4500 Forest Service Rd. 563 , Gunnison, CO 81230(Gunnison County)

The healthy sub-alpine forests and meadows that dominate the ranch create prime habitat for mule deer and elk that favor living just below tree line for much of the year. At an average elevation of more than 10,000 feet, the property receives abundant moisture that feeds ten or more springs and ponds on the property, guaranteeing that animals wont need to travel away from the ranch to find water. Furthermore, the heavy stands of dark timber composed of spruce and fir, intermixed with meadows of lush native grasses and aspen, meets the needs of wildlife for shelter and food. In short, Whetstone Mountain Ranch is in the midst of high-country big game habitat at its finest.

The hunting possibilities on the ranch are as plentiful as its alpine vistas. Large mule deer roam the property with regularity, and bucks have been taken here that score over 200 on the Boone and Crockett scale, topping out at 243. Impressive elk herds also frequent the ranch and the adjacent Gunnison National Forest, which nearly surrounds the property. The ranch qualifies for over-the-counter elk tags and landowner deer tags. Black bears are plentiful here as well and further enhance the big game hunting opportunities. With these assets in place, the prospects of operating Whetstone Mountain Ranch as a private or commercial hunting retreat are outstanding.

A large 3,045 square foot lodge serves as headquarters for this magnificent property. It includes four bedrooms, a full kitchen, a storage garage, and a vaulted great room filled with trophy mounts. Spectacular high-country views can be enjoyed from its large deck. Whetstone Mountain Ranch is a fully turn-key property, with all furnishings, big game mounts, equipment, vehicles, and tools included in the sale. The lodge is entirely off-grid, powered by a solar system with generator backup. Water comes from a gravity-feed system from a spring on the property. A barn and storage cabin are also present on the fully fenced acreage.

Hunting is the prime attraction of this property, but jeeping and hiking are natural fits in the summertime, too. Photographic opportunities abound, with great views of nearby Mount Whetstone, Carbon Peak, Mount Axtell, all of which rise in excess of 12,000 feet. Wildflower-lovers will literally have a field day here in the summer. World-renowned fly-fishing opportunities exist on the Gunnison, East, and Taylor Rivers, each within an hours drive. The ranch is accessible by snowmobile in the winter, and snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ski touring are ideal ways to enjoy the solitude of winter. The downhill ski resort of Crested Butte is 50 minutes away, and the college town of Gunnison and its airport is 30 minutes away.