The 2,017+/- deeded acre Royal Elk Ranch possesses an unmatched suite of attributes and natural beauty within easy striking distance of Vail and Aspen. Exceptionally private, the ranch offers an aspen and pine forest setting with ski runs, abundant wildlife and unmatched viewsheds. Year-round recreational opportunities are limitless both within the ranch as well as on the adjacent White River National Forest and BLM lands. Perched above the Colorado River just off the Interstate 70 corridor, Royal Elk is the hard-to-find large acreage holding that is attractive and close to world-class skiing and amenities. Unique to the ranch are its art installations. Found in various locations throughout the property (including a particular fork in the road), these original pieces were featured at Burning Man. While not included in the offering price, the installations are negotiable. At Royal Elk Ranch, one will find a diverse mountain landscape with a blend of large aspen groves and stands of spruce and Douglas-fir intermixed with meadows and open ridge tops. At the core of the property are the ranch's ski runs, which begin on ridge tops and descend through aspen and oak-covered slopes. The lower eastern elevations of the property are a balance of open meadow, aspen stands and oak forest. While the ranch itself is beautiful, the views it provides are unsurpassed. From the property, one has intimate views of Deep Creek Canyon as well as panoramic views of the Eagle and Colorado River valleys, the Maroon Bells, Mount Sopris, the Gore Range, Elk Mountains, Castle Mountain and the Flat Tops Range. Royal Elk is also home to a robust elk population, has good numbers of mule deer and has long provided excellent hunting during the archery and rifle seasons. One can easily access the surrounding national forest and BLM lands on foot, by vehicle or snow machine, depending on the time of year. A foot trail from the ranch also provides a unique point of access to the bottom of Deep Creek Canyon and fishing on Deep Creek. Royal Elk is unencumbered by conservation easements. The ranch is lightly improved with a nice cabin, well-appointed yurt, and newly constructed 3,000+/- square foot machine shop/toy barn. All improvements are off-grid, with the cabin and machine shop powered by contemporary solar systems. Behind the ranch's three access gates are miles of private internal roads, which provide access throughout. Access to the property is seasonal with winter access provided by snowmobile or snowcat. All equipment, including a PistenBully snowcat, is included in the offering. Royal Elk is a 35-minute drive from the Eagle County Regional Airport and FBO. The ranch is accessed via Coffee Pot Road, which sits one and three-quarters miles north of the Dotsero exit off Interstate 70. The first entrance to the ranch is located six and a half miles up Coffee Pot Road. Drive time from Vail is one hour and Aspen is a one-and-a-half-hour drive. Offered in cooperation with Paul Gotthelf, Slifer Smith & Framton Real Estate. Some of the outstanding photography herein was provided by GTR Photo. The Fact: ~ 2,017+/- deeded acres ~ Beautiful and private mountain setting with aspen and pine forest ~ Bordering White River National Forest and BLM lands ~ Private ski runs ~ Unmatched viewshed including nearly every significant mountain range in Colorado ~ Dramatic views of Deep Creek Canyon ~ Excellent big game hunting ~ Minutes from angling on Deep Creek and the Colorado River ~ Comfortable cabin, newly built shop/toy barn and well-appointed yurt - all off-grid ~ Limitless recreational opportunities on and around the ranch ~ Unencumbered by conservation easements ~ 35 minutes from Eagle County Regional Airport and FBO in Gypsum, Colorado ~ Minutes from Interstate 70 ~ One hour from Vail and Aspen is a one-and-a-half-hour drive

In the secluded northwest corner of Colorado's world-renowned Vail Valley lies the upper Sweetwater Creek valley-a pristine alpine setting that’s both picturesque and accessible. Flanked by 10,000 to 11,000-foot peaks of the Flat Tops mountains, it's an ideal location for an extraordinary fishing and equestrian retreat. Clear streams tumble out of the adjacent national forest and BLM lands, feeding ponds and providing cool flows for rising trout. Abundant stream and pond resources have been professionally enhanced to elevate the habitat and angling experience, especially using dry flies. For those seeking variety, the legendary Colorado River is just nine miles away, offering additional blue-ribbon fishing. The Ranch on Sweetwater packs a lot of diversity in its 411+/- acres, encompassing both lush valley floor and forested mountain areas. The property's irrigated meadows, rolling pastures, aspen groves and mountain parks attract wildlife including elk, mule deer, black bear, bald eagles, grouse and waterfowl. At the heart of the ranch is a fully restored 1880s lodge-a stunning centerpiece where historic charm meets refined comfort. Renowned Western architect Jonathan Foote supervised the restoration and expansion to a primary residence. Signature features include the original stone fireplace, hand-hewn timbers, and a gourmet kitchen with bar area, perfect for entertaining. The expansive pondside stone patio invites outdoor gatherings beneath the canopy of old-growth spruce, cottonwood, and aspen trees. Three beautifully preserved guest cabins-charming relics of the property's Girl Scout camp era-offer cozy, private accommodations. The equestrian and caretaker/operational structures are thoughtfully concentrated into areas that are close yet separate from the owner and guest compound. Secluded mountain retreats can often be challenging to access, but not so with the Ranch on Sweetwater. A well-maintained county road provides year-round access to the ranch. Topography and dense vegetation screen the road from the headquarters, creating remarkable privacy. Notably, the county road dead-ends just past the ranch at Sweetwater Lake, meaning it only sees local traffic. An easy drive down valley to the Colorado River Road and I-70 puts the commercial airport in Gypsum at 25 miles from the ranch (35-40 minutes), and Vail at 59 miles (60-65 minutes). Fully improved and offered turnkey, this well-appointed property is ready for immediate enjoyment-a rare opportunity that blends timeless Western heritage with luxurious accommodations and immersive outdoor pursuits. The Facts: ~ 411+/- deeded acres ~ Senior water rights dating back to 1890 ~ Two creeks, Sweetwater and Gruner, bisect the ranch ~ Fisheries and aquatic habitats professionally enhanced by Urbani Fisheries ~ Multiple ponds and springs for fishing and wildlife ~ Current owner acquired the initial portion of the ranch in 1994 ~ 1.75+/- miles of boundary with national forest and BLM ~ Property elevations range from 7,500 to 8,700 feet ~ Several scenic hiking and horse trails radiate from Sweetwater Lake up into the Flat Tops ~ Historic log and stone lodge is 3,464+/- square feet ~ Three two-bedroom cabins are 550+/- square feet each ~ Caretaker's house is 1,210+/- square feet ~ Additional cabin is 780+/- square feet ~ Three-stall horse barn with tack room, hay storage building ~ 9 miles to Colorado River Road ~ 16 miles to I-70 at the Dotsero interchange ~ 25 miles (~35 minutes) to the Eagle County Regional Airport at Gypsum, which is the commercial airport serving the Vail Valley ~ 30 miles (~40 minutes) to Eagle ~ 50 miles (~1 hour) to Avon/Beaver Creek Ski Resort ~ 59 miles (~1 hour and 5 minutes) to Vail Ski Resort ~ 75 miles (~1 hour and 45 minutes) to Aspen and Snowmass Village ~ 87 miles (~2 hours) to Steamboat Springs ~ 150 miles (~2 hours and 30 minutes) to Denver