38176 Cardinal Lane , Squaw Valley, CA 93675(Fresno County)

THE PROPERTY - Located about 7 miles off of Hwy 180, the ranch consists of 6 separate, but contiguous, parcels. Three parcels are 5 acres each and provide controlled access points to the main ranch at the top and bottom. The main ranch consists of 3 parcels, 259 acres, 160 acres, and 47 acres. This is a foothill ranch with a wide variety of terrains, slopes, and elevations (from 1,700 to 2,800 feet).There are several broad, open bench areas interspersed with hillside terrain. This property has very little brush and its southern exposure provides excellent native rangeland grasses. There are numerous springs throughout the ranch that produce even in sub-par rain years and 3 small ponds. There are 3 large seasonal creeks that flow through the property. The entire ranch is fenced and cross-fenced.

THE HOME - A ranch of this quality deserves a distinctive homestead of prestige and elegance. You won't be disappointed. A security gated entry with a 1,300 foot stamped concrete driveway leads from Cardinal Lane up the hill to the top of the mountain to the ranch headquarters. Prepare to be impressed. The home is about 2,800 sqft and was entirely renovated about a year ago. It features 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and a massively open true great room floorplan with 10 foot beamed ceilings and travertine tile floors.

The gourmet kitchen is a work of art with gorgeous custom cabinetry, granite counters, and a distinctive island breakfast counter. All of the appliances are stainless steel with two large ovens, built in microwave, dishwasher, and 2 large side by side refrigerator/freezers. The custom 5 burner cooktop is highlighted by a designer ceiling height custom hood and built-in pot filler water outlet. And, you will love the truly unique and rustic double barn door pantry.

The massive great room features an impressive stone fireplace with a full western window wall that overlooks the San Joaquin Valley.

This home has 2 master bedrooms. The isolated owner's suite has a nice sitting area, large walk-in closet with sliding barn door, and a gorgeous master bath with an oversized shower and enclosed toilet. At the opposite side of the home is a second master bedroom and bath, two nice additional bedrooms and a guest bath. There is also a large laundry room with custom cabinets and granite counters.

The attached 2 car garage is fronted by an impressive open beamed carport. A large parking area, all in stamped concrete fronts the home. A stamped concrete walkway leads from the great room across the lawn to a beautiful built-in firepit that overlooks the entire San Joaquin Valley. You are treated to some truly spectacular views including some brilliant sunsets, overlooking the fogged covered valley, and, at times, views of the Coast Range.

OTHER IMPROVEMENTS - This is a horse ranch, so you really need a place to keep them. The highlight of this property is the custom 30x160 concrete block and stucco 9-stall horse stable with tack room. It's almost disrespectful to call this gorgeous building merely a stable. Rightfully, it is more of a horse condo. Adjacent to the stable is a neat covered round pen for working out in any weather. Next to the round pen is an enclosed outdoor bathroom. Between the home and the stable is a large outdoor pavilion where you can entertain guests and watch the horses work out. There's even a great spot to hang your hammocks for an afternoon nap. The house well is an impressive 60 gallons per minute.

Every ranch breakfast has eggs on the menu and we've got that covered with the custom enclosed chicken coop and yard. Next to the chickens there's also a nice place to keep a few goats. A large play area for the kids looks down on the home. It's a great spot for the kiddies, but the owners are taking the playground equipment with them.

Down below the home is a nice full sized workout arena where you can practice roping and your riding skills. At the very lower end of the property is a nice set of working corrals for branding and roundups. Deerbrook Lane is the lower access to the ranch at this site making it easy to load and ship cattle to market. Adjacent to the corrals is an older singlewide mobile home. There is a well here but no electricity.

THE LAND - This is a gorgeous mountain ranch with a great mix of terrain that features large open areas, mature oaks, and some truly amazing rock formations. The entire ranch has southern exposure so it grows good grass and has little brush. Annual rainfall is about 25 inches. Elevations range from a low of 1,700 feet at the corrals to 2,800 feet at the home. Summer temperatures are cooler than the excessive heat of the San Joaquin Valley and you can expect the occasional snowfall in winter (4 to 6 inches is common). The entire ranch is fenced and cross-fenced and is currently supporting a herd of 40+ cattle and 20 horses. The entire ranch has road access although portions are 4 wheel drive only. There are 3 small ponds on the property, one at the top, one about half way down, and one near the bottom of the ranch. There's a large spring area about midway where the owners have set up a spot to do overnight camp outs. This property has great hunting with deer, wild turkey, quail, and dove in abundance. You'll also find the occasional wild hog. The terrain of the ranch is well suited to wildlife and the expanse of the ranch provides a great refuge for critters such as fox, bobcat, racoon, possums, and more. There's also a great mix of raptors with several species of hawks, bald and golden eagle, as well as vultures. The views available from various places on the ranch are simply breathtaking. From majestic views of the High Sierras to panoramic views of the San Joaquin to interior views of the various local valley areas of the ranch itself, you are constantly treated to some truly impressive "eye-candy". This ranch offers a unique setting to get away from all of the turmoils and hectic pace of an urban lifestyle and relax in a totally secluded and serene environment where you can commune with nature to your heart's content.

THE INTANGIBLES - #1 is the natural beauty and privacy of the ranch. The seclusion and serenity of this property is marvelous. You truly are in your own private piece of paradise. #2 are the views. Nearly every spot you go on this ranch treats you to a new and different piece of "eye candy" view that can stretch out to over 80 miles to the Coast Range, views of the majestic Sierra Sawtooth, captivating western views of the San Joaquin Valley (especially the sunsets, city lights at night, and fog covered ocean like effects), and views of the unique local rock formations and interior valleys. #3 is the wildlife - not just for the hunting but all of the other critters as well. Three types of foxes, bobcats, deer, raccoons, possums, the occasional mountain lion, and the very rarely sighted badger. Add to that the immense variety of birds, both local and seasonal, that frequent the ranch. Very rarely do we get a ranch of this size and character - an amazing blend of seclusion, natural beauty, and functionality - outstanding property for raising horses and cattle, outstanding land to enjoy a truly private refuge from the turmoil of an urban lifestyle, and an outstanding opportunity to enjoy the beauty and bounty of Mother Nature in a rural setting of complete serenity.

THE DOWNSIDES - We always talk about any potential negative features. All properties have them, but they usually aren't talked about. This is a mountainous property. It has steep hillside areas as well as nice bench areas. The interior roads are in pretty rough condition with 4 wheel drive conditions. They could use some improvement. The mobile at the bottom of the ranch definitely needs some work to make it livable. Also, there is no power currently at this location. Most cost effective solution is probably solar. The ranch does get occasional snow in the winter. The norm is about 4-6 inches but a foot is possible. The small ponds catch seasonal runoff but they do generally dry up in the summer. That can be improved with installation of a solar well and pump and some directed distribution of the water. Pipe is cheap and gravity is your friend.

THE CONCLUSION - There you have it. One of the nicest large properties to be found anywhere in the state. An amazing ranch with so very much to offer - a serene and secluded environment, great grazing land, terrific hunting, captivating scenery, huge panoramic vistas, quality facilities for your horses, and a drop dead gorgeous home to hang your hat in. So very much and more that one might expect to find in a $2,500,000 property. And that brings us to a couple of final points. Obviously, showings are by appointment only. Potential buyers must submit satisfactory proof of financial capacity to purchase prior to any showing. The listing agent must be present for all showings. Also, please wear boots or hiking shoes - this isn't high heel or sandal territory.

Still interested? Give us a call - we would love to show you just how incredible this ranch is. We are in one of the few unspoiled areas of California remaining and we are very proud of it. Come visit and maybe you will end up being one of our new neighbors.

Special Features:

* 6 contiguous parcels totaling 480 acres

* Unique true custom ranch residence of distinction

* 30x160 custom 9 stall stable with covered round pen

* Security gated 1,300 foot stamped concrete driveway

* Panoramic views of the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Sawtooth

* Completely secluded setting in a serene environment of natural beauty