Riverfront Property Archives - Walker & Martin Ranch Sales

Mora River Refuge

Posted on: August 19th, 2023 by

Charming Mora Valley land with the river running through it! This one-of-a-kind, well-designed, red iron substantial steel building is nicely situated between a state-maintained road and the riverfront. Over 5,700 square feet of heated living space plus an attached 3-car garage!

This house, finished on the outside, mostly finished and fitted out , but not complete inside, lays the groundwork for your custom choices for a beautiful, solid, open-style large home on the Mora River in the pristine Chacon Valley. This Mora River propertys 170 acres include the most beautiful views in Northeastern New Mexico among its forest, meadows, and over 1,000 ft of river frontage on both sides. Broadband, high-speed fiber optics (100Mb), and area cell phone coverage will allow you to easily work remotely from this beautiful mountain get-away.

Fish for trout in the meandering Mora River. Hunt elk and mule deer on your own land. The forest, meadow, and river combine to create a great habitat for wildlife such as hawks, eagles, owls, bears, beavers, coyotes, mountain lions, and even lynx! Bring your horses, and they will love the place. If your two-mile-long, big backyard doesnt satisfy all your wanderlust, there are over a million acres of public land in the nearby Carson National Forest. This refuge is pleasantly private yet conveniently located with good, paved access on NM Hwy 121. The property is 45 minutes from Las Vegas, one hour from Taos, and one hour and 45 minutes from Santa Fe, each with its own public airport.

The forest received some burning in the recent wildfires, the majority of it categorized by USFS as low intensity. The building does not have a kitchen, so please take this into consideration.

Rio Grande del Norte

Posted on: August 15th, 2023 by Greg Walker

Rio Grande Del Norte is 810 deeded acres containing 3/4 mile of the Rio Grande River. It is a gorgeous canyon setting with elevations at 7,750 dropping down to 7,400 at the river bottom. A private trailhead (shared) provides rare river access into the gorge. Wild yet accessible, the ranch offers unique fishing for large brown trout and northern pike. Deer, elk, and other wildlife traverse the property constantly. A great variety of waterfowl utilizes the river heavily. In 2016 when the owner of an adjoining 275 acres applied, they received one private lands rifle-hunt deer tag. Co-listed with Robert Martin of Fay Ranches.

The ranch abuts vast public lands on two sides. A large tract of BLM makes up the western boundary (across the river), then to the south, the 243,000 acre Rio Grande del Norte National Monument sprawls into New Mexico. Massive, stunning 360-degree views take in distant snow-capped mountains, and Ute Mountain rises in the southern foreground begging to be climbed. A historic gauging station with a cable car still hangs over this vital watershed. This is an exciting, charismatic live water environment that sings out the majestic nature of the Rio Grande – a river wildlife corridor that reaches 1,900 miles across three states! A solitary but easy-to-access location, the property is less than one hour from Taos, New Mexico, with gas and groceries available in nearby Costilla, New Mexico.

Costilla County is 95% privately owned. Land trusts and the BLM are very interested in expanding protected lands here. Large private river parcels are not common, so this one presents an opportunity for conservation. Currently, however, there are no conservation easements or restrictions. It is just a dramatic, private get-away where one can fish, explore, hunt, and hike to their hearts content. Bring your pop-up, Fifth Wheel, or rock-star bus. The county-maintained dirt roads are pretty good. There are also some off-grid homes in the immediate area.

Much is written about the Rio Grande Gorge, but in The Last Beautiful Days of Autumn, Milagro Beanfield War author John Nichols reflects, I experience a great lust to disappear into the Rio Grande Gorge, there to spend afternoons among basalt boulders, plying the low clear river for trout. Everything physical seems to come together, in my body and on the surrounding land. Each perfect day, I know, is going to be the last beautiful day of autumn.

Los Trigos Ranch

Posted on: April 1st, 2022 by Greg Walker

Los Trigos Ranch is an iconic 612 acre Pecos River property just 30 minutes from Santa Fe. Los Trigos was part of Tex Austins Forked Lightning Ranch, later owned by Buddy Fogelson and his wife, actress Greer Garson. Owned and loved by the Cowles family since 1990, Los Trigos sits directly between the two properties formerly owned by Jane Fonda and Val Kilmer.

The six-building compound was custom designed by the architect and late owners, Bill Cowles and his wife Ginny, who raised and trained Norwegian Fjord horses on the property The cohesive exteriors of all buildings in the compound are Northern New Mexico pitched-roof style, with unique vertical wood planks and plaster chinking. The improvements include an owners residence, managers house, foaling barn with office, stables, workshop, and a detached studio. A machinery barn and a small river cabin are outside the main compound.

Almost two miles of the trout-filled Pecos River meanders through the middle of the ranch, dotted by majestic cottonwoods and native willows. With its deep pools and white riffles, the river offers some of the best fly fishing in the state. Large elk, mule deer, and black bears roam the property. Los Trigos adjoins the Santa Fe National Forest on the north, offering endless recreational possibilities. Los Trigos is truly remarkable.

Arkansas River – 900 28th Ln, Pueblo

Posted on: May 13th, 2021 by Greg Walker

UNDERCONTRACT River frontage and bluff building sites. Spring-fed pond. 35 acres in two legal parcels. This is the good stuff! Two building sites on top that overlook the river valley with Pikes Peak Views. Some large, very nice houses along the bluffs, but this land is also very private. A wonderful weeping-willow-lined spring-fed pond is on top along with the bluff building sites (8 acres total on top). No covenants or restrictions. The lower land contains both sides of the Arkansas River where wildlife abounds (27 acres in the bottom). Bottomlands are not all floodplain! Hunt, fish, and graze livestock before and after building the house of your dreams. Currently there is a deer blind on the lower land but seller reserves the right to remove. St Charles Mesa is a very desirable area, convenient to Pueblo and I25. Try River Ranches dot com UNDERCONTRACT

Two Rivers Ranch

Posted on: May 2nd, 2021 by Greg Walker

CONTRACT PENDING! Two Rivers Ranch has frontage on the Rio Grande and Conejos rivers. Moreover, the unique Conejos diversion flows through the property, as do irrigation ditches and a special warm spring. All the water creates a wetland environment and makes this ranch a true oasis. Just reduced $100,000 August 2021!

Irrigated hay meadows (water rights) produce 300 tons of native hay and provide fall and winter grazing. Tree-lined riparian areas shelter and protect livestock making good calving ground for cattle and elk. There’s a 15 gpm well so cows can stay off the Rio Grande. Carrying capacity is about 100 pairs. 7.75 shares of the Los Sauces Ditch Company are attached. An adjoining neighbor is currently leasing the ranch.

Hosting populations of Mule Deer and Elk, and lying in the Central Flyway for Waterfowl, hunting is a big attraction to the area. Keep in mind that the Rio Grande is a wildlife corridor that stretches nearly 1900 miles! Located in Colorado Game Unit 81, with Game Unit 83 across the Rio, hunting opportunities are vast. Two of 4 Elk-rifle-seasons are over-the-counter licenses, as are either-sex archery tags. Deer hunting is all draw but with good chances for tags. The Land Owner Preference Program also provides two applications for landowner permits.

The Rio Grande is known to have fish year-round including trout, bass, catfish, carp, and northern pike. When the broker made a recent trip with a local guide to fish the property, they were pleasantly surprised to catch northern pike in the Conejos diversion, as well as in the Rio Grande. Some fishermen enthusiastically pursue Northern Pike, and particularly at the confluence of the Conejos and Rio Grande, but pike can be hard on trout populations. Notwithstanding, Two Rivers Ranch is located in the heart of year-round renowned trout fishing, with New Mexico’s Rio Grande Gorge for spring and winter and the Conejos River Canyon for summer and fall fishing, both a short drive from the property.

This property is surrounded by open space and public lands. Adjoining on the east is the new San Luis Hills State Wildlife Area with 17,000+ acres! On the west, there are 5,000 acres plus of BLM that adjoin. Moreover, conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited and the Rio Grande Headwaters Trust hold significant conservation easements on surrounding private lands that will limit development and subdivision in the area.

The broker (or his game camera) has seen bobcat, porcupine, raccoons, skunk, coyote, elk, and deer. There are beaver dams along the waterways and bird nests in the trees. Bald eagles winter on the property, and one sees golden eagles, hawks, and owls. There are songbirds, snakes, reptiles, and amphibians. Geese and ducks take off and land while celebrated Sandhill Crane fill the skies. Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is 17 miles to the north with a visitor center sure to stimulate the birdwatcher in anyone.

The ranch is in two separate parcels located a quarter-mile apart. The western parcel is 796 acres of which 200 are irrigable. This west parcel boasts a mile of both sides of the Conejos meandering through a wonderful Cottonwood Bosque. The west parcel also holds the precious warm springs.

The eastern parcel is 372 acres. The productive hay meadows are here and wetlands form around them. The treasured Rio Grande runs along this parcel for 1.25 miles, and both sides of the unique Conejos diversion flow through it for a mile. Willows and cottonwoods line the diversion banks providing cover that animals use to move from the Rio Grande onto the ranch.

Regarding the warm spring (Dexter Springs), temperatures can get cold in the San Luis Valley. However the spring is a constant temperature and doesn’t freeze, keeping the river accessible all winter and concentrating wildlife here. It is a unique micro-environment that expands the biodiversity of the area. There is a perpetual duck hunting lease on 200 acres at the warm springs area.

There is a conservation easement in place on the ranch that is favorable to continued farming and ranching, and opportunities abound to enhance wildlife habitat in cooperation with federal and state wildlife agencies. An owner has a choice of two designated building sites. Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust holds the conservation easement.

This offering is anchored in agriculture production and has clear appreciation opportunities based on fabulous water resources and an unbelievable concentration of wildlife. The ranch is owned by Western Rivers Conservancy and offered at $1,600,000.

Pecos River Retreat

Posted on: March 30th, 2021 by

Architect designed and well constructed Northern New Mexico style compound on the Pecos River! This artistic retreat is perfectly sited on a hill overlooking the beautiful Pecos River Valley. 36 acres with 1/2 mile of riverfront and wonderful cottonwood bosque. The 1440 sq ft abobe main house, 1660 sq ft guest house/art studio and 400 sq ft office/library are arranged around a charming central courtyard. Commanding views from the two balconies and deck with improvements that blend in perfectly with the surroundings. Plaster walls, vaulted ceilings, stained concrete and wood flooring, custom cherry cabinets, imported tile, custom lighting, radiant floor heat, sauna and steam shower. Outdoor hot tub, landscaped gardens, and extensive water catchment system. Fish for trout or swim in the Pecos River. Make the short trip into Santa Fe for wining and dining or just enjoy the solitude in pampered comfort.

Cumbres Pass

Posted on: November 11th, 2020 by

CONTRACT PENDING Romantic and western at the top of Cumbres Pass, this 27 acre parcel has 1,000 feet of Wolf Creek running through it! This is alpine country where aspen groves turn brilliant colors in the fall! Adjoining National Forest on its northern boundary, the Celebrated and Scenic Narrow-Gauge-Railroad passes thru the property close to where the shoulder of State Highway 17 defines this tract’s western boundary. Good building and/or camping sites present themselves as an old roadbed from the previous highway – level and accommodating. Are you a hiker or just have plenty of energy? Well the Continental Divide Trail passes nearby with trailheads just a few miles away – right at the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad National Historic Landmark. And besides your private water, there is more great fishing in the immediate area at Trujillo Meadow Reservoir and on the flowing Rio de los Pinos. As ranch brokers, rarely do Robert and I find a property more appealing to both of our sensibilities. This place hits all the markers; stunningly gorgeous, a stretch of private live water, game rich, value priced, and adjoining 1.83 million acres of public land. We’ve honestly discuss buying it ourselves but just have too many other irons in the fire. This easily accessible, stunningly beautiful land is located between Antonito and Chama. Lying at around 10,000 feet in elevation it is off-the-grid and will have its winter season to consider. Notwithstanding, show me a finer piece of unrestricted private property adjoining the Rio Grande National Forest. My impression is the train is only running in September and October when the fall colors attract a greater number of paying customers. I don’t believe this listing will last very long – think it will sell fast so don’t hesitate.

Rio Grande Gorge Ranch

Posted on: July 11th, 2020 by Greg Walker

275 +/- deeded acres with 3/4 mile of gorgeous river, this stunning property has 360 degree views of the Sangre de Cristos and Ute Mountain. Wild yet accessible, it offers a unique fishing experience for Monster Brown Trout and Huge Northern Pike! Deer and Elk traverse the property and the seller was awarded a deer tag private-lands-rifle-hunt for 2016 from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The property contains a private trailhead that provides rare river access into the gorge and there is a historic gauging station just below this property’s south boundary. A volcanic cone rising 3000 feet above the surrounding plain, Ute Mountain is the dominate land feature, is BLM public land, and is fun to climb! The newly designated Rio Grande del Norte National Monument (242,500 acres) lies to the south just across the state line, and the property is adjoined by a large chunk of BLM to the west across the river. Less than one hour from Taos with easy access from NM-522 this land is close to Jaroso and amenities like gas/groceries in Costilla, New Mexico. With Costilla County 99% privately owned, Land Conservancies, the state, and the county are interested in protecting river. This is a unique larger piece of river on the radar for protection but manageable for an individual, currently without any conservation easements or restrictions! Fish and hike, and/or build your off-the-grid retreat, and/or work to preserve it with a Conservancy organization. The owner currently cooperates with the neighbor to the south where the adjoining property with similar river frontage continues all the way to the state line and borders the Rio Grande del Norte Monument land along the State Line Road.