Donnelly, ID 83615(Valley County)

Located at the northern end of Long Valley midway between the all-season resort community of McCall and the small mountain town of Donnelly, the 320 acre OH ranch is a uniquely beautiful property that captures the full diversity and splendor of west central Idaho. Lake Fork Creek is the centerpiece of the OH and courses its way for over a mile through a forested riparian corridor before eventually joining Cascade Lake five miles downstream of the ranch. One enters the OH from Spink Lane, a maintained county road that borders the southern end of the property for a quarter-mile. Following the entrance road into the interior of the ranch, one is immediately struck by the privacy and tranquility of the property. Stands of pine and aspen insulate the ranch from the surrounding open valley floor and create an ideal setting to develop a residence or ranch compound. A bluff along the east side of Lake Fork Creek offers elevated views of the stream corridor and multiple building sites. As one moves east into the heart of the ranch, the property encompasses a rich tapestry of land and habitat types featuring perennial wetlands, seasonally wet meadows, stands of aspen and willow, open sagebrush parks, and timbered uplands. A multitude of wildlife finds refuge on the ranch including elk, mule deer, and whitetail deer as well as abundant non-game species.

Located in a timbered setting perched above the creek is a three-bedroom, two-bath, single-story cabin with 1,344 square feet of living space. The cabin is serviced by a domestic well and buried power and phone lines from Spink Lane. A shed is situated next to the cabin and houses the well and provides storage for tools and equipment. The owners currently rent the cabin to tenants who also provide light caretaking and maintenance for the owners. Constructed in 1985, the cabin is usable as is or could be upgraded to more modern conveniences or replaced in its entirety with a new structure.

The location of the OH is second to none. The ranch is situated in the center of one of the Pacific Northwests great all-season recreation areas and a short drive from two destination ski areas (Brundage Mountain and Tamarack Resorts) and two of Idahos best-known lakes for water sports and mountain scenery (Payette and Cascade Lakes). Boise and its commercial airport lie approximately 100 miles south of the property, while McCall, 15 minutes north on Highway 55, is home to an excellent general aviation airport with a fixed base operation, McCall Aviation, and high-quality air charter services.

There is no conservation easement covering the OH. However, because of the ranchs undeveloped character, diverse natural features, and excellent location, it is a prime candidate for one. The OH is part of a year-round, family-owned livestock operation. The owners typically run 40 heifer calves and an appropriate number of bulls for the summer in a single fenced pasture encompassing approximately 185 acres on the east side of the creek.

The Facts:

~ 320 deeded, contiguous acres

~ Year-round access from Highway 55 and maintained county roads

~ Midway between McCall and Donnelly and less than 15 minutes from either community

~ Half-hour from alpine and Nordic skiing in the winter and lakes for boating and fishing in the summer

~ On the edge of the central Idaho backcountry and the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Area

~ Amazing natural beauty and diversity that includes mountain views, pine forests, seasonal and perennial wetlands, and over a mile of frontage on a year-round stream

~ Building Improvements include a three-bedroom/two-bath cabin, storage shed, and livestock catch pen

~ Largely undeveloped offering a blank canvas to construct an idyllic mountain retreat

~ Located in hunt unit 24 and the McCall elk zone featuring general season and controlled hunts for elk and deer

~ Elevation is approximately 4,900 feet

~ Annual property taxes are approximately $1,650