Tranquillity Ranch

Seeley Lake, Montana
$7,500,000- SOLD!
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Art Ortenberg and Liz Claiborne's Montana retreat including 720 acres riddled with water features. Ponds, wetlands, and a private 20-acre lake make this ranch nonpareil. The main home, built of log and stone, is architecturally restored and is situated directly at water's edge where the mountains are captured in reflection. Other improvements include guest home, caretaker home, barn, and large riding arena. Two snowcapped mountains ranges straddle the ranch.

Tranquillity Ranch is located in Missoula County, Montana in the Swan River Valley. The property is accessed from Lindbergh Lake Road off Highway 83 about an hour and fifteen minute drive northeast of Missoula, Montana. The property is an equal driving distance from Glacier Park International Airport located near Kalispell. Delta and Northwest Airlines serve the Missoula and Glacier airports from their respective hubs in Salt Lake City and Minneapolis with several arrivals and departures each day. Missoula is also served by United Airlines (from Denver hub) and Glacier International by America West (US Airways). Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, and Big Sky Airlines provide in-state service and non-stop service to the West Coast. The owners have occasionally accessed Tranquillity using helicopter service available at the Missoula County Airport direct to a landing pad at the ranch. Service has always been expedient and to-date the comfort and quality have been excellent.

The Swan River Valley is a relatively narrow and heavily timbered valley sandwiched between two wilderness areas. The valley sits at the west edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, which gives backcountry enthusiasts access to over 1.5 million acres of wilderness. The Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness, comprised of almost 74,000 acres, towers over the west side of the valley. The valley is the definition of serene and the surrounding mountains rugged. The entire area is blessed with pristine, gin-clear lakes and streams. Mushers and dog-race fans relish Montana's premier "Race to the Sky" which begins and ends in this valley each February.

Condon, located about 10 minutes north of the ranch, can easily be missed in a blink but is, nonetheless, home to a friendly mercantile, Post Office and restaurant. The town of Seeley Lake, approximately less than a half-hour drive from the ranch, offers a grocery, numerous restaurants, golfing at the Double Arrow Resort and shopping. Forty-five minutes to the north lies the town of Bigfork, a quaint lake-front community with fine restaurants, live theater, bookstores, art galleries and a 27-hole golf course named #1 in Montana for six consecutive years.

Missoula (population: 57,000) is about 75 miles away and is the quintessential "college town", home to the University of Montana. One will find everything imaginable in the way of services there. With over 150 restaurants, numerous theaters and community programs, Missoula is truly a multicultural experience. Also 75 miles away is Kalispell, Montana. With a population of close to 15,000, Kalispell offers all necessary services and more. Whitefish, a mere 10 miles north of Kalispell is home to one of Montana's major ski resorts, Big Mountain.

Glacier Park, approximately 90 miles north of the ranch, is sometimes referred to as the "Crown of the Continent" and for good reason. The grandeur of this National Park is indescribable. The only road through the park is named "Going to the Sun" and one can only understand the aptness of its name upon driving to the crest of Logan Pass.

Summer is mild with temperatures only occasionally reaching into the 90's. Fall is arguably the most beautiful time of year with cold nights (30's) and cool days in the 50's and 60's. The tamaracks, quaking aspens and cottonwoods are vibrant with color in September and October. Very simply, winter is a wonderland.

Climate statistics for the period of record beginning in 1959 - present:

• Highest average daily high temperature: 79 (July)


• Lowest average daily low temperature: 13.5 degrees
  (January)


• Average Annual Snowfall (Total): 148 inches


• Average Snow depth: the deepest monthly average is 28 inches in February Average annual precipitation: 25 inches

Art Ortenberg and Liz Claiborne traveled through this area in the early 1980's and were so taken by the natural beauty of the area that they purchased 80 acres (made up of 4 individual but contiguous tracts) with numerous improvements they later completely remodeled to suit their taste. Years later they acquired another 640 acres ("Section 24") to the south. These 720 acres became known as "Tranquillity Ranch". In 1989, Liz and Art granted a deed of conservation easement to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to "preserve and protect in perpetuity...the open space and significantly natural features and values..., inclusive of the white-tailed deer summer habitat, critical wetlands and riparian values, and grizzly bear habitat."

Tranquillity Ranch is accessed near its north boundary off Lindbergh Lake Road through a remote controlled gate entrance that provides a secure entrance to the bulk of the ranch. Prior to entering the gate, the ranch's Lindbergh Lake frontage (including floating dock) can be accessed via a short walk or drive to the west. The barn is located a short distance inside the gate off to the left of the graveled driveway. The driveway then proceeds south past the "Caretaker Home" and alongside the western shore of Tranquillity Lake, a 20+ acre private lake owned entirely by the ranch. The magnificent Swan Range serves as the backdrop with the high peaks reflecting in the glass-like surface of the lake. The driveway very gradually rises to a circular drive in front of the main home's front door. Other structural improvements, including a guest home, shop/garage, riding arena, and tack room building, are loosely clustered in the vicinity of the main home forming a "compound". "Section 24", directly south of Tranquillity Lake, is largely made up of rolling, timbered hills riddled with water features including ponds, wetlands and springs. The lodgepole, tamarack, ponderosa and fir trees have been managed over the years to maintain a healthy forest. Tamaracks, the world's only deciduous conifer, provide beautiful fall color every year as do the quaking aspen groves spotted throughout the property. The historic Jocko Trail, an ancient Indian trail connecting the Swan Valley to the Mission Valley, traverses the property near its west boundary. Surrounding ownership is a combination of Forest Service, Nature Conservancy and private lands.

All residential improvements described herein are situated at water's edge to take in the brilliant view history's greatest author would struggle, if not find impossible, to adequately describe with words. All improvements are impeccably maintained by the current caretakers, Rip and Leanna Grubaugh. The Grubaughs are in their ninth year at the ranch and come highly recommended to any new owner.

Main Home:
The main home is a 2-story log home consisting of 7,200+ square feet of living space on the main floor, 1,640 square feet on the second floor and a basement utilizing 1,164 square feet. Prior to Art and Liz's purchase, this home was operated as a bed and breakfast with 7 bedrooms. Subsequent to their purchase, Liz and Art completely remodeled the home to accommodate their needs, creating a master suite on the second floor (accessed by a circular stairway) with a large dressing area, a "couples" bathroom with 2 showers, study, den with a large travertine fireplace and a bedroom with windows facing the lake and mountains. The main level has numerous seating areas, a large office overlooking the English garden, four bathrooms, a swimming pool (16' x 40') central to the great room with an attached solarium, guest bedroom, "habitat room", a commercial-grade kitchen connected to a dining room with fireplace overlooking Tranquillity Lake and the Swan Mountain Range. Sliding glass doorways exit to a huge outdoor tiled patio that is seamlessly attached to a series of wood decks cascading down to a floating dock. There are a total of five fireplaces in the home. Heat comes by way of a propane gas-powered forced-air furnace and electric baseboards. The 1,164 square foot basement is used for storage, utilities and laundry facilities. The crown of this home is a third story tower that provides access to a deck with a bird's eye view of the ranch.

Guest Home:
The guest home (900 square feet), built in 1979, is of log construction with a wood shake roof and includes 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, kitchen and a living room with a grand fireplace. The covered porch (240 square feet) spans the full width of the front of the building. Heat is provided by a propane gas forced-air system and electric baseboard.

Garage/Shop:
The oversized 4-car garage/shop measures 34' x 40' and has an attached greenhouse room for nurturing an early season garden. There is a guest bedroom and bathroom upstairs perfectly suited for a chef, visiting masseuse or overflow guests. This building has electric heat and also houses the 100 kilowatt, Kohler brand propane-powered generator that serves as backup power for the compound. The 3,000 gallon propane storage tank provides more than adequate capacity for extended periods, if necessary.

Indoor Riding Arena:
The large, wood-sided indoor riding arena with industrial lighting measures 60 x 160 feet (9,600 square feet) and has a chipped "rubberized" flooring surface. The arena also houses a utility room and bathroom.

Tack Shed:
This small, fully enclosed log building is located near the riding arena and is used for tack equipment.

Caretaker's Home:
The single story caretaker's home, consisting of 1,344 square feet, was built in 1992 and is made of log construction. Rooms include 2 bedrooms, 1½ baths, kitchen, laundry facility, and living room with a large travertine fireplace. The full basement (another 1,344 square feet) has a separate entrance via the attached carport and is used as a workshop, utility & storage area. The caretaker home has its own Kohler 30 Kilowatt generator for backup power in the event of a power outage. This home is heated with electric baseboards.

Barn:
The barn measures 40' by 43' and has an electrically heated utility room, 5 stalls, and plenty of room for hay storage. There is a portable generator for backup power.

The owners have used Tranquillity Ranch as a seasonal residence with horses for almost 20 years.

The property is home to a diverse array of wildlife including whitetail deer, bears (grizzly and black), mountain lions and elk. Huge numbers of whitetail can be seen daily. Fisheries are found in almost every direction from the ranch. There are a multitude of lakes and streams to explore nearby. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Area would take a lifetime to only see a fraction of all that it offers. Lindbergh Lake is an 815-acre lake (3 miles long) full of extremely clear and cool water making for great summer activities such as water skiing, fishing and boating.

Conservation Easement
There is a conservation easement in place held by the U.S. Department of Agriculture affecting all of Section 24 (640 acres). No conservation easement exists with respect to the balance of the property upon which all improvements are located. The easement allows the Grantor (owner and invitees) to place non-permanent camping facilities (tents, etc.) on the property for private recreational use and enjoyment. There is a very well maintained (by owner) road system throughout Section 24 as well as providing winter snowmobile and other vehicular use. This road system also makes for a very stable and enjoyable horseback ride. The easement specifically prohibits subdivision, construction of any structures and any impact on the critical wetlands. Members of the public are allowed to traverse the historic "Jocko Trail" which winds along the western boundary of the property but the public is, under no circumstances, allowed to camp overnight, build fires, use vehicles, etc. The public is only allowed to travel through the property and is further restricted from leaving the trail "except to avoid natural occurring obstacles or to view and examine flora and fauna in the immediate proximity to the trail." Full documentation is available upon request.

Our listing agreement provides that showings for this property require a minimum of 48 hours advance notice and all buyers must submit proof of financial qualifications.

Financing alternatives are available through Hall and Hall's lending services division. For rates, loan-to-value ratios and other current offering terms feel free to call Dave Roddy at (406) 656-7500.

There are four water rights associated with this property, as described below.

Water right C083987 is for a groundwater well that is used in two homes and on a lawn and garden area with a production flow rate of 20 GPM. This 280-foot-deep well was drilled in October 1992. The water right authorizes an annual volume in the two residences and lawn area for up to 2.03-acre feet (AF).

Water right C110803 is for the stock well used at the horse barn that was completed in January 2000. This 210-foot-deep well has a capacity of 10 GPM. The maximum volume that can be used for both stock watering and domestic needs is 1.89 AF.

Water right 30006346 was recently issued by the DNRC. This water right protects the groundwater use from a well that was drilled in November 2001. The well produces a flow rate of 20 GPM and is used in the caretaker's home and surrounding lawn area. The annual volume that can be used for domestic and lawn watering under this water right is listed as 2.30 AF.

Water right PO62682 is a right to pump from the natural lake on the property, which during spring flow conditions contributes water to Beaver Creek. The original water right was issued for usage in one home and a small area of lawn and garden year-round. The water was pumped from the lake at a rate of 25 GPM. However, the DNRC granted an authorization to change the purpose and place of use on 9/11/2000.

2005 Taxes: $19,306.15