Powderhorn, CO 81243(Gunnison County)

When Lieutenant E. H. Ruffner made his historic reconnaissance of the San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado in 1873, he made special note of a spectacular rock formation bisected by the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River called the Great Gate. Today, nearly 150 years later, the Great Gate has lent its name to Gateway Ranch at its feet, a signature property offering unparalleled views, trophy Stillwater and freestone trout fishing and direct access to public lands at every point of the compass. Perfectly suited for the recreation-oriented landowner, the Gateway Ranch also boasts two beautiful homes, the main residence of over 3000 square feet and a charming guest cabin, both of which serve as luxurious headquarters for a multitude of outdoor activities.

Gateway Ranch consists of almost 42 acres of meadow and riparian woodlands adjoining the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, at an elevation of 8000 feet. Approximately half of the acreage is an irrigated meadow suitable for hay and/or grazing horses or cattle. Water rights on the ranch are quite senior in appropriation and easily meet the needs of irrigation.

With no neighbors in sight, the views from Gateway Ranch are as spectacular as youd find in a John Wayne Western. The impressive bluffs of the Great Gate itself make an immediate backdrop that rises sharply over 600 feet above the river. To the west lies Alpine Plateau, flanked with heavy spruce and aspen forests, and home to herds of trophy elk. To the east, Cannibal Plateau climbs above tree line to 12,000 feet and shelters the seldom-visited Powderhorn Wilderness Area. Almost endless foot or horseback forays into these adjacent areas are possible from the basecamp at Gateway Ranch. Smaller sections of Federal land both to the north and south complete a buffer that fully surrounds the ranch.

Anglers will be delighted to find that Gateway Ranch adjoins two miles of public special regulation water on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Rainbow trout fishing is catch and release, and only two browns 16 inches and greater can be kept per day, making the trout population as rich as any in this part of the state. Put on your waders, walk out the door, and enjoy day after day of hooking 12- to 20-inch trout that are especially fond of stonefly imitations. Vary your experience on either of the ranchs two ponds, which hold trout measured in pounds instead of inches. Not far afield from the ranch are Lake San Cristobal to the south and Blue Mesa Reservoir to the north, each about 30 minutes distant, and both meccas for trolling fishermen.

The main ranch house was built in 2010 and overlooks the river. It features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a lovely screened porch for relaxing in the clean mountain air. The homes great room features high, open-beamed ceilings and a memorable stone fireplace. A gourmet kitchen and dining area accommodates plenty of hungry anglers after a day on the river. Theres also plenty of room for family and guests with the nearby 1200-square foot guest house, with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Both homes are meticulously and tastefully decorated throughout and are situated to maximize the incredible mountain views.

Located in the heart of one of the last unspoiled valleys in the state, the Gateway Ranch offers access to a Colorado that is rapidly disappearing. Lake City, 20 minutes to the south on Highway 149, epitomizes a western mining town with genuine Victorian charm. Lake City is the hub for the Alpine Loop, a classic mountain jeep and OHV road that accesses some of the highest terrains in the San Juan Mountains. Gunnison lies about 45 minutes to the north and is home to Western State Colorado University, and a commercial airport. The ski areas at Crested Butte and Monarch are about 45 minutes further.

We at Harrigan Land Company think that the Gateway Ranch is perfectly named. It can be your gateway to a lifetime of mountain adventures, whether your passion is fishing, hunting, photography, horseback riding, jeeping or hiking. But words only tell so much. Give us a call, and well be happy to let you in the gate to see the remarkable possibilities here for yourself.