TBD Hwy 64 , Chama, NM 87520(Rio Arriba County)

True mountain ranches in New Mexico are about as uncommon as polar bears in Albuquerque, but such rare gems do exist, most notably in the 11,655-acre High Country Ranch between Taos and Chama. With its dark spruce forests, alpine meadows, cold trout streams, and unspoiled vistas, High Country Ranch would easily qualify as a wilderness area anywhere in the West, but it remains 18 square miles of privately-held mountain grandeur recognized by the State of New Mexico for its unique conservation values. Those who seek a well-managed private big game hunting and fishing preserve or simply a vast chunk of landscape worthy of preservation as a remarkable Legacy Ranch, High Country Ranch stands at the summit of mountain ranches of the highest quality.

Ranging in elevations from about 9,000 feet to 10,600 feet, High Country Ranch is a cool retreat that has proven ideal for herds of elk and mule deer. Its largely undisturbed mix of spruce/fir forest, aspen forest, and open meadows is paradise for these big game animals, particularly in the summer and fall when the low country blisters. The cold waters of Rio Vallecitos and Jaroso Creeks combine for several miles of trout habitat and, along with springs and smaller tributaries, provide consistent water for wildlife as well.

Never extensively developed since the 1800s when it was part of the Tierra Amarilla Land Grant, High Country Ranch has been enjoyed primarily as a hunting and grazing property. About half of the ranch borders Carson National Forest and thus is very private. It receives 49 bull tags and numerous cow tags annually, and mule deer tags are easy to obtain. For variety, black bear and grouse may also be hunted, and fly fishing in the streams can be had for brown trout, brook trout, and even an occasional native Rio Grande cutthroat. Its income potential as a hunting property is obvious, but summer cattle grazing can provide supplemental income as well, with 300 cows supported historically throughout the summer. Water rights from Rio Vallecitos allow for irrigation along portions of the river corridor.

Recognized for its exceptional conservation values, High Country Ranch is protected by a conservation easement held by the State of New Mexico. This means that this precious piece of landscape will largely remain as it is for the sake of the watershed and ecological health in perpetuity. The exceptions are five building envelopes, none of which have yet been developed. The conservation easement permits existing uses, including commercial and recreational hunting and fishing, and cattle grazing.

Although the recreational values on High Country Ranch itself are exceptional, it is not far from many other quality attractions. It is located just south of Highway 64, which gives access to Hopewell Lake, El Vado Lake and the Chama River valley the west, and Taos, just over an hour to the east. Taos is a community of national historic importance, and is home to a regional airport, downhill skiing, and a notable arts community. In addition, Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, is only about two hours to the south.

In many other places in the West, mountain properties such as High Country Ranch have long been subdivided, and have lost any sense of continuity with their wilderness heritage and undisturbed wildlife habitat. Here, however, remains an almost-unheard of opportunity to continue careful stewardship of a part of creation that has been largely unchanged for centuries. While maintaining a legacy is overused in many contexts, here among the rolling mountainsides of High Country Ranch, maintaining a legacy fits perfectly.