Fredericksburg, TX 78624(Gillespie County)

Fredericksburg offers the finest in regional/national shopping, arts & crafts, restaurants, museums and hospitality, and includes jet airport and excellent hospital. A world-class golf course, Boot Ranch, is located 10 miles from the ranch entrance. Much more golf and water recreation is located about 45 minutes NE in Horseshoe Bay.

San Antonio, the 7th largest city in the country, is home to all else, including international airport, and is about 75 miles south. Austin, the State Capitol, is about 80 miles east, and Houston and Dallas are each about a 4 hour drive. The Mexican border at Del Rio is about a 2.5 hour drive.

WATER: Natural and developed water are some of the primary calling cards of this ranch, and most of it has postcard-type settings of stunning beauty. The awesome Crabapple Creek canyon is the focal point, with the high-volume, hard flowing creek coursing thru nearly sheer cliffs of almost 200 in height. This spring-fed, clear water tumbles over countless noisy falls, into emerald pools up to 12 deep, creating a waterscape which provides National Geographic-level aesthetics. A fantastic overlook deck at a choice location provides sweeping views up and down the creek, as well as the relaxing sound of water cascading over rock and through riffles, in a truly one of a kind setting.

There is about 1.6 miles of ownership of Crabapple Creek in two sections, and all ownership comprises both sides of the stream, with no visible intrusion from neighbors. The upstream section is all steep-walled canyon, and the lower section is more typical of area creeks, with long holes, grassy banks and occasional rock outcrops. There appear to be good locations for dams along this section, and Crabapple Creek is well known as one of the most reliable in the Hill Country, as proven by its impressive natural fishery, with holes chock full of natural, wild fish.

Springs which flow much of the time are located in side canyons, some of them feeding picturesque, small lakes, others creating spectacular waterfalls during wet times. Three of these lakes are augmented by wells and/or a unique water pumping system from Crabapple Creek, with over two miles of underground pipe, and are known to hold water year round.

The ranch is as well watered as weve seen, with over 12 water wells, most of them currently in service. Two were tested at over 100 gpm, and one is known to flow artesian (trickle). Well depths vary from 100 to 500, and there is a comprehensive well roster available to interested parties. For more information on area groundwater, contact the Hill Country Underground Water Conservation District at 830.997.4472 .

LAND: This part of the Texas Hill Country is well known for its rugged, scenic beauty, and this ranch takes that aspect to the limit. Were talking about almost 400 of relief from top to bottom, with rock cliffs, large hardwoods and dramatic vistas of Enchanted Rock and the granite mountains to the north available at numerous locations. Two major, non-Crabapple canyons run from SW to NE thru the ranch, and these canyons have lovely, smooth bottoms populated with large elm and live oak trees, bisected by spring fed creeks that hold water much of the year. Again, rock cliffs, spires and slabs are present for viewing pleasure, but not prohibitive to vehicular travel.

Speaking of cliffs, spires and slabs, the Crabapple Falls canyon is one of the most totally unique, geologic features known in Texas. The visible, extruded granite is surely hundreds of millions of years old, but is in direct contact with other rocks perhaps fifty million years old, resulting in some rather bizarre-looking and feeling outcrops. Most of this is a mixture of igneous and metamorphic materials, with very little evidence of sedimentation, which would have been possibly the most intense cauldron of geologic activity in the region.

Soils range from stony clays on the hilltops and sides, to silty clays in the upper drainages, and much sandy loam is evident along the upper section of Crabapple Creek. This is strong country, with lots of minerals in the soils, that produces quality forage with adequate rainfall. This is evidenced by the abundance of large, healthy hardwoods seen all over the ranch, including the hilltops! Live Oak, Post Oak, Shin Oak, Elm, Mesquite and Acacia are all seen within minutes of entering the ranch.

Native grasses thrive in this wilderness, as do woody shrubs and cacti. Persimmon, agarita, prickly pear and tasajillo are all observed. The wildlife have plenty of nutritious food and shelter here, thus they thrive in healthy populations. Whitetail deer, turkey, aoudad sheep, dove, hogs, varmints and songbirds are the primary inhabitants, and the ranch is now being directed toward even more favorable habitat conditions for those species by current ownership.

IMPROVEMENTS: Previous ownership invested in some of the most incredible ranch infrastructure ever seen, including up to 15 miles of granite gravel roads heavily reinforced with concrete (several miles worth), 15 water wells, miles of underground electricity, phone and water lines, and two nice homes.

The Hill House sits on one of the most spectacular sites around, with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside, as well as in-your-face views of the lower Crabapple canyon. Yes, one can hear the roar of the water from this distant vista. This approx. 3,000 sq. ft. home consists of 4 BR, 2.5 BA, is in the process of being totally remodeled and updated, and will be first-rate when completed (est. Thanksgiving 2010). The construction is of battened siding with galvanized metal roof, accented with rock on the inside, including a huge fireplace. A concrete, lighted helicopter pad is nearby, generator backup power is ready to go, and other features such as in-ground lighting, etc. are being restored.

The North House is near the north entrance, and is of similar style and size as the Hill House, but without the monster view. This strategic location would serve well as a foremans house, and the quality of construction is very good. Remodeling is also ongoing at this location. Crabapple Creek is but a short stroll away, and the ranchs main field adjoins the yard to the west. A hunting cabin is also livable and clean, and is situated near a small shed, pens and workshop about mile south of the North House on the main ranch road.

The ranch is fenced and cross-fenced (poor to good condition), there is an incredible network of roads and trails, and there are several stunning creek and Hill Country overlooks that are National Park-caliber. Numerous game feeders are situated about the ranch, in various stages of functionality, and some basic implements and tools in the shed/shop area will remain with the property.

FINANCIAL/TITLE: Asking $7,236/acre, cash to Seller, who will provide current survey and basic title insurance, mineral conveyance is negotiable. A gas pipeline crosses the far SE corner of the ranch, and electric easements only extend a few feet into the ranch, then terminate, at this time. There is insurable, ingress/egress access established to this ranch from both north and south, with an alternate pasture road also being a legal access point from the south. The ranch is served by Central Texas Electric, phone service is available, and the ranch lies in the Fredericksburg ISD. 2009 ag-exempt taxes were $6000.

SUMMARY: Very few people ever get the chance to even view a property such as this, much less own one. This is a rare opportunity to own a National Park-type ranch in a supreme, yet highly secluded and protected location, with superior infrastructure and improvements in place. The live water and setting here are unequalled, the canyon has been opened up for hiking and viewing as never before. This is the type of place that you will have a hard time leaving. Bring your hiking boots and swimwear for a tour. We promise you it will be time well spent!

The information contained herein has been diligently assembled and is deemed reliable, but is not warranted by Broker or Seller, express or implied, and is subject to change, prior sale, errors and/or omissions and withdrawal from market. Buyers must verify accuracy of representations on their own, as well as investigate potentially pertinent natural attributes, laws and regulations, and draw their own conclusions regarding the usefulness and value of the property for a given purpose. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS.

Buyers brokers must be identified on first contact, and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allowed full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at sole discretion of LANDTX, David E. Culver, broker.