«Return to Oregon Ranches for Sale
|
* View property maps by clicking on image(s) above.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||
| * Click on images to view larger. | ||||||
The Horse Creek Ranch and Vance Draw combine the elements of winter and summer livestock grazing with unsurpassed outdoor recreational opportunities in the most spectacular environment Oregon has to offer. The Horse Creek Ranch offering includes 1,041 deeded acres along with federal and private grazing privileges within approximately 15,000 acres in the Imnaha River Canyon. Vance Draw offers 240 acres of deeded summer pasture and recreation adjacent to the coveted Zumwalt Prairie. Located in the northeast corner of the state, Wallowa County is a land of rugged mountains, gentle valleys and deep canyons. Residents enjoy a high quality of life supported by traditional family owned ranches and forest industries.
THE HORSE CREEK HEADQUARTERS camp is tucked in behind a locked gate approximately 1 ¾ miles above a private bridge crossing the Imnaha River. The cool waters of Horse Creek flows past a modern two bedroom cabin, a good set of corrals and a horse barn. Access to the Horse Creek Ranch begins on State Highway 82 at the small town of Joseph. 30 miles northeast of Joseph, the pavement ends and the tiny community of Imnaha offers a friendly country store and tavern, a post office and a school house. Imnaha's population is reported at 12 "when everybody's home," however the neighboring ranches bring the population in the canyon up to about 180. 13 miles downriver on the graveled Lower Imnaha Road is the gated entrance into the peaceful Horse Creek basin and the ranch headquarters.
THE IMNAHA RIVER CANYON and its tremendous feed and water resources provide abundant forage within protected valleys and huge grassy benches. Hay fields cleared and farmed by the early settlers produce enormous quantities of grasses while the river, creeks and springs provide well watered pastures throughout the entire area. The Horse Creek Ranch combines most of its deeded land with the grazing privileges described in a U.S. Forest Service Term Grazing Permit which allows a winter turn-out of 454 head. The ranch also leases property owned by The Nature Conservancy. This lease is designed to run in conjunction with the Term Permit and a Private Land Permit increasing the number of cattle to 524. Turn-out is on November 1st and ends May 15th. The 281 acre pasture at the headquarters is not included in the permit and is grazed at the owners' discretion. The term of the Permit and the Conservancy's lease runs to December 31, 2015.
The advantages of wintering out privately in an area known for its relatively mild winters are enormous. Pasture rotation flows well. The elevations range from around 2,000 feet in the lower benches to 5,300 feet at the canyon rim. Seasons of use can be alternated to encourage healthy plant growth and exceptional cattle maintenance. The opportunity to experience the qualities of life-style offered in the Horse Creek Ranch and Vance Draw might only come once in a lifetime.
VANCE DRAW is a lush, well-watered private summer pasture located approximately 34 road miles from the Wallowa county seat at Enterprise and less than 10 trail miles from the west fence line of the Horse Creek Ranch. Bordered on three sides by National forest, Vance Draw offers a blend of pine timber and native meadow at an elevation of around 4,500 feet. Currently used to graze about 200 head in the early season for 3 to 4 weeks, Vance Draw will produce enough re-growth to attract game animals through the late summer and fall. Wallowa County is well known for its trophy big game populations.
© 2011 Steve Turner Ranches PO Box 31 Powell Butte, OR 97753 Phone: (541) 548-9600
|