This splendid canyonlands ranch on US 87 just S of Fredericksburg boasts strong springs flowing throughout recent droughts, coupled with dramatic ridges and long range vistas, topped with major league lake site(s) and the very best location. Exquisite, rock bottom creeks flow over small waterfalls into fern-lined pools, in fantastic exotic settings of giant grottos, lush riparian hardwoods and artifact-laden bottoms. This is some of the prettiest, most pristine permanent water in the State of Texas!
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LOCATION: This supremely-located ranch is perched high in the canyonlands, on the edge of the Pedernales/Guadalupe divide, about 18 miles S of rockin Fredericksburg (world class shops, food, arts, music, hospital, supplies, college, airport), with 1.4 miles frontage on US Hwy. 87, a major N/S route which runs from the T...
LOCATION: This supremely-located ranch is perched high in the canyonlands, on the edge of the Pedernales/Guadalupe divide, about 18 miles S of rockin Fredericksburg (world class shops, food, arts, music, hospital, supplies, college, airport), with 1.4 miles frontage on US Hwy. 87, a major N/S route which runs from the Texas Gulf Coast thru the Panhandle. This is about 5 miles N of Comfort (restaurants, supplies, antiques) and I-10, and a mere 40 minutes to N San Antonio, home to everything else (international airport, major medical, multiple universities). For more information on Kerr County, go to [link removed].
The area, within commuting distance of San Antonio, has seen two very nice, acreage tract subdivisions just south of the property thrive in recent years (Falling Waters & The Reserve), featuring homes in the range of $350K up to $1M. The long term investment potential of this ranch cannot be understated.
This was once part of the sprawling Stieler Ranch, one of the pioneering sheep and goat operations in the area, and there are still a number of large, undeveloped working/recreational ranches in the immediate area. In fact, there is a total of about 280 adjoining acres that can be purchased (see Water Valley at [link removed]), still owned by Stieler heirs.
WATER: This ranch comprises a significant portion of the source waters of strong-flowing North Creek, well known as one of the steadiest-flowing creeks in all of the Hill Country. At this writing (5/28/11), in extreme drought approaching 9 months, there is visible flow and pools the entire length of the creek, but particularly in the two upper branches (W one being Owl Creek). These exquisite brooks are solid rock bottom, and offer classic canyonlands-style clear spring water cascading over small falls into fascinating, clear pools fringed by ferns and riparian vegetation. Super Nice!
One can safely say that there is a total of 2 miles of live creeks on this ranch, though much of that flows under gravel in extreme drought conditions like present. Without a doubt there are a couple of sterling, potential lake sites on this primary drainage, and the riparian environment of towering hardwoods, limestone cliffs and lush understory is simply without compare.
A water well is located at the NE corner of the property, and sweet water is known to be available in the area at around 600 depth. For more information on area groundwater, contact the Headwaters Groundwater Conservation District at [link removed] or call 830.896.4110.
LAND: Most of the ranch is classic, Balcones-type canyonlands, with steep, narrow gorges flanked by high plateaus, some with breathtaking views of the North Creek valley and far beyond to the SE. The NW corner of the ranch can correctly be described as divide country, being gently undulating to flat, with scattered live oak and post oak trees. Many fine potential homesites are to be had, some overlooking possibly spectacular lake sites.
Spectacular, mostly cedar-free hardwoods blanket much of the ranch from valley floor to hilltop, including lacy oak, live oak, post oak, walnut and pecan. A small portion of the ranch was quarried, some of which has been remediated and healed very nicely. At one point, well water is piped off of a 40 bluff into a small shallow lake below, resulting in a very scenic and unusual cliff/water feature.
Soils are mostly shallow, stony clays, with small basins of alluvium along North Creek. These support semi-managed stands of tall native grasses and turfs common to the area. . . not overgrazed. . . a very nice look indeed! Large herds of axis deer are known to roam the area, and whitetail deer are also abundant, along with turkey, hogs and the usual roster of varmints and songbirds.
A NextEra electric transmission line roughly follows just inside the S and W boundary of the ranch, and is clearly visible from about 25% of the site, though the positioning of it mostly along the bottom edge of the hills minimizes the visual intrusion tremendously.
IMPROVEMENTS: The ranch is high fenced on two sides, has an excellent interior road system of crushed limestone base/concrete crossings, and has some cross fencing. A water well is located near the NE corner of the property.
FINANCIAL/TITLE: Listing price is $5,950/acre, cash to Seller, who will provide basic title insurance and current survey. Mineral conveyance is negotiable. There is a power line easement close to the W and S boundary of the ranch, and an access easement to 2 neighbors on the W and S boundary that is fenced out of the ranch. The property is located in the Comfort School District, and 2010 ag-exempt taxes were $887.
SUMMARY: This dramatic ranch must be considered one of the premier, live water canyonlands properties in the area. Featuring superb location and layout, intensely fascinating spring creeks, wildly beautiful hardwood forests and multiple monster viewpoints. . . Owl Creek Ranch brings the full spectrum of desirable Hill Country attributes to the table. . . at one of the most desirable price points weve seen. Dont forget the possibility of adding on another 280 water-laden acres to the south!
The information contained herein has been diligently assembled and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. Viewing appointments scheduled with LANDTX. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS.
Buyers brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, broker.