Alice Creek Ranch

Lincoln, Montana
$5,800,000

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The Alice Creek Ranch consists of 2,971± acres located 13 miles northeast of Lincoln, Montana with unobstructed views of the Scapegoat Wilderness, Lewis and Clark Pass and the Alice Creek Basin. The property is bordered and virtually surrounded by public land holdings and large private holdings. The area is a magnet for wildlife with the property itself serving as important late and early season habitat for elk, mule deer and whitetail amid a mix of aspen, conifer, open meadows, and wetlands. In addition to quality small-stream fishing located on the ranch, the upper Blackfoot River is within five miles of the Blackfoot, providing the fly-fisherman quick access to legendary trout waters. Scenery, privacy and abundant wildlife are the hallmark of this great property.

Alice Creek Ranch is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Lincoln. From Lincoln, travel east 9.5 miles on Montana State Highway 200 and 5 miles north on the gravel of Alice Creek Road. Lincoln provides basic goods and services, including several restaurants, service stations and a grocery store. The property is located approximately 65 and 85 miles respectively from commercial air services in Helena, the state capital, and Missoula, home to the University of Montana. Both Helena and Missoula provide good urban amenities, including fine dining, theater, more extensive shopping and all other major services. Additionally, the city of Great Falls is located 80 miles to the northeast, with its full complement of commercial air service, goods and other services. Lincoln has a public airport with a 4,200’ lighted runway.

The Blackfoot Valley is undeniably one of the most highly sought-after locations in the northern Rockies. Private lands are in the hands of some of the most prominent and ardent conservationists in the world and, as a result, it has maintained its rural integrity and character. Countless ranches in the valley have been placed under conservation easement, forever protecting them from development. In fact, this valley is the home of the very first donated conservation easement in the state and the valley has led the way in the conservation arena ever since. The Blackfoot Valley sits at the southern edge of the Bob Marshall/Scapegoat Wilderness complex, which gives backcountry enthusiasts access to over one and one-half million acres of wilderness.

The ranch is also located on the route followed eastward by Meriwether Lewis (William Clark took another route to maximize their new discoveries) on his return to St. Louis in 1806 and was also the route known as the Going to the Buffalo Road used for centuries by the Salish and Kootenai tribes of Native Americans. Other historical uses in the valley include a variety of pioneering cattle ranches, logging operations and a Mecca for fly fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The Northern Continental Divide represents the second largest semi-intact ecosystem within the lower 48 states, right behind the Greater Yellowstone area. A full complement of native species can be expected to visit the ranch, either as year-round residents or through migratory or dispersal patterns.

Average high temperatures in the summer ranges from 71° in June, 81° in July, and 81° in August, with average lows in the low 40s. June usually has the most rainfall with an average of 2.2 inches and an annual average of 18± inches. The average high temperature in the winter ranges from 31° in December, 30° in January, and 46° in February, with average lows in the low teens. The average snowfall per month in December and January is 19 inches.

Alice Creek Ranch is approached from the south on Alice Creek Road (a public road) near the ranch’s southeastern corner. Alice Creek itself flows in a southerly direction on the east side of Alice Creek Road. The valley is roughly a ¼ mile wide with timbered ridges on either side. The creek forms numerous wetlands throughout the length of the valley and Alice Creek flows through the ranch for well over two miles. All improvements are loosely clustered and located east of Alice Creek Road approximately ¾ mile from the south boundary. On the west side of Alice Creek Road directly opposite of the private driveway is another private ranch road that accesses the other primary drainage on the ranch, Tom’s Gulch, as well as another large basin in the southwestern reaches of the ranch. Tom’s Gulch drains in a southerly direction parallel to Alice Creek before it turns to the east and flows into Alice Creek. The gulch is only slightly narrower than the valley through which Alice Creek flows and is also bound on the east and west by timbered ridges. There is an extensive network of roads that make virtually every corner of the ranch easily accessible.

Alice Creek Ranch has an extensive collection of tasteful and useful improvements including the following:

Main Home: The owner’s home is log home built in 1998 that includes two bedrooms and two baths. There is a river-rock fireplace and a large family room. The main floor square footage is 2,392. There is a large wrap-around deck. The home has tall windows with expansive views of the valley.

Guest Home: “The Catwalk” was built of logs in 1998 and was remodeled in 2005. It includes two bedrooms and one bath with a large family room and river-rock fireplace. The main floor consists of 1,200 square feet. There is a view over the trout pond towards Alice Creek and Lewis and Clark Pass.
Barn: Built in 1998 and measures 52’x32’ and includes five stalls, tack room, bunk room and hay storage.

Caretaker’s Home: Wood frame home built in 1940 and remodeled in 1998. Two bedrooms and two baths. The first floor square footage is 1,293 square feet and the second floor is 576 square feet.

Barn: Built in 1940 and includes 1,240 square feet.
Numerous sheds and structures for vehicle, firewood and equipment storage. There is also a small hunting camp with a few small log cabins.

The ranch is located “off the grid” with propane, solar and wind power providing all the necessary utility needs. Internet and television are accessible via satellite. The winter’s intensive snowfall transforms the landscape into a wonderland but the ranch is easily accessible year-round with the use of the ranch’s “highway-grade” plowing and grading equipment (included with sale).

Alice Creek Ranch has been operated historically as a cattle ranch and, at one time, as a year-round operating guest ranch. A new owner will likely want to continue a summer grazing plan for up to 150 pairs (June – October) and operate the ranch as a private retreat though it is well-suited for a guest ranch if one should be so inclined.

Although there is no irrigation on the ranch, it is well watered for livestock grazing and is best suited for seasonal grazing by a lessee.

Most of the ranch is timbered with conifers and is currently operated under a sustainable timber management plan.

Because of its strategic elevation and the diverse mix of habitat types, including aspen, dense conifer stands, open meadows and water, the Alice Creek Ranch provides exceptionally high-quality habitat for big game, including elk, moose, mule deer and whitetail. Elk use the area in the spring for calving, where early green-up allows them to forage on abundant native grasses. Dense cover provides security and the mild temperatures created by lower elevations than the surrounding country further make it an ideal location for rearing young. A wide variety of other Montana native species also utilize the area, including bears, wolves and assorted small game.

Alice Creek is a quality small-stream fishery for cutthroat trout. The willow-lined creek meanders wildly through the meadows providing abundant habitat with deeply undercut banks and pools. There is also a large trout pond that provides easy fishing for dinner or sport.

Elevations range from 5,200 to 6,200 feet above sea level.

2,971±

Cash at closing.

Lincoln and the surrounding area offer one of the best locations for the active outdoor enthusiast. Fly-fishing on the Blackfoot and its larger tributaries is extraordinarily good. The salmon fly hatch in mid-June is especially famous, but quality dry-fly fishing occurs from April through October. The fall offers some of the best big- game hunting in Montana directly on the property and in the surrounding national forest and wilderness areas. Winter provides an abundance of over-the-snow options ranging from snow-machine trails covering hundreds of miles around the Lincoln and upper Blackfoot area, while the Great Divide Ski Area, less than 35 miles away, provides the alpine enthusiast the conveniences of lift-served skiing.

Property taxes for 2008 were $9,255.42.

MANAGEMENT SERVICES – Hall and Hall’s Management Division has a very clear mission – To represent the owner and to ensure that his or her experience is a positive one. Services are customized to suit the owner’s needs. They often begin with the recruiting and hiring of a suitable ranch manager or caretaker and are followed by the development of a management or operating plan along with appropriate budgets. Ongoing services include bill paying, ranch oversight, and consulting services as needed. Even the most sophisticated and experienced ranch owners appreciate the value of a management firm representing them and providing advice on local area practices and costs. Wes Oja and Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 or Randy Clavel at (303) 861-8282 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call.

RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT SERVICES – Increasingly the value of a ranch is measured by the quality of each and every one of its resources. Coincidentally the enhancement of a ranch’s resources also increases the pleasure that one derives from the ownership of a ranch. Our management services have included the assessment of everything from wildlife habitat to bird habitat to water resources and fisheries and the subsequent oversight of the process involved with the enhancement of these resources. Wes Oja or Jerome Chvilicek at (406) 656-7500 are available to describe and discuss these services in detail and welcome your call.

SPECIALIZED LENDING - Over the past 59 years Hall and Hall has created a legacy by efficiently providing capital to the intermountain west. In addition to traditional farm and ranch loans, we specialize in understanding the unique aspects of placing loans on ranches where value may be influenced by recreational features, location and improvements and repayment may come from outside sources. Our extensive experience and strong relationships with our lenders allows us to quickly tell you whether we can provide the required financing.

Competitive Pricing • Flexible Terms • Efficient Processing
In-House Appraisals • Common Sense Underwriting
Dave Roddy • (406) 656-7500
Mike Hall, Judy Chirila, or Randy Clavel • (303) 861-8282
Monte Lyons • (806) 698-6882