Contract Pending Archives - Walker & Martin Ranch Sales

Cottonwood Springs Ranch

Posted on: August 22nd, 2021 by Greg Walker

Cottonwood Springs is a private riverfront ranch consisting of 1536 deeded acres with 2 1/3 miles of Pecos River running through a scenic canyon. Multiple springs provide constant flow that creates an exceptional fishery for largemouth and smallmouth bass. There is rare 4WD road down into the 250 foot deep canyon. The river forms nice pools around giant boulders and is lined with mature cottonwoods. Dramatic side canyons also hold spring-fed pools in their bottoms. Historically this ranch is the southwest corner of the Jose Perea Land Grant which got contested after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago. The grant was held until it could be recognized thus the explanation for the many stone ruins and long runs of old stacked stone fences on the property. For centuries prior, Native Americans chipped arrowheads on the protected ledges overlooking the river making for great arrowhead hunting. This is beautiful canyon-edge grass-country interspersed w/ Mesquite, Pinon, Juniper, Oak, and Cottonwood accented with rock formations. Fabulous bass fishing and turkey hunting with some deer, quail, and waterfowl. Quality water like this is hard to find especially in Eastern New Mexico. Easy access via Interstate 40, one & 1/2 hours from Santa Fe or Albuquerque, two & 1/2 hours from Amarillo, and 10 minutes from Santa Rosa.

Two Rivers Ranch

Posted on: May 2nd, 2021 by

CONTRACT PENDING! Two Rivers Ranch has frontage on the Rio Grande and Conejos rivers. Moreover, the unique Conejos diversion flows through the property, as do irrigation ditches and a special warm spring. All the water creates a wetland environment and makes this ranch a true oasis. Just reduced $100,000 August 2021!

Irrigated hay meadows (water rights) produce 300 tons of native hay and provide fall and winter grazing. Tree-lined riparian areas shelter and protect livestock making good calving ground for cattle and elk. There’s a 15 gpm well so cows can stay off the Rio Grande. Carrying capacity is about 100 pairs. 7.75 shares of the Los Sauces Ditch Company are attached. An adjoining neighbor is currently leasing the ranch.

Hosting populations of Mule Deer and Elk, and lying in the Central Flyway for Waterfowl, hunting is a big attraction to the area. Keep in mind that the Rio Grande is a wildlife corridor that stretches nearly 1900 miles! Located in Colorado Game Unit 81, with Game Unit 83 across the Rio, hunting opportunities are vast. Two of 4 Elk-rifle-seasons are over-the-counter licenses, as are either-sex archery tags. Deer hunting is all draw but with good chances for tags. The Land Owner Preference Program also provides two applications for landowner permits.

The Rio Grande is known to have fish year-round including trout, bass, catfish, carp, and northern pike. When the broker made a recent trip with a local guide to fish the property, they were pleasantly surprised to catch northern pike in the Conejos diversion, as well as in the Rio Grande. Some fishermen enthusiastically pursue Northern Pike, and particularly at the confluence of the Conejos and Rio Grande, but pike can be hard on trout populations. Notwithstanding, Two Rivers Ranch is located in the heart of year-round renowned trout fishing, with New Mexico’s Rio Grande Gorge for spring and winter and the Conejos River Canyon for summer and fall fishing, both a short drive from the property.

This property is surrounded by open space and public lands. Adjoining on the east is the new San Luis Hills State Wildlife Area with 17,000+ acres! On the west, there are 5,000 acres plus of BLM that adjoin. Moreover, conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited and the Rio Grande Headwaters Trust hold significant conservation easements on surrounding private lands that will limit development and subdivision in the area.

The broker (or his game camera) has seen bobcat, porcupine, raccoons, skunk, coyote, elk, and deer. There are beaver dams along the waterways and bird nests in the trees. Bald eagles winter on the property, and one sees golden eagles, hawks, and owls. There are songbirds, snakes, reptiles, and amphibians. Geese and ducks take off and land while celebrated Sandhill Crane fill the skies. Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is 17 miles to the north with a visitor center sure to stimulate the birdwatcher in anyone.

The ranch is in two separate parcels located a quarter-mile apart. The western parcel is 796 acres of which 200 are irrigable. This west parcel boasts a mile of both sides of the Conejos meandering through a wonderful Cottonwood Bosque. The west parcel also holds the precious warm springs.

The eastern parcel is 372 acres. The productive hay meadows are here and wetlands form around them. The treasured Rio Grande runs along this parcel for 1.25 miles, and both sides of the unique Conejos diversion flow through it for a mile. Willows and cottonwoods line the diversion banks providing cover that animals use to move from the Rio Grande onto the ranch.

Regarding the warm spring (Dexter Springs), temperatures can get cold in the San Luis Valley. However the spring is a constant temperature and doesn’t freeze, keeping the river accessible all winter and concentrating wildlife here. It is a unique micro-environment that expands the biodiversity of the area. There is a perpetual duck hunting lease on 200 acres at the warm springs area.

There is a conservation easement in place on the ranch that is favorable to continued farming and ranching, and opportunities abound to enhance wildlife habitat in cooperation with federal and state wildlife agencies. An owner has a choice of two designated building sites. Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust holds the conservation easement.

This offering is anchored in agriculture production and has clear appreciation opportunities based on fabulous water resources and an unbelievable concentration of wildlife. The ranch is owned by Western Rivers Conservancy and offered at $1,600,000.

Cottonwood Springs Ranch – North

Posted on: July 11th, 2020 by

Under Contract! Cottonwood Springs North is a private riverfront ranch with 1078 acres. 2 miles of Pecos River run through a scenic canyon. Rare road into river bottom. The river forms nice pools around giant boulders and is lined with mature cottonwoods. Dramatic side canyons also hold spring-fed pools in their bottoms. Historically this ranch is the southwest corner of the Jose Perea Land Grant which got contested after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildago. The grant was held until it could be recognized thus the explanation for the many stone ruins and long runs of old stacked stone fences on the property. For centuries prior, Native Americans chipped arrowheads on the protected ledges overlooking the river making for great arrowhead hunting. This is beautiful canyon-edge grass-country interspersed w/ Mesquite, Pinon, Juniper, Oak, and Cottonwood accented with rock formations. Fabulous bass fishing and turkey hunting with some deer, quail, and waterfowl. The Pecos River tailwater below Santa Rosa Lake is an excellent warm water fishery. Quality water like this is hard to find especially in Eastern New Mexico. Easy access via Interstate 40, one & 1/2 hours from Santa Fe or Albuquerque, two & 1/2 hours from Amarillo, and 10 minutes from Santa Rosa. $850,000