* THE SUGARLOAF RANCH * , Crowell, TX 79227(Foard County)

In 1984, the construction of a 10,000 square foot lodge was completed. Seated on the edge of Sloans Springs Canyon and its 300' rock walls, the views are phenomenal from this location. The lodge has nine spacious bedrooms, each with its own full-size bathroom and private thermastat control. Four of the nine bedrooms have fireplaces as well. A large den with a bar, kitchen, and plenty of room for tables and eating is downstairs. There is also an indoor hot tub room with its own full-size bathroom and bar, plus an attached workout room. Upstairs is another bar area, with two pool tables, three round poker tables, and a tall stone fireplace. In total, the lodge has seven fireplaces. There are also two laundry rooms, a wine/liquor storage room, and a mud room.

The exterior of the lodge was recently painted. Outside the lodge is a stone patio, with an inground pool and large firepit. There are multiple places to put outdoor tables, grills, etc. A short walk from the lodge is a skeet shooting lane, with attached trap thrower and aluminum bench seating for guests.

ADDITIONAL IMPROVEMENTS:

At the headquarters, where the lodge sits, are several open horse stalls, lots, and two round riding pens. There are chainlink pens are for housing bird dogs too. A metal barn with a commercial freezer inside provides room to store game, and there is a metal carport for parking equipment.

Another large barn with a concrete floor is located within walking distance of the lodge. This barn has an indoor kitchen and large windows that provide views across Sloans Springs Canyon to the east. With its open floor plan, it has been used for large barbeques and dances in the past. Attached to this barn is a garage for parking vehicles and ATVs. There are two sets of working pens, plus several cattle guards and three concrete creek crossings.

LAND TERRAIN:

The ranch is very hilly, almost mountainous in some parts. Two deep canyons, Bowley and Sloans Springs, run through the north sections, creating scenic rides anytime of the year. Two well known geographical features are just east of the ranch too - Teacup Mountain, a large dome-shaped rock formation, and Sugarloaf Mountain, a distinct plateau from which the ranch gets its name. The southern sections of the ranch have less elevation change, but are still plenty hilly. There are some flat pastures in the bottoms. Juniper cedars and mesquites cover the landscape, with scattered hackberry trees.

WATER:

The ranch has lots of water, both natural and developed. The northern sections are criss-crossed by a four main drainages. The main channel is Canal Creek, which cuts through the middle of the north half of the ranch. Just north of it is Half Circle Creek. Both of these creeks are fed by springs along the way, but are considered seasonal because they do not run water year around. The other two drainages are Bowley and Sloans Springs Canyons. Half Circle Creek and Bowley Canyon's creek merge with Canal Creek on the ranch itself.

The ranch has approximately 20 water tanks and lakes, at least five of which are several acres large. These larger tanks have crystal clear water and are springfed. Three are stocked with bass, and 10 lb trophies are obtainable. The lakes also provide excellent locations for camping and cooking out.

Community water from the Red River Water Authority is piped to the headquarters, as well as a few cattle stock tanks.

WILDLIFE/HUNTING:

Since the mid 1980s, the wildlife and game on the Sugarloaf Ranch has been promoted through supplimental feed, management hunts, and pasture development. With such a diverse terrain across the land, the ranch holds solid herds of both mule and whitetail deer, and several trophies are able to be harvested every season. Winter wheat in the farm fields provides protein for the deer. In the pastures sumac thickets, cedar berries, and mesquite beans provide nutrition for the deer as well.

The present owner is an avid bird hunter, so measures have been taken to increase the bobwhite numbers as much as possible. Some portions of the pastures have been rolled in the past to stimulate their growth; quail feeders are scattered throughout the ranch too. The native vegetation includes ragweed, brume, and sunflowers, all of which help support the birds in the pastures.

Other game includes turkey, feral hog, coyote, and bobcat, plus dove hunting in the fall. The lakes draw in lots of ducks in the wintertime too.

CATTLE RANCHING:

The north side of the ranch has been divided into four large pastures. Most of the fencing is in excellent condition, with metal T-posts and pipe reinforced corners. There is roughly 200 acres of farm land from two different fields, and the balance in native pasture. The pastures have varying stands of tall bluestem, indian, gramma, and buffalo grasses. The farm fields are normally planted in wheat for winter grazing and deer hunting, but they can also grow sudan hay. All of the pastures and fields have plenty of water from ponds and/or stock tanks. On an average year, the ranch can support a 175 cow/calf herd.

MINERALS RIGHTS:

The owner has mineral rights on most of the sections and will convey what he has at closing. (Less than 1/8 of the minerals owned; seller and broker make no warranty as to percentage of minerals owned; buyer's verification is required.) There is some recent oil production on the southwest side of the ranch, with four wells being dug. These wells have not produced much, two of the wells were dry. Buyer will assume seller's position in oil leases at closing.

ASKING PRICE:

The asking price for the Sugarloaf Ranch has just been reduced to $775/acre (formally $900/acre), which includes all mineral rights owned, surface and all other property rights, and attached improvements and fixtures. With everything this ranch has to offer, this is a great deal in today's market.

CONTACT:

Call land agent Ben Belew at cell phone (940) 357-9940 to arrange your private viewing of this spectacular ranch.