Lima Peaks Ranch

Dillon, Montana
$14,900,000- SOLD!
View Version (no map)

View Slideshow

View Video

Nestled beneath the 11,000-foot Lima Peaks, this mountain ranch features true end-of-the-road privacy. The exceptional-quality, 9,880± square-foot residence overlooks a private lake and is reminiscent of an exclusive European resort accented with walnut, stone, marble, copper and glass. Only 15 minutes from a jet airstrip, the ranch has a complete set of ranch buildings including a handcrafted log home, custom indoor horse arena, manager’s home, private lakes and a fish hatchery. The property includes deeded, State of Montana, BLM land and adjoining Beaverhead National Forest grazing allotment for a total of 19,522± acres. A pivot-irrigated hay base and productive rangeland allow this Shangri-La to operate as a great ranch.

The Lima Peaks ranch is located in southwestern Montana directly south of the town of Lima in the Red Rock River Valley. The Idaho border is approximately 5 miles south of the ranch, and Yellowstone National Park is 60 miles east. Dillon is 50 miles northwest, and Bozeman, Montana is about a 2-hour drive to the north. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is about a 2 1/2-hour drive to the southeast. Dillon offers a complete range of services, including a fully equipped hospital, numerous banks, legal services and even a Patagonia outlet store. Dillon is also a college town with several good "watering holes," as well as equipment dealers and restaurants. Close to the ranch is Lima, with a few restaurants, motels, a school, churches and other services. Only 8 miles away is the small town of Dell, home to a general store and the attractive Stock Yard Inn with its excellent restaurant. Dell also features a beacon-lighted 7,000 foot paved jet airstrip with private fuel depot. The airstrip was originally built for refueling aircraft on their way to the Pacific during World War II. It was fully reconstructed and brought up to modern standards about fifteen years ago.

The climate is considered relatively mild for Montana with average precipitation in the valley of 12" - 14". This is not heavy snow country, which is probably why the Shoshone, Bannock and Flathead tribes used the area before the arrival of Europeans. In 1805, Lewis and Clark passed through the region. It was here that they abandoned their boats to cross the Great Divide. Shortly thereafter, mountain men arrived to harvest the plentiful beaver.

The Lima Peaks Ranch has superb residential and ranch operating improvements and the owner's residence is phenomenal! It has been constructed using the finest materials throughout, and is located in a setting that is totally private and spectacular. The residence was designed by the world renowned architectural firm of Voorsanger & Associates, P.C. and was featured in Architectural Digest with a five page spread.

Bimatt Springs Compound:

The manager's home has 4 bedrooms, 2 baths, and was completely remodeled in 2000 with hardwood floors throughout. There is 2-car garage with a bathroom.

Fish hatchery: This is a self-contained ranch fish hatchery, which is fed by two wells. The hatchery is used to stock the fishing lakes on the ranch.

Horse arena: A 200' by 100' indoor riding/roping arena with lounge, bathroom, shower, tack room, 14 horse stalls, horse shower, and commercial washer/dryer facility. There are also adjoining paddocks and a round corral.

Christopher Unit:

Residence: The handcrafted log home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. There are corrals and a storage area for the resident's convenience. Across the creek is a one-room cabin.

Emerald Lake:

Main residence: The house is set at the head of the valley and commands a panoramic view of 11,000 foot peaks and Emerald Lake. It is accessed by a beautifully contoured gravel road, which winds up the Birch Creek Valley for 5 miles. This one-of-a-kind home is 9,880 square feet of superb craftsmanship with incredible windows, walnut walls, floors, and hand-carved 8' doors and copper roofing. The exterior and interior walls and fireplaces are constructed of garnet imbedded granite. The master bedroom, with separate his and her marble walled bathrooms, enjoys amazing views of Lima Peaks and the lake. There are also state-of-the-art climate control and media systems. The living room boasts the largest single pane of glass in North America, 33' x 10', bringing Lima Peaks and Emerald Lake right into the house. This home has 7 bedrooms, each with private bath. The owners have spared no expense in using the finest materials available. The house is very well lighted through the use of beautiful and creatively placed windows. The rock and woodwork complement the natural world of mountain sunrises, shadows and moonlight.

Until recently, the Lima Peaks Ranch, was operated as part of a larger ranch. On its own, we estimate it will carry in excess of 7,000 animal unit months (AUMs), probably best utilized by running yearling cattle during the summer months. One could run at least 850 yearlings for 5 months and perhaps up to 1,000 yearlings in wetter years.

The Lima Peaks Ranch is home to almost all of the big game species in the Rocky Mountains including elk, moose, mountain goats, deer and antelope, as well as bear, and numerous non-game species. There are also 4 superb trout lakes on the property.

These lakes are spring-fed and have been carefully constructed or enhanced for the maintenance of high-quality water and high -quality trout populations. They have been engineered to optimize fresh water flow and oxygen production to ensure healthy trout. Five pound rainbow trout are not uncommon. Hunting and fishing on the ranch are excellent.

The opportunities to ride horseback or hike and climb are endless. With big open grassy ridges and alpine terrain above, it is doubtful that all the various rides and hikes could be accomplished in less than five years of diligent pursuit.

6,999 +/- Deeded

The Lima Peaks Ranch is comprised of deeded, BLM (Bureau of Land Management), and state of Montana land, and enjoys the use of an adjoining U.S. Forest Service grazing allotment. All the land lies in one large block running from the highway to the mountains; approximately 8 miles long and 4 miles wide.

Deeded Land: +/- 290 acres pivot irrigated
+/- 60 acres improved range
+/- 6,649 acres native range
Total Deeded Land +/- 6,999 acres

BLM: +/- 1,820 acres
State: +/- 3,773 acres

Beaverhead National Forest,
Lima Peaks Allotment: +/- 6,930 acres
Total Acres +/-19,522 acres

Grazing Allotments:
BLM:
Lima Peaks: 264 cow/calf pairs 7/11 - 10/15
Truax: 19 cow/calf pairs 7/1 - 11/1

Forest Service; Lima Peaks:
East Creek: 475 yearlings 7/1 - 9/15
Dutch Hollow: 475 yearlings 7/1 - 9/15

State of Montana:
Leases # 9723
# 9724
# 9726
# 9727

The ranch pays for 1,121 animal unit months (AUMs) on these state leases.

The Lima Peaks Ranch is exceptional. All of the ranch acreage and improvements are within one contiguous block running from the highway almost to the mountain tops, with a jet strip just 20 minutes away. The ranch is located near some of Montana's most famous fishing streams, and just over 2 hours from Bozeman. It is large and private with a stunning owner's residence, superb lake fishing, and incredible views. It offers outstanding recreational amenities on a true Montana mountain ranch.

*The sellers wish to retain lifetime fishing privileges in return for maintenance of the hatchery and stocking of the lakes.

*The sellers wish to retain lifetime fishing privileges in return for maintenance of the hatchery and stocking of the lakes.

* Hall and Hall would like to acknowledge the outstanding professional photography of Gordon Gregory Photography. (Contact information is available upon request.)

The 2007 taxes were $22,393.73