Property Description
INTRODUCTION
Within the shadows of the Absaroka Mountains lies the West Boulder River Getaway in McLeod, MT. Consisting of 87± acres and bordering the West Boulder River for approximately .3± miles on its southern boundary, this offering provides an abundance of recreational pursuits in a park like environment. The modest but spacious 3,200± SF house includes 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and is situated in a private setting overlooking the river. Associated outbuildings include a large heated and plumbed shop, a calving barn, and other storage sheds. Located a few hundred yards upstream from the confluence of the Main and West Boulder Rivers the fishing and river activities are endless. With acreage rarely available in the West Boulder and Boulder River Valleys this is an opportunity to enjoy one of Montana’s most beautiful and scenic areas.
ACREAGE
West Boulder river Getaway consists of 87± acres offering mountain vistas, valley views and privacy in a beautiful river bottom setting. Dryland pasture as well as some irrigated ground gives the option of having a few cows and horses if desired. The park like setting on the property adds to the ambience while providing vital habitat to a plethora of wildlife. The property is within close proximity to the recreational opportunities in the thousands of nearby US Forest Service lands and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, both contiguous to Yellowstone National Park.
Overlooking the river with views of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wildness is a modest home built in 1978. The home is 3,200± SF, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 stories, walk out basement, large deck off the kitchen, firepit and attached 2 car garage. The home is in good condition and is prime for a remodel if some-one wanted to put their personal touches on it. Also, on the property is a large metal shop that is plumbed, insulated and heated offering plenty of storage for all the toys one would need to recreate on the property and in the nearby national forest. An additional storage shed, old barn, and calving barn are also located on the property.
FISHING NEAR BY
The West Boulder, Main Boulder and East Boulder Rivers confluence near McLeod, MT to form the Boulder River which continues for 20 more miles before flowing into the Yellowstone River near Big Timber, MT. The fishing season begins on the West Boulder in late March/early April. The first hatch is the Moth-er’s Day Caddis Hatch. Right around the same time Blue winged olives and golden stoneflies also emerge during this pre-runoff bonanza. A yellow stimulator or elk hair caddis is the fly of choice dur-ing this time and can provide tremendous dry fly action. The fishing season begins on the West Boulder in late March/early April. The first hatch is the Moth-er’s Day Caddis Hatch. Right around the same time Blue winged olives and golden stoneflies also emerge during this pre-runoff bonanza. A yellow stimulator or elk hair caddis is the fly of choice dur-ing this time and can provide tremendous dry fly action.
Caddis continue throughout the summer and a high floating attractor pattern will remain productive throughout these warmer months. Hoppers become the dry fly of choice on hot, sunny days starting in August. The hopper fishing lasts through September and is very similar to and just as much fun as the salmon fly hatch, except it lasts two months instead of a week. Hopper fishing is arguably the most enjoyable way to catch trout on a fly rod and the river has some of the best hopper fishing available anywhere.
Throughout the fishing season, roughly April 1 to November 1, nymphs and streamers will work well on days the fish are not taking dry flies. The trout in the river will average around 12 to 14 inches with populations of large fish in the 18 to 20 inch range. Fishing is predominately for Brown, Rain-bow, Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Mountain Whitefish– also abundant in the Boulder and East Boulder Rivers.
LOCATION
The ranch is located in McLeod (Big Timber), MT. In true Montana style, McLeod whose year-round population barely squeaks past 20 can lay claim to a post office and a school. McLeod sits along the Boulder River in the beautiful Boulder River Valley where the Horse Whisper was filmed. Just south of the ranch on Hwy 298 you will find the Natural Bridge State Park, here the river has completely gone underground upstream and works its way through the porous sandstone to where it shoots out to become a surface river again. In high water the entire creek is pouring over the edge as well as through the underground channels. It is an impressive sight.
BIG TIMBER http://www.bigtimber.com/
Big Timber is just a 20± minute drive north of the ranch on Hwy 298. A century ago, Big Timber was a railroad center that became the world’s sheep ranching capital, shipping more wool than any other U.S. city at the time. Today it is dedicated to agriculture and trout. It offers an iconic hotel and restaurant, The Grand Hotel, as well as a variety of small shops, a wonderful bakery and coffee shop, art galleries, antique stores, a Carnegie Library, a fly shop, a super-market and a hardware store. Big Timber is a classic small Montana town, with historic buildings, small café’s and friendly people. It’s a throwback to a simpler time when folks stopped on the sidewalk to visit on their way to the hardware store.
LIVINGSTON https://www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/livingston.html
A scenic 45± minute drive from the McLeod Highlands Ranch is Livingston, MT. As the seat of Park County it boasts a population of 7,500± people Rich in history and noted in western journals as a rowdy, western town it was once filled with characters such as Calamity Jane and Kitty O’Leary and at one time was the historic home of the Mountain Crow Indians. Today, Livingston is the gateway to the Paradise Valley and Yellowstone National Park. This beautiful town supports numerous art galleries, a wine cellar, a bookstore, a restored McKim, Mead, White railroad depot, gourmet restaurants, theaters, fly shops and a variety of antique stores all packaged into a well-preserved historical district. The world-famous Yellowstone River rushes past town and is at the heart of the community’s spirit.
Please Contact Raich Montana Properties LLC to schedule a showing. Qualified Buyers Only. Showings Require Advance Notice.
Co-Brokered with James Esperti of Fay Ranches – Cell: 406-581-4795
The current owners also have an additional property for sale, The McLeod Highlands Ranch MCLEOD HIGHLANDS RANCH. The property is comprised of 1,192 ± acres. The property is for sale for $3,499,000 or both ranches together are listed for $4,500,000. Contact Fay Ranches OR Tracy Raich for more information.
