SOLD: Middle Fork Ranch Lots 2 & 3 | Fay Ranches

MIDDLE FORK RANCH

LOTS 2 & 3

Philipsburg, Montana

$1,500,000

259± Acres

INTRODUCTION

Set in the scenic valley of the Middle Fork of Rock Creek near Philipsburg, Montana, the 259± acre Middle Fork Ranch combines privacy, abundant recreation, and easy access to thousands of acres of public land. National Forest and the rugged Pintler Wilderness lie just beyond the property, with a gated boundary providing direct entry to endless trails for hiking, riding, and off-road adventures.

Wildlife is abundant, and elk and deer regularly move through the timber and visit the spring-fed pond, while the nearby Middle Fork of Rock Creek offers pristine water and exceptional fishing. The ranch’s varied terrain, including meadows, forested hillsides, and riparian areas, is combined to create a perfect setting for a full-time residence, a recreational retreat, or a multi-generational family legacy property.

Two contiguous parcels, Lot 2 (117.23± acres) and Lot 3 (141.74± acres), offer flexibility for future use. Electricity and fiber-optic service are available along Moose Lake Road, which is plowed in winter, ensuring predictable year-round access. The road is lightly traveled, making it a peaceful spot for residents and wildlife alike.

Middle Fork Ranch is about 20 minutes from historic Philipsburg, known for its charming shops, restaurants, and essential services. Besides, the nearby Discovery Basin Ski Area and Georgetown Lake offer recreational opportunities for those seeking summer and winter activity away from the ranch. Missoula’s international airport, major medical facilities, and urban amenities are roughly 1.5± hours away.

With its sweeping mountain views, rich wildlife habitat, and direct connection to vast public lands, Middle Fork Ranch is a rare Montana offering. It is an ideal basecamp for hunting, fishing, horseback riding, snow sports, or simply enjoying the quiet beauty of the Pintler Mountains.

1 Middle Fork Ranch Lots 2 & 3 | Philipsburg, Montana

QUICK FACTS

• Backs up to thousands of acres of Forest Service Property

• Approximately 259 acres

• Acreage is broken into two tax lots (Lot 2 117.23± acres; Lot 3 141.74± acres)

• Middle Fork of Rock Creek is across the road

• Close to the mainstem of Rock Creek

• Georgetown Lake is close by

• Moose Lake is approximately 5 miles from the property

• Easy access to the Pintler Wilderness

• Horses are encouraged

• Elk and deer hunting is extraordinary

• Close to the quaint town of Philipsburg

• Minutes away from Discovery Ski Basin

ACREAGE

The offering is comprised of two separate tax lots totaling 259± acres. Lot 2 is approximately 117.23 acres, and Lot 3 is approximately 141.74 acres. The acreage is a combination of rolling hills, timber knobs, a pond, and access to the adjacent Forest Service Property to the east.

RECREATION

In 1964, the United States Congress designated 158,615± acres in the Beaverhead/Deerlodge and Bitterroot national forests as a wilderness area now named the Anaconda – Pintler Wilderness Area. This wild and untamed area is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the continental United States. Situated on the continental divide, elevations range from 5,100± feet in the river bottoms to over 10,893± feet on West Goat Peak. The Continental Divide Trail stretches for over 45 miles through this scenic wilderness area. There are lots of mountain lakes to visit that offer excellent fishing and hunting opportunities.

The famed blue ribbon fishery “Rock Creek” is minutes from the property for fly fishing and float fishing adventures for a novice or experienced angler. Easy access to nearby National Forest Lands to enjoy various outdoor activities, including hunting, horseback riding, hiking, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and camping. Discovery Basin Ski Area is a short drive from the property and features a variety of terrain for all skill and abilities. Plus, groomed trails are ideal for cross-country skiing too.

HUNTING | WILDLIFE

The Philipburg Valley supports abundant wildlife populations and big game species including elk, whitetail and mule deer, moose, bighorn sheep and a variety of birds of prey that enjoy abundant water sources around the ranch.

The hunting on the Middle Fork Ranch Lots is fantastic due to the proximity of the escapement of the Forest Service and the Middle Fork of Rock Creek being the main watering source for the majority of the animals. The elk and deer move back and forth from cover, to feed, and then to water.

FISHING

Rock Creek is a legendary “blue ribbon” trout fishery. Large brown and native cutthroat trout are the two primary species in the fishery. The river originates high in the alpine meadows and flows through canyons and lush forests. Anglers can find fish on any given day, depending on the conditions. The Middle Fork of Rock Creek offers an excellent opportunity to land some nice fish. Moose Lake is known to have some nice-sized German Browns. Medicine Lake and Keiser Lake are very close to the ranch, and the opportunities are endless. Georgetown Lake is well-known for its large brown, cutthroat, and brook trout. The lake is open all year round, so anglers enjoy fishing in all seasons. East Fork Reservoir is a lesser-known spot for fishing, but those who discover it will be impressed with the quality of the fishing.

SKIING

Discover Ski Mountain is a hidden gem. The summit is 8,158± feet above sea level and sports a 2,388± foot vertical drop. Skiers enjoy dry powder, amazing views, and short lift lines.

AREA HISTORY

Settlers flocked to the Philipsburg Valley in the 1800s for precious metals. They discovered a lush valley with plentiful grass and water, abundant wildlife, and the lifestyle of the Great American West. Ranchers enjoyed the black fertile soil and the grassy slopes.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

Philipsburg is the heart of the valley where locals from all walks of life congregate. The pure Western charm tantalizes the senses, and the residents warm your heart. Quaint shops, eateries, and a brewery line the streets.

LOCATION

Philipsburg, Montana, is a town with deep roots in mining history and a strong connection to the land. Founded in 1867, it served as a silver boomtown and retains much of its original character with wellpreserved Victorian-era architecture. The rugged peaks of the Sapphire Mountains and the surrounding Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest mark the geography around Philipsburg. More than 75 lakes and reservoirs are nearby, with Georgetown Lake just a short drive away. Today, Philipsburg blends outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and small-town culture with galleries, breweries, and restored storefronts.

GETTING THERE

Leaving Missoula, travel east to Drummond (approx. 40 min). Head south on Highway 1 to Philipsburg (29± miles). Go past Philipsburg approximately 6 miles to Skalkaho Highway, and turn right. Travel on Skalkaho Highway for approximately 8 miles. Turn left onto Moose Lake Road. The ranch is approximately 5 miles up Moose Lake Road on the left.

AIRPORT SERVICES

The Bert Mooney Airport in Butte is a short 30+ minute drive. It features a newly constructed terminal and commercial flights on Delta to Salt Lake City for travel ease and convenience from a small, visitor-friendly Western Montana airport. Butte Aviation offers a full-service FBO at Bert Mooney to cater to the needs of private aircraft visiting the area.

Missoula International Airport is only 90± minutes from the ranch. MSO offers direct flights to nine major US markets and connecting flights to thousands of cities worldwide. Direct flights include Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Las Vegas.

Riddick Field Airport is located on the outskirts of Philipsburg. The airport boasts a paved 3,600’ X 60’ runway.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

Each of us at Fay loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.

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www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

WATER RIGHTS

Montana waters, in all their varied forms and locations, belong to the State for the benefit of its people. A water right is the right to use the water within state-established guidelines, and not any ownership of the water itself. Since water rights in Montana are guided by the prior appropriation doctrine, a person’s right to use a specific quantity of water depends on when the use of water began, establishing the relative priority date of use on the water source. The first person to use water from a source established the first right, the second person could establish a right to the water that was left, and so on. Additionally, water users are limited to the amount of water that can be beneficially used. Beneficial use includes, but is not limited to, agricultural, recreational, fish, wildlife and domestic purposes.

Montana is currently conducting a statewide adjudication of all water rights with priority dates prior to July 1, 1973. The statewide adjudication is a court process that prioritizes and quantifies all existing water rights in each Montana drainage basin. With 85 basins in Montana, and over 219,000 water right claims, the statewide adjudication is a massive undertaking that is expected to stretch well into the future. Until the adjudication process is complete, the status of any particular water right claim cannot be guaranteed. Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons do not warrant or make any representation concerning the quantity or quality of any water rights, nor any legal entitlement to use of water rights, permits to appropriate water, exempt existing rights, determination of existing water rights, nor any ditches, ditch rights, or ditch easements appurtenant to or constituting a burden on the property. Water rights claims appurtenant to the property may or may not have been fully or finally adjudicated, and any Buyer is advised to make any offer to purchase contingent upon and subject to such independent inspections, evaluations, and advice concerning the water rights and adjudication process as a Buyer might deem prudent. All Buyers should be aware that Fay Ranches, Inc., its brokers and salespersons involved in this offering have not conducted an expert inspection or analysis of the water rights for this property.

SUMMARY

Middle Fork Ranch Lots offers year-round access, electricity, and fiber optic internet while surrounded by the mountains. The property provides unique access to federal land, which is very special. The property has an extensive trail system with old logging roads leading into the adjacent federal land. Whether you are a hunter or just someone looking for a destination to get away, this property is an exceptional opportunity to enjoy all the Philipsburg Valley offers. Moose Lake and Keiser Lake are just minutes out your front door, or spend the evening fishing on Rock Creek. This is a very special property.

This is an exclusive co-listing with Fay Ranches and Clearwater properties. Please contact John Anderson at (406) 750-0820 | janderson@fayranches.com or Robin Morrison at (406) 370-8381 | robinm@cmpmontana.com to schedule a showing. An agent from Fay Ranches or Clearwater Properties must be present at all showings unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www.fayranches.com.

$1,500,000 Cash

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.

RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE

As required by Montana law, a broker or salesperson shall disclose the existence and nature of relevant agency or other relationships to the parties to a real estate transaction. The various relationships and description of duties are as follows:

1. SELLER AGENT

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Act solely in the best interests of the seller; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the seller; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the seller agent and not known or discoverable by the seller unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the seller agent; Safeguard the seller’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the seller’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the seller for any funds or property of the seller that comes into the seller agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a seller and obtaining a seller’s written consent, to represent multiple sellers of property and to list properties for sale that may compete with the seller’s property, without breaching any obligation to the seller.

A “Seller Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to:

Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the seller agent, except that the seller agent is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; Disclose to a buyer or the buyer agent when the seller agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a buyer and a buyer agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

2. BUYER AGENT (cont)

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Seller to:

Disclose any adverse material facts that are known to the buyer agent and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Disclose to the seller or the seller agent when the buyer agent has no personal knowledge of the veracity of information regarding adverse material facts that concern the property; Act in good faith with a seller and a seller agent; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

3. DUAL AGENCY If a seller agent is also representing a buyer, or a buyer agent is also representing a seller with regard to a property, then a dual agency relationship may be established. In a dual agency relationship, the dual agent is equally obligated to both the seller and the buyer. These obligations may prohibit the dual agent from advocating exclusively on behalf of the seller or buyer and may limit the depth and degree of representation that you receive. A broker or a salesperson may not act as a dual agent without the signed, written consent of both the seller and the buyer.

A “Dual Agent” is obligated to a Seller in the same manner as a seller agent and is obligated to a Buyer in the same manner as a buyer agent, except a dual agent:

Has a duty to disclose to a buyer or seller any adverse material facts that are known to the dual agent regardless of any confidentiality considerations; and May not disclose the following information without the written consent of the person to whom the information is confidential; The fact that the buyer is willing to pay more than the offered purchase price; The fact that the seller is willing to accept less than the purchase price that the seller is asking for the property; Factors motivating either party to buy or sell; and Any information that a party indicates in writing to the dual agent is to be kept confidential.

4. STATUTORY BROKER

A “Statutory Broker” is not the agent of the Buyer or Seller but nevertheless is obligated to them to:

Disclose to: i. a buyer or buyer agent any adverse material facts that concern the property and that are known to the statutory broker, except that the statutory broker is not required to inspect the property or verify any statements made by the seller; and ii. a seller or a seller agent any adverse material facts that are known to the statutory broker and that concern the ability of the buyer to perform on any purchase offer; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in putting together a real estate transaction, and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations.

5. IN-HOUSE SELLER AGENT DESIGNATE Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house seller agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a seller for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the seller with respect to the designated transaction.

6. IN-HOUSE BUYER AGENT DESIGNATE

Created when the agency holds both the listing on a property from the seller and a buyer broker agreement with the buyer, an in-house buyer agent designate is a broker or salesperson employed by or associated as an independent contractor with a broker and designated by the broker as the exclusive agent for a buyer for a designated transaction and who may not be considered to be acting for other than the buyer with respect to the designated transaction.

BUYER AGENT

A “Buyer Agent” is obligated to the Buyer to: Act solely in the best interests of the buyer; Obey promptly and efficiently all lawful instructions of the buyer; Disclose all relevant and material information that concerns the real estate transaction and that is known to the buyer agent and not known or discoverable by the buyer, unless the information is subject to confidentiality arising from a prior or existing agency relationship on the part of the buyer agent; Safeguard the buyer’s confidences; Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in pursuing the buyer’s objectives and in complying with the terms established in the listing agreement; Fully account to the buyer for any funds or property of the buyer that comes into the buyer agent’s possession; and Comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Montana law permits a real estate agent, after providing written disclosure to a buyer and obtaining a buyer’s written consent, to represent multiple buyers interested in buying the same property or similar properties to properties in which a buyer is interested and to show properties in which a buyer is interested to other prospective buyers, without breaching any obligation to the buyer.

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