Available Archives - Walker & Martin Ranch Sales

Mountain View Farm

Posted on: April 19th, 2023 by

Distant gentle mountains surround Las Nutrias – the little historic community whose southern edge just touches Mountain View Farm. Nestled in the Rio Grande Valley south of Albuquerque, this place along the river feels timeless. The architecture of the Las Nutrias San Ysidro Catholic Mission church, origin 1860, best represents the character of this charming place. The villages original name was La Vega de Las Nutrias meaning Meadow of the Beavers. The farm’s 320 acres are mainly cultivated ground, with water rights recognized as pre-1907, the oldest designation New Mexico’s State Engineer identifies. This block of water (533 annual consumptive acre-feet) is a lot of water! And in the desert southwest, where water is life, this is a remarkable opportunity.

Location. Location. Location. This farm is 50 miles south of Albuquerque via Interstate 25, less than an hour from the Albuquerque Sunport. Moreover, friendly, growing Los Lunas lies between the farm and Albuquerque. To name a few employers, Los Lunas is home to a Facebook Data Center Campus, a Walmart Distribution Center, and a University Workforce Training Center. Then thirty miles south of the farm, you find the charming town of Socorro with its respected college, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, and its 18-hole public golf course.

Currently, irrigation water is delivered via Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD) ditches, and a dairy, 5 miles away in Vequita, leases the farm for $80,000 a year. Planted in Sorghum Sudangrass, the crop is utilized by the dairy that is milking four-thousand cows. The dairy farmer told the broker that the farm’s water right is interesting to him because it could also be extracted from wells if desired, not just delivered from MRGCD ditches, which could be very advantageous. The seller is in the process of restoring an old irrigation well on the farm.

Lying in New Mexico Game Unit 14, the farm is home to dove, quail, pheasant, and turkey. Waterfowl use the irrigation ditches and flyway heavily including ducks, geese, snow geese, and magnificent sandhill cranes. There is also an annual depredation elk hunt in the Rio Grande Bosque and the farm is awarded tags.

Socorro County living is comfortable thanks to a mild, dry (low humidity), high-elevation (4600 feet) climate. The county boasts the largest wildlife refuge in New Mexico, Sevilleta National, which is immediately south of the farm, and one of the top birding destinations in the country, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which is just south of Socorro.

Rancho San Ignacio

Posted on: November 17th, 2022 by

Price Reduced! Rancho San Ignacio is a historic jewel in the heart of Northern New Mexico. The property consists of 3374 +/- deeded acres bordering the Santa Fe National Forest for nearly two miles. Situated at the base of the iconic Hermits Peak, the adobe hacienda compound frames a spectacular backdrop. The Sapello River runs for 2 miles through the property, providing habitat for brown trout and water for the abundant wildlife including elk, mule deer, and black bears. An acequia supplies irrigation for 103 acres of fertile farmland. Four miles of the Rito Colorado, Deer Creek, and Rito Chavez meander through the ranch.

Originally purchased by Richard Pritzlaff in 1935, with subsequent additional purchases, the ranch was the headquarters of Mr. Pritzlaffs world-renowned Arabian horse breeding program and his extensive art collection. The ranch was often a gathering place for area socialites and artists, including Georgia OKeefe. The walls of the 1300 square-foot bunkhouse are adorned with spectacular murals painted in the 1940s by the famous native American artist Ma Pe Wi and meticulously restored in 2008.

The compound consists of the 4400 square-foot hacienda, 1700 square-foot guest house, and the mural-adorned bunkhouse, each over 100 years old. The improvements were extensively renovated in 2005. Theres also a large shop/garage and carport. Three old wooden barns add charm to the setting under the dramatic backdrop of Hermits Peak.

The Eason Ranch

Posted on: November 4th, 2022 by

The Eason Ranch is a turn-key offering of 16 deeded sections (10,240 acres) plus one section of State lease (640 acres). Gently rolling hills characterize the topography of this grazing operation carrying 163 cow/calf pairs and ten bulls. The views are big and pretty, with purple mountains in the distance.

The seller runs trophy antelope hunts (pronghorn), helping an average of seven hunters harvest big bucks each year. Most of the bucks taken are 75-inches and over, some approaching an 80-inch Boone & Crocket Score. Hunters are fed and housed on the ranch and pay $3,000 to $4,000 per tag for 3-day hunts. Mule deer, elk, and oryx round out the big game animals that frequent this high-plains ranch (6,300 feet), but the current owner does not focus on hunting them.

Located 6 miles east of Claunch, the headquarters (south parcel) has a brick, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, plus a 30-foot x 60-foot metal shop. There is a large hay shed, an older wooden horse barn with six stalls, and a tack room. A big set of working pens and scales sit near the hay shed. One well (500 feet) and two storage tanks feed multiple drinkers in roughly six different pastures and two traps. These ten sections are in New Mexico Game Unit 18 (rifle friendly).

The ranchs second piece (north parcel) is four miles north of Claunch and has six deeded sections along with the State Lease land. There is also one well here (900 feet) and two storage tanks feeding multiple drinkers in multiple pastures on this parcel. Both wells on the ranch have new pumps. These seven sections are in New Mexico Game Unit 38.

New Mexico property taxes are low, and ag exemptions bring them down lower. The seller believes they have all the mineral rights and will convey what they have. The ranch is enrolled in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which provided $58,000 in the recent year. As of mid-August, five inches of rain had fallen on the ranch, and the range is in excellent condition. The sellers have a local cattle partner running the grazing operation who owns one-third of the livestock. The owners two-thirds of the cattle are included in the asking price.

Chupadera Ranch

Posted on: November 4th, 2022 by

Chupadera Ranch is 37,644 acres of grazing land characterized by gently rolling hills with pretty purple mountain views. Lying about 40 minutes east of Interstate 25, the ranch is 54% deeded acreage, 36% state lease, and 10% BLM lease all in Socorro County. Rated to carry 580 cow-calf pairs, it also boasts the attraction of quality hunting (GMU 18) for elk, deer, pronghorn, and Oryx. A cattleman leases the ranch grazing for approximately $10,000 a month. Further, a $35,665 annual lease with White Sands Missile Range for fly-over and evacuation provides additional payments if evacuation is called for.

Currently, the ranch is conservatively stocked with 400 pairs. Moreover, the monsoon rains have been excellent this year, and the range is very healthy! There are five wells on the property, and water is distributed to a variety of drinkers. The drinkers attract wildlife, are thick with dove, hold coveys of quail, and anchor big-game-animal movement across the ranch. The owner has kept hunting to a minimum but can issue Landowner Tags for elk, deer, and Oryx at their discretion. Oryx are visually stunning, and good populations like this are rare. Free-ranging African Oryx in the United States are unique to New Mexico and can be hunted year-round. Additionally, the ranch receives four pronghorn (antelope) tags each year.

Romero Hills Ranch

Posted on: October 23rd, 2022 by

Romero Hills Ranch is 2288+/- deeded acres of pristine forested land near the charming village of Mora, New Mexico. The Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire ripped through Northern New Mexico in the spring of 2022, destroying thousands of acres of forest, but this ranch was miraculously spared. Healthy pinons and large Ponderosas cover the peaks and canyons. Healthy rangeland covers the lower elevations. Abundant wildlife, including large elk, mule deer, and black bears, wander this diverse landscape. Spectacular views of the Mora River Valley to the west and Hermits Peak to the south.

Romero Hills Ranch has excellent opportunities for horseback riding and endless hiking. Historical petroglyphs adorn several large boulders and caves. Located in Game Management Unit 46. Elevations range from 7100 ft to 8400 ft.

Romero Hills Ranch is private, yet not isolated. It is 35 minutes from Las Vegas, one hour from Taos, 90 minutes from Santa Fe, and only 30 minutes to skiing at nearby Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort. Morphy Lake State Park is only 18 minutes away, with trout fishing and canoeing in a beautiful setting. Coyote Creek State Park is 22 minutes away and is an excellent fly-fishing destination.

Enjoy cool summers with the convenience of easy year-round access via NM 518. Romero Hills Ranch is an ideal location to build your dream home with endless views of the Mora River Valley or build a private off-grid cabin deep in the forest with views of the iconic Hermits Peak.

Mesa Springs Ranch

Posted on: September 12th, 2022 by

Mesa Springs Ranch is 4,488 acres of land at the base of historic Glorieta Mesa, only 45 minutes from historic Santa Fe. A beautifully remodeled 7,435 square foot custom adobe hacienda blends perfectly with its environment and is the jewel of the property. One of the largest contiguous tracts in the area, the ranch has 3,888 deeded and 600 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lease acres. It borders Santa Fe National Forest for six miles along its western edge. The heart of this beautiful ranch are the springs in Manzanares Canyon that provide much-needed water for wildlife. Elk and deer frequent this property, along with bears, coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. Eagles and hawks use the Mesa Edge to search for prey.
The topography consists of meadows and hills covered by pinon and juniper trees. Large ponderosas are found in the higher elevations approaching the Mesa. The grama grass rangeland has been grazed only sparingly and is in excellent condition. Rugged canyons cross through the property, dotted by numerous ruins of old homesteads and Native American artifactsan indicator of the extensive human history on this ranch. The elevation ranges from 6,100 feet to 7,200 feet. Horse enthusiasts will appreciate the trails from the property that connect directly to Glorieta Mesa within the Santa Fe National Forest.
The large adobe hacienda provides an inviting place to relax with friends and family in a private and spectacular setting. The adobe home consists of four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms. A lovely chefs kitchen and four kiva fireplaces contribute to the charming atmosphere. In addition to the generous living spaces, the home offers a game room, sunroom/greenhouse, and office.
The hacienda amenities include radiant floor heat, refrigerated air, flagstone and tile floors, plaster walls, and viga and latilla ceilings, offering New Mexico authenticity.
The outdoor living spaces provide expansive views of the Pecos River Valley below and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance, making entertaining easy under the portal.

Rio Grande del Norte

Posted on: April 5th, 2021 by

Rio Grande Del Norte is 810 deeded acres containing 3/4 mile of the Rio Grande River. It is a gorgeous canyon setting with elevations at 7,750 dropping down to 7,400 at the river bottom. A private trailhead (shared) provides rare river access into the gorge. Wild yet accessible, the ranch offers unique fishing for large brown trout and northern pike. Deer, elk, and other wildlife traverse the property constantly. A great variety of waterfowl utilizes the river heavily. In 2016 when the owner of an adjoining 275 acres applied, they received one private lands rifle-hunt deer tag.

The ranch abuts vast public lands on two sides. A large tract of BLM makes up the western boundary (across the river), then to the south, the 243,000 acre Rio Grande del Norte National Monument sprawls into New Mexico. Massive, stunning 360-degree views take in distant snow-capped mountains, and Ute Mountain rises in the southern foreground begging to be climbed. A historic gauging station with a cable car still hangs over this vital watershed. This is an exciting, charismatic live water environment that sings out the majestic nature of the Rio Grande – a river wildlife corridor that reaches 1,900 miles across three states! A solitary but easy-to-access location, the property is less than one hour from Taos, New Mexico, with gas and groceries available in nearby Costilla, New Mexico.

Costilla County is 95% privately owned. Land trusts and the BLM are very interested in expanding protected lands here. Large private river parcels are not common, so this one presents an opportunity for conservation. Currently, however, there are no conservation easements or restrictions. It is just a dramatic, private get-away where one can fish, explore, hunt, and hike to their hearts content. Bring your pop-up, Fifth Wheel, or rock-star bus. The county-maintained dirt roads are pretty good. There are also some off-grid homes in the immediate area.

Much is written about the Rio Grande Gorge, but in The Last Beautiful Days of Autumn, Milagro Beanfield War author John Nichols reflects, I experience a great lust to disappear into the Rio Grande Gorge, there to spend afternoons among basalt boulders, plying the low clear river for trout. Everything physical seems to come together, in my body and on the surrounding land. Each perfect day, I know, is going to be the last beautiful day of autumn.