Three Ball Ranch BOULDER, WYOMING Hunting Ranching Fly Fishing Conservation
Three Ball Ranch BOULDER, WYOMING Introduction: Offered for sale for the first time ever is the historic Three Ball Ranch. Homesteaded over 117 years ago, the Three Ball Ranch has been owned and operated by six generations, and has traditionally been used for livestock grazing and hay production. The ranch totals 1,848 deeded acres that include the 1,240-acre River Parcel, or main ranch, and the 608 Homestead Parcel. Approximately 4 miles of the East Fork River flows through the main ranch, and offers direct access to the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the rugged Wind River Wilderness through the Homestead Parcel. Terry Fieseler, Associate Broker John Turner, Sales Associate Toll Free: 866.734.6100
Location: The Three Ball Ranch is centrally located in Sublette County in northwestern Wyoming. Situated along the East Fork River and the foothills of the Wind River Range, the Three Ball Ranch has the diversity and beauty of a true mountain property. The ranch is situated 10 minutes southeast of the small community of Boulder and 20 minutes from the western community of Pinedale, Wyoming. The ranch is a one-hour and 45-minute drive from the resort community of Jackson Hole. Located 15 minutes from the ranch is the Wenz Municipal Airport that sits just south of Pinedale, and handles most private jets on its 8,900 runway. Commercial air service is available in Jackson Hole and Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Acreage: The Three Ball Ranch is comprised of 1,848 deeded acres that includes the 1,240-acre River Parcel and the 608-acre Homestead Parcel. Excellent water rights on the River Parcel supplies water to irrigate 422 acres of hay meadows and 405 acres of irrigated/sub-irrigated pasture. The Homestead Parcel is 2 miles east at a higher elevation with 1 ¾ mile of a tree-lined Cottonwood Creek, and provides direct access to the National Forest. Both parcels border BLM land, which offers the livestock operation out the gate summer cattle grazing allotments for 980 Animal Unit Months (AUMs). The Fremont Butte Common Allotment consists of 21,015 acres with 873 AUMs for the River Parcel, and the Gilligan Individual Allotment consists of 560 acres with 107 AUMs for the Homestead Parcel. Grazing and hay production has been leased to nearby ranchers for the past 25 years. The immediate neighbors to the Three Ball Ranch are large working cattle ranches held by long-time local ranching families and long-term recreation investors. Water Rights and Mineral Rights: All water rights and mineral rights owned by seller and attached to subject property will transfer to an incoming owner. The current owner believes they own 100% of the minerals on the River Parcel. Additionally, the historic Three Ball brand will be included with the sale of the ranch.
History: In 2007, the Three Ball Ranch was recognized as a Wyoming Centennial Ranch by then Governor Dave Freudenthal. Dr. John and Martha Gilligan first homesteaded the ranch in 1897 as a private getaway from their busy life. In Green River, the couple managed Dr. Gilligan s medical practice and other business activities like the Opera House, Star Saloon, the Malonek House and the Gilligan-Frank Sheep Company. The Three Ball brand, which is believed to represent financial success, is still displayed by all pawnshops, and has been in the trademark of the Gilligan/Smyth family for 116 years. When Dr. Gilligan bought out his partner in 1911, it became the official brand and name of the Gilligan Ranch. The Three Ball Ranch is unique for having several log buildings still in use that are over 100 years old. A 2,500 sqft horse barn, built in 1904 from logs cut on the neighboring Bridger-Teton National Forest and floated down Muddy Creek, punctuates the ranch improvements. Electricity and plumbing came to the Three Ball Ranch in 1933, however the outhouse is still operational, all the way down to a pair of Kerosene lamps if required. For the past 117 years, the six generations of the Gilligan/Smyth families have managed and operated the Three Ball Ranch. Until 1925, the family ran Herford cattle and Columbia-Rambouillet sheep. In 1925, the closest rail yard was Rock Springs so each year the family had to trail the herd over 100 miles to market. From the mid 1920s to the 1960s, the Three Ball Ranch operated as a hay ranch, and family members would carry on the tradition of walking the ditch with a shovel over his/her shoulder while irrigating the land. As the family grew and dispersed, the ranch operation has been leased to neighboring ranchers, while the traditional agricultural activities of the Three Ball Ranch have continued uninterrupted for the past 117 years. This entire area is rich in American history as it related to the fur trade and mountain men. The first Rendezvous occurred in 1825, a gathering place for trappers to trade and sell furs. This event was held in Sublette County, which is named after William Sublette, a mountain man and trapper in the area from 1820 to 1840. The location of the Rendezvous moved each year and a total of six gatherings were held in this area between 1825 and 1840 near present day Daniel, Wyoming, a 35 minute drive from the ranch. In Pinedale each summer during the second weekend of July, the town celebrates with a parade and a reenactment of the Rendezvous with locals portraying mountain men and Native Americans. Much of this history can be enjoyed with a trip to the Museum of the Mountain Man located in Pinedale.
Live Water: The Three Ball Ranch offers completely private fishing on approximately 4 miles on the meander of the East Fork River. It flows along the west boundary of the River Parcel. The headwaters of East Fork River is found high in the Wind River Mountains where it flows generally westward towards its confluence with the New Fork River several miles downstream of the ranch. The East Fork is well known locally for producing large brown trout in addition to healthy populations of rainbow and cutthroat trout. South Creek is a spring-fed creek that flows across the southern portion of the River Parcel, and is a tributary to the East Fork River. South Creek is small in size, however known for holding big trout, and provides additional fishing opportunities. Several springs are located along the river corridor and help supply a nutrient-rich environment to this scenic fishery. It offers wild trout fishing at its finest, and will challenge the angler with its deep pools, riffles and willowlined undercut banks. A 10-acre waterfowl pond is located near the river and could be improved and enhanced for use as a trout pond.
Nearby Live Water: The famous Green River is located approximately 30 miles away from the ranch and is a fisherman s dream. This upper section of the Green offers fantastic public walk-in areas for wade fishing as well as miles of floating opportunities. Many anglers visiting the northwestern part of Wyoming list the Green River at the top of the list for fishing destinations. In addition, the New Fork River is an excellent nearby fishery and is floatable for several miles. The closest boat launch is just 10 miles from the ranch, and offers anglers the chance to land a monster brown trout. This combination of the Green and New Fork Rivers rivals any river pair in the country for limitless nearby fishing. For hiking and equestrian adventures, the high mountain lakes of the Wind River Range (approximately 1,400 lakes) are excellent day or overnight trips to experience the many lakes and streams the Winds have to offer. The ranch is located one hour from the Big Sandy entrance to the Bridger Wilderness. Several lakes and streams hold golden trout, a rare treat for the well-traveled angler. Other fishing opportunities in the area include the Hoback River, located one hour north and the Snake River, which is an hour and a half north. In addition, Idaho s famed rivers including the South Fork of the Snake, Teton River, Fall River, Warm River and Henry s Fork are approximately 2 hours away.
Recreational Opportunities: Boulder is a small community with a gas station, convenience store and restaurant/bar. Pinedale is a friendly western town providing many amenities to a small ranching community that hosts a large number of seasonal tourists. Pinedale s downtown boardwalk is lined with retail shops, restaurants, bars, banks and motels. The vibrant resort community of Jackson Hole maintains its western flare from its colorful past and provides fine dining, art galleries, museums, cultural activities, shopping and medical facilities seldom found outside major cosmopolitan communities. Sublette County abounds with recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, golfing, rodeos, horseback riding, camping, hiking, climbing, biking, snow skiing, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and ice fishing. Rendezvous Meadows Golf Course is located on the west edge of Pinedale, and White Pine Ski Area is east of Pinedale near Fremont Lake and provides downhill skiing and many other winter activities. The upper Green River area just a few miles north of the ranch offers some of the best snowmobiling that Wyoming has to offer. Each winter, a cross country Sled Dog Race makes its way through Pinedale, as the teams traverse the Continental Divide Snowmobile Trail which connects the South Pass area of the Wind River Mountains with the Jackson Hole area. The teams come from all over the country to participate. There are numerous other activities happening year round in Sublette County such as the Ice Fishing Derby, Chili Cook- Off, barbecues, parades, sailing regattas, County Fair, rodeos, black-tie fundraisers, and many other functions. There is something for everyone in this area and opportunities are unlimited.
Improvements: Overlooking the picturesque East Fork River corridor, the ranch improvements consist of several historic structures dating back to the late 1800s. The main home is a single-story log structure built in 1896. The large 2,500 sqft log barn was built in 1904, and four small log cabins, garage and shop complete the historic buildings. In addition, a 1992 modular home, that is 1,716 sqft overlooks the scenic East Fork River. Conservation Easement: Due to the dynamic ecological and scenic attributes of the Three Ball Ranch, a potential conservation easement could offer an incoming landowner the opportunity to capture significant tax benefits with the placement of an easement, thereby preserving the wild and scenic qualities of the ranch in perpetuity.
Wildlife and Hunting: The Three Ball Ranch is a wildlife paradise, and it is home to mule deer and whitetail deer, elk, moose, pronghorn antelope as well as coyotes, red fox, badger, rabbits, eagles, hawks, sage grouse, and many other species that call the Rocky Mountains home. The diverse terrain and mix of sagebrush, meadows, aspen groves and riparian river bottoms in addition to other water resources found on the ranch provide an excellent habitat for all species. The stands of aspen on the Homestead Parcel and along Cottonwood Creek are a magnet for mule deer and elk. With historic elk, mule deer and antelope migration routes passing through the ranch, there is an excellent chance that the ranch would qualify for two landowner licenses for these three species. The East Fork River, spring creeks and ponds create a tremendous habitat for Canada geese, several species of ducks, sandhill cranes and many other species of birds.
Summary Never before offered for sale, the Three Ball Ranch presents a rare opportunity to own a Wyoming legacy ranch that has been in the same family since 1897. The ranch is a well-rounded livestock operation with numerous fishing opportunities for wild trout on the East Fork River and South Creek in addition to abundant wildlife and hunting. This is a chance of a lifetime to own a spectacular ranch with direct access to BLM and National Forest that enjoys breathtaking views of the Wind River Mountain Range. PRICE: $4,500,000 TAXES: $3,085 for 2014 CONTACT: Terry Fieseler, Associate Broker Cell:307.350.5382 John Turner, Sales Associate Cell:307.696.3415 Toll Free: 866.734.6100 Notes: 1) This is an exclusive listing of Live Water Properties LLC; an agent of Live Water Properties must be present to conduct a showing. The owners respectfully request that other agents and/or prospective buyers contact Live Water Properties in advance to schedule a proper showing and do not attempt to tour or trespass the property on their own. Thank you. 2) Offering subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information provided herein is intended as a general guideline and has been provided by sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy of which we cannot guarantee. 3) Live Water Properties LLC represents the Seller as a Seller s Agent.
Three Ball Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Three Ball Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.
Three Ball Ranch Aerial Map Maps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.