Sapphire Foothills Ranch
BITTERROOT VALLEY HUNTING RETREAT ON 1,160 ACRES
IN THE MAGNIFICENT BITTERROOT VALLEY, MONTANA
The 1,160-acre ranch is nestled on the east side of the spectacular Bitterroot Valley, in the Sapphire Mountains foothills, in Southwestern Montana. This private holding borders thousands of acres of State Lands with limited public access and is in the desirable Hunting District 261, a top trophy mule deer management area. The ranch provides excellent winter and summer habitat for resident elk, mule deer and other game animals, including upland birds.
The ranch offers true end-of-the-road seclusion and privacy along with breathtaking views of the Bitterroot Mountain Range and the valley below. The terrain gently ascends from 4,400 feet at the homestead, to the 5,800 feet in the timber, rising gradually east into the foothills, providing a wide diversity of landscape and terrain along wi...
The ranch offers true end-of-the-road seclusion and privacy along with breathtaking views of the Bitterroot Mountain Range and the valley below. The terrain gently ascends from 4,400 feet at the homestead, to the 5,800 feet in the timber, rising gradually east into the foothills, providing a wide diversity of landscape and terrain along with trails for all kinds of recreational opportunities: 4-wheeling, horse-back riding, and hiking. Approximately 160+ acres are in timber with numerous trails and an old logging road servicing the timber. There are over 500 acres of pasture, previously in grain production, but put into the conservation reserve in the late 1980s and put into pasture grasses. It now has a beautiful stand of scattered pines on one of the 200-acre fields. 133 acres are available for dryland grain farming. The remainder of the acreage is a balance in pastures, hillsides, creek bottoms and numerous interesting draws. Ranch has 8 miles of perimeter fencing. There are several water rights filed on ponds, springs and 1 well.
The ranch was originally homesteaded in the late 1890s, many deeds from the US Government. There is a modest 3 bedroom, 1-1/2 baths, 1-1/2 story home built in the early 1970s, with approximately 2,000 square feet on the site of one of the original homesteads. The original two-story barn, 30 x 90, built in the early 1900s, has been maintained and was used as a milking barn at one time. The original blueprint is framed.
Other improvements include a 28 x 40 shop, 24 x 96 machine shed, various other sheds and an underground concrete storage facility.
Spooner Creek, a spring fed creek plus its tributaries, and 2 springs originate on the property. Nicknamed Cold Springs Ranch, the domestic water supply and yard sprinkler system is provided by a natural spring which has been consistently producing 8-10 gallons of water per minute. Another spring in the timber provides wildlife water. A year-round pond flows continuously.
The current owners have operated this ranch primarily for wildlife habitat. Previous owner estimated carrying capacity to be between 35 and 70 animal units depending on their other agricultural operations.
The ranch is just 1 hour from Missoula, Montana, Montanas second largest city, and only minutes to all major services: hospitals, groceries, banking, retail therapy and dining.
The Bitterroot Valley is exceptionally well-situated for a multitude of recreational opportunities in an unusually moderate mountain climate. For the outdoor enthusiast, there are miles of world class rivers to explore, and mountain adventures await you. The largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states, lies just west of the ranch. There are downhill ski areas both to the north and south, with short waiting lines and reasonable lift fees. Unlimited hiking, backpacking, climbing, horseback riding trails abound as well.
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