6,500± Acres | Llano & San Saba Counties, Texas

Description

The Upper Cherokee Creek Ranch is located northwest of Valley Spring, Texas, and lies in both Llano and San Saba Counties. The ranch is accessed off Llano County Road 410, a county-maintained gravel road, and extends west into San Saba County near FM 501, which runs between Cherokee and Pontotoc.

The ranch consists of approximately 6,500 acres of some of the most interesting country you will find in this part of the Texas Hill Country. It has been operated primarily as a working cattle ranch, and for the past 30 years the owners have put a tremendous amount of work into brush control, pasture management, water development, fencing and the overall operation of the ranch.

There are a lot of things that make this ranch stand out, but one of the first is the major divide and elevation change that runs completely through the property. You can go from big open grass country to high points with views that seem to go forever, then drop off into canyons with springs working their way down through them. There are rock bluffs along portions of the divide, and large live oak motts scattered through the open, savannah-like grasslands.

Cherokee Creek and its upper drainage run through the eastern portion of the ranch on top of the divide. Several springs are found throughout the ranch, some of which run year-round while others are seasonal. In normal conditions, the upper portions of Cherokee Creek hold and run water throughout the year, with the exception of the driest years.

The ranch has also seen very little hunting pressure. During the current ownership, hunting has basically been limited to one family. The quality of the whitetail deer is exceptional for this part of the Hill Country, and the combination of water, grass, oak cover, brush and rougher canyon country provides excellent habitat for deer and other native wildlife.

Cattle Operation

Cattle have been the main focus and function of the Upper Cherokee Creek Ranch for many years. According to the owner, the ranch is rated to run approximately 400 cows during normal rainfall years and around 300 cows during dry years.

The ranch is divided into multiple pastures, and the interior fencing has been laid out so cattle can be moved from one pasture to another without making a major job out of it. Both the perimeter and interior fencing are in good condition and have been maintained that way over the years.

Brush control has been an ongoing part of the management program, and that is something you notice when you drive through the ranch. There is an abundance of grass along with plenty of browse and cover for wildlife. The owners have worked to keep the ranch productive without stripping it of the cover that makes this country what it is.

There are four cattle working facilities located in key areas of the ranch. Three of these facilities are set up where trucks can be brought in and cattle loaded out. The pens and working facilities are functional, well maintained and positioned to serve a ranch of this size.

Water

Water is one of the ranch's strongest features. Underground water is considered abundant in this area, and the wells on the ranch are reported to be strong producers.

There are approximately 15 water wells across the ranch, including seven electric wells, three windmill wells and five solar wells. Electricity extends through much of the ranch and serves a portion of the wells, while several others have been converted to solar.

In addition to the wells, there are multiple springs located throughout the property. Some run continuously and others flow during wetter periods. The upper reaches of Cherokee Creek generally run year-round except during the very driest conditions.

There are also multiple earthen tanks located throughout the ranch that catch and hold water from rainfall runoff. Several of these tanks also receive overflow from nearby wells, providing additional water for both cattle and wildlife.

Between the wells, springs, Cherokee Creek and the numerous earthen tanks, the Upper Cherokee Creek Ranch is very well watered for a ranch of this size.

Improvements

There are three residences located on the ranch.

An older frame house sits below the divide and is currently occupied. A second residence is a rock hunting house built by the current owners. It is well done and comfortable without being overbuilt for its purpose. The third residence is a cabin-style house currently occupied by one of the ranch employees.

Electricity is available throughout much of the property and supports the residences, ranch improvements and several of the water wells.

Terrain & Vegetation

The terrain and vegetation are what really separate this ranch from a lot of large acreage properties in the area.

Along some of the springs are beautiful pecan bottoms, while live oaks and large live oak motts are scattered throughout the ranch. As you move toward the divide, the country begins to change, with a greater variety of trees, oak brush and native browse. Open grasslands give way to rougher breaks, canyons, rock outcroppings and higher elevations.

The major uplift running through the ranch creates a noticeable change not only in elevation but also in the rock formations and soil types. You can see the country change as you travel from the lower portions of the ranch to the top of the divide. For anyone interested in the geology of the Hill Country, this is an especially interesting piece of property.

What makes the Upper Cherokee Creek Ranch different is the amount of variety found within one boundary. There is productive cattle country, open grassland, heavy oak cover, pecan bottoms, springs, creek drainage, canyons, rock bluffs and high points with long-distance views. You can drive from one end of the ranch to another and feel like you have crossed several different ranches.

Wildlife & Recreation

Because hunting pressure has been kept to a minimum, the ranch has developed an excellent wildlife population. Whitetail deer are the primary game species, and the quality of the bucks seen on the property is exceptional for this area.

The ranch's size and diversity give wildlife everything they need—water, grass, browse, thick cover and large areas with very little disturbance. Beyond hunting, the ranch offers miles of country to explore by horseback, ATV or ranch vehicle, along with the springs, Cherokee Creek drainage, canyons and high points that make this ranch enjoyable year-round.

Broker Comments

I could go on and on describing the Upper Cherokee Creek Ranch, but this is one you really need to see from the ground to understand.

Large ranches of this size are hard enough to find, but finding one that combines a productive cattle operation with this kind of water, elevation change, scenery and wildlife is something different. The owners have taken care of this ranch for the past 30 years, and you can see it in the condition of the grass, fences, water system and working facilities.

If you are looking for a large Hill Country ranch that can continue to operate as a serious cattle ranch while also offering outstanding hunting, recreation and some truly unique country, I would encourage you to come take a look at the Upper Cherokee Creek Ranch.

It is one of a kind.