranch is an impressive 5500-square foot stone home, which has five bedrooms and four baths. Its exposed-beam architecture throughout is reminiscent of many historic lodges, and its several rock fireplaces add to that ambience as well. Nearby is a 3500-square-foot guest house, which includes four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Needless to say, Monte Verde Ranch is well-positioned to serve as a headquarters for large groups at weddings, family gatherings, or extensive hunting and fishing adventures.

Monte Verde Ranch runs cattle in the summer months and includes abundant water rights to support the operation. The ranch holds rights to 299 acre/feet of water to irrigate 199 acres, and the summer grass here grows vigorously in the clean air and high altitude sun. Several wells complete the rich water supply on the Monte Verde Ranch. Ranching improvements include a barn, foreman’s house, corrals, and fencing throughout. A good road system permits easy access to every portion of the property.

Hunting and fishing opportunities are exceptional in this part of New Mexico. The ranch itself receives landowner elk tags annually and holds large numbers of elk year-round with trophy bulls over 330 being a realistic possibility. In addition, mule deer, black bear, and turkey can be seen on the property with regularity and also hunted annually. For the fly fisherman, the productive Cimarron River, including its famed Holy Waters section, is just a few miles to the north. The unique water resources on the ranch itself can also hold trout. Trout fishing can be good in the creeks, especially when the water levels are high in the spring. Two established ponds on the ranch have also been stocked in past years and provide fun fishing opportunities.

Recreation of all sorts abounds just a short distance from the ranch. Eagle Nest Lake lies only about three miles down the valley, and offers camping, boating, and fishing for rainbow and brown trout, kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, and even northern pike. For downhill skiers, Angel Fire Ski Area is only five miles away, and Taos is a 45-minute drive. Considering the amount of hiking, wildlife photography, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing opportunities in the near vicinity, the recreational options here add up to be almost an embarrassment of riches.

Access to Monte Verde Ranch is excellent, as it lies on paved New Mexico Highway 64, and the excellent private Angel Fire Airstrip is only five miles distant. The cultural mecca of Santa Fe is 100 miles distant, and Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, is only about three hours away.

As Wheeler Peak is the top of New Mexico, Monte Verde Ranch is the top in its class as a smaller ranch well-situated for year-round recreation. With luxury accommodations suited for larger gatherings of many varieties, this property’s potential is as high as the mountains surrounding it.