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Circle Bar Ranch U T I C A , M O N T A N A

TCircle Bar RanchU T I C A C O U N T Y , M O N T A N A

IntroductionThe Circle Bar Ranch on the Judith River is a historic guest and working ranch

that dates back to the late 1800’s. The ranch sits in the bridging corridor that

connects the alpine habitat of the Little Belt Mountains to the Judith River Valley.

This dramatic scenery drew western artist Charlie Russell to spend time on the

ranch and in the area. Over a century has passed and the ranch remains a great

location for a small cattle outfit, family retreat or full-scale dude ranch. Buying a

working guest ranch or family retreat is a lifestyle choice for you and your family.

In today’s hectic world this type of shift may be exactly what is needed.

The ranch is nearly 520 acres of rolling hills, and timbered ridges and over one

mile of lush river bottom. State land borders the property, giving access to the

Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest. This is a perfect location for fishing,

hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and bird and trophy

big game hunting.

Jack McInerney, Associate BrokerCraig Janssen, Sales AssociateBozeman Office 406.586.6012

WWW.LIVEWATERPROPERTIES.COM

TThe area has a variety of landscapes including wildflower-filled meadows and heavily timbered slopes that form the Little Belt Mountain Range. The communities of Utica, Hobson and Stanford offer small town amenities as well as the Judith Basin, Hobson and Utica Museums, which feature artifacts from the Homestead Era. Fine dining, commercial air service, state parks, golfing and shopping can be found 90 miles away in Great Falls. Lewistown is located 45 miles to the northeast and offers shopping, a public airport with a 6,100-foot asphalt runway, as

well as a movie theatre, two golf courses and full service hospital.The area surrounding the ranch is rich in recreational opportunities with Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest, Judith River Wildlife Management Area and Ackley Lake State Park nearby. In the fall and winter months large elk

herds can be viewed on the edge of the Little Belt Mountains near the Judith River Wildlife Management Area. The Circle Bar Ranch is at an elevation of 4,900 feet.

Ranch Location

The Circle Bar Ranch, is located 13 miles southwest of Utica in Judith Basin

County, Montana.

Area HistoryIn the early 1880s, Utica was a lively town and the headquarters for the Judith Basin Cattle Pool. Around this time, a young man from Missouri named Charlie Russell came to Judith Basin and began painting canvases inspired by the area and its people. His paintings told stories of Indians, buffalo, cowboys, mining, wolves and the open range. The “cowboy artist”, as Charlie

is now called, witnessed the transformation of the country with herds of cattle replacing buffalo and Native Americans no longer free to live as they once did. His art depicted the changes in the West and also gave a look at how the West used to be. These paintings can be seen in the many museums across the nation that celebrate the art and history of Charlie Russell.

The Circle Bar Ranch was originally inhabited by the Blackfeet Native Americans who used it as a hunting ground. By the late 1800s, the United States of America claimed primary ownership of the area and men began staking out their claim on the land. The ranch assumed the name “S Lazy 4 Bar” in 1890, which was one of the earliest brands in Montana. The land later became the Middle Fork Cattle Company and was used to buy, sell and raise cattle and horses. The business eventually developed into a hunting and recreation business and in 1904 the owners procured a hotel license, as they planned to serve meals and become a guest facility. In 1920 the ranch took on the new brand and name of Circle Bar Ranch. The ranch was bought and sold twice more before the current owners purchased it in 1982.

TRanch History

The Circle Bar Ranch was originally inhabited by the Blackfeet Native

Americans who used it as a hunting ground.

The brutal winter of 1886 affected ranchers across the country and with the railroad pushing west and cattle prices dropping, some Montana ranchers tried their hand at the “guest business.”

Many Easterners and Europeans were anxious to get into Yellowstone country and see for themselves the country that Buffalo Bill and dime novelists had been describing.

Dude/ Guest Ranching Dude ranching history stretches back to the late 19th century in the post-Civil War cattle boom of the 1880’s.

The Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest’s 1.8 million acres are in close proximity to the ranch and the state elk refuge is located nearby. There is direct access to hundreds of thousands of acres of spectacular untouched beauty through the adjacent state land. The terrain includes meadows, rolling hills, scenic vistas and timbered slopes, which rise behind the ranch headquarters to form the Little Belt Mountain range. The Judith

River starts on the ranch from her two tributaries, the South Fork and the Middle Fork. The river meanders through the ranch for approximately one mile, offering excellent fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, brook and brown trout. The terrain on the ranch is conducive to developing a landing strip in the meadows, and the ranch is accessible year round by improved county gravel road.

Ranch Acreage

The Circle Bar encompasses approximately 478 acres of pasture and river bottom as

well as roughly 40 acres of irrigated land for a total of over 500 acres.

RecreationRecreational opportunities abound on the Circle Bar Ranch. With miles of trails in the nearby Helena - Lewis and Clark National Forest as well as the ranch terrain of rolling hills, meadows and timbered slopes, the incoming owner has the choice of horseback riding, hiking, hunting, pack trips and wildlife viewing. The location of the ranch is ideal for hunting as it borders state land and has National Forest access quarter mile away. The opportunities for elk, bear, deer and antelope are incredible as well as ample fishing on the approximately one mile long stretch of Judith River. With hundreds of thousands of acres of National Forest, winter activities include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Showdown Ski Resort is within an hour and a half drive, offering alpine skiing runs for all skill levels.

WildlifeWith the close proximity of the Helena Lewis and Clark National Forest and the state elk refuge, it is not uncommon to see large elk herds. Mule deer and Whitetail deer graze on the hills and ranch grounds. The onsite Judith River meandering behind the barn also lures several species of upland birds and the occasional moose to the property. Bird watching is outstanding with eagles, Peregrine falcons, hawks, bluebirds, hummingbirds, ducks, geese, Sandhill cranes, goldfinches, Great Horned owls, as well as many other diverse species present on the ranch. Big game wildlife viewing is also outstanding on the nearby 7,745-acre Judith River Wildlife Management Area with its abundant vegetation for wintering elk and other species such as deer and antelope. Black bear, mountain lions and bobcats are also native to the area.

The suite features a large living area and private bathrooms and accommodates up to six people. The cabins come in a variety of sizes and are perfect for housing guests or being used for corporate retreats. These historic cabins boast spectacular views, fireplaces, wet bars, living areas and kitchenettes, depending on the customized cabin.The horse barn, built before 1902, once displayed the “S Lazy 4 Bar” brand and is now the center for riding activities. It is complete with tack storage and foaling stalls to make it a blend of form and function. Originally built as a quarter horse breeding facility, the new barn and arena house seven oversized stalls and an exercise area. The barn offers equine safety with its iron and wood stall partitions and functionality with its removable walls for cleaning and stall-size options. Propane heat, a freeze proof hydrant, outdoor water troughs, rodeo-size arena, and space for team penning and riding lessons make this a versatile facility.

The recreation/meeting hall on the ranch is complete with a carport, porch, river rock fireplace and two bathrooms creating a great place to view the buffalo pasture to the west. Whether relaxing with friends or family, shooting a game of pool or holding an important gathering, this is the ideal place. The main lodge is a log structure that includes a full-sized commercial kitchen, dining

room, bar, three-bedroom suite, four hotel-style rooms and large living room complete with high ceilings, panoramic picture windows and native stone fireplace. The residence is a remodeled four-bedroom, three-bath home with fireplace, jetted hot tub and a large extra space perfect for an office. The ranch also features a heated swimming pool and glass-enclosed hot tub.

Improvements:

The Circle Bar Ranch offers a number of extensive improvements including a

suite, nine cabins, two barns, a recreation/meeting hall, pool house, shop, main lodge,

four hotel-style rooms and residence.

• Nearly 520 deeded acres • Mix of river bottom, irrigated hay native pasture, and timbered hills • One mile of Judith River • Improvements include cabins, barns, sheds, a shop and the main lodge • Walking/riding access to the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest • Adjacent to Montana State lands • Abundant wildlife and excellent hunting • Ideal dude ranch, personal, corporate, or family retreat

PRICE: $1,950,000TAXES: $8,826 in 2016

CONTACT: For a showing of the Circle Bar Ranch, please contact Jack McInerney or Craig Janssen of Live Water Properties.

Summary

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.

Circle Bar Ranch- Aerial MapMaps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

National Forest State Owned Land

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.

Circle BarRanch - Topography MapMaps are for visual aid only ~ accuracy is not guaranteed.

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