Possessing a scale and ecological diversity that place it among the premier ranch holdings in North America, the Prospect Mountain Ranch is an unrivaled, legacy-scale enterprise. In a single, completely contiguous operation, the ranch encompasses a vast range of climatic zones, descending from the timbered, alpine-influenced high country to the sweeping arid high plains. This is the operational heart of the entire Midland Ranch offering--a complete, turn-key operation with a substantial carrying capacity of 1,100-1,400 pair, world-class water and wildlife resources, and has been thoughtfully developed over the decades as a highly economical “walk in, walk out” operation.
The Land & Operation
The scale of the Prospect Mountain Ranch is staggering, comprising a total of 6,890± AUMs from a combination of private and in-common allotments.
- 1860 AUMs are in-common allotments
- 5030 AUMs in private, fenced allotments
- 1500 AUMs on deeded and custodial
The land tenure includes:
- Deeded: 2,380± acres
- State Lease: 4,147± acres
- Custodial BLM Allotment: Long Draw Allotment (2,076± acres)
- Private BLM Allotment: Buckskin Sandy (8,508 acres)
- In-Common BLM Allotments: Poston and Prospect Mountain (89,995± acres)
- Forest Service Allotments: Irish Canyon, Lamreaux, Lower Dutch, Muddy Canyon, and West Sagebrush (33,128± acres)
An additional 1700 AUMs are potentially available via private lease. The ranch is organized into 14 total grazing blocks. The grazing season runs from May 1 to December 1. All fencing is sheep-tight and functionally wildlife-friendly. Access is secured by a 30-year BLM right-of-way with 26 years remaining.
Headquarters & Improvements
The ranch is supported by a full suite of improvements and a headquarters complex built for large-scale production. The headquarters includes two residences, historic structures, and outbuildings. The working facilities are extensive, featuring corrals, a shipping pen with a commercial scale, a complete weaning facility, calving barns, and shearing/lambing barns. Historically, these facilities have supported the winter feeding of as many as 5,500 head of sheep and 1,500 cattle with no issues. The entire headquarters is served by an excellent, well-maintained county road.
Water Resources
Water is abundant and diverse across the ranch. The property commands the third-highest diversion point on the Little Sandy River and is the sole ditch right and diversion point holder. Surface water rights total 7.84 cfs for 549 acres, with senior priority dates of 1905, 1908, and 1911. In high-water conditions, available surplus water rights mean existing infrastructure can handle double the flow. Stored and natural water resources include:
- Reservoirs:
- Zemba Reservoir: 87 acre-feet of storage with a priority date of 1908.
- Squaretop Reservoir (Antelope Springs): 16 acre-feet of storage with a priority date of 1916.
- Taliaferro Number Three Reservoir: 0.5 acre-feet of storage with a priority date of 1909.
- Wells & Springs:
- 8 artesian wells with priority dates of 1992.
- 4 pump wells (two converted to solar, one submersible) with priority dates of 1977, 2008, and 2012.
- 9 springs on the BLM and Forest Service lands with a season from April 1 to Nov. 15.
River Corridors & Wildlife Sanctuary
The ranch contains significant live water and is a true sportsman’s paradise, home to the same species the Shoshone historically hunted. This land encompasses 435 acres of flood-irrigated improved hay fields. There are an additional 125 acres of flood-irrigated native hay meadow, as well as another 630 acres of flood and sub-irrigated pasture, for a grand total of 1200 acres. The northern deeded portions contain timber and provide direct access to the National Forest.
The property features approximately 9.5 miles of deeded and state lease land along the Big Sandy River, including 7.5 miles on both sides of the river and 2 miles on one side. Of these, 7.5 miles are deeded. It also controls 2.25 miles of deeded and state land along the Little Sandy River, with 1.25 miles on both sides and one mile on one side. Both rivers have sports fishery potential with abundant brown and brook trout. An ongoing fishery program is in place, and the drainage is protected by a fish step at the confluence of Long Draw and the Little Sandy River.
It is also a critical wildlife epicenter, with as many as 15,000 antelope traversing the ranch annually. There is excellent habitat for sage grouse as well as the Holback Mule deer herd and the Sublette Antelope herd, including 1,500-2,000 deer annually, 1,500-3,500 antelope annually, plus a resident elk herd of 350-400. Other species include wolves, coyotes, moose, black bear, beaver, bobcat, coyote, muskrat, mountain lion, bald eagles, and golden eagles.
The Midland Ranch Unit 3: Prospect Mountain Ranch is a distinct and remarkable property offered for individual sale. Prospective buyers should be aware that it is also a key component of the legendary Midland Ranch, a legacy-scale holding of over one million acres which is being offered in its entirety. This larger portfolio represents a complete, year-round operation stretching from the timbered high country to the arid expanse of the Red Desert, encompassing world-class water rights, wildlife resources, and historical significance. While each unit stands powerfully on its own merits, the opportunity to acquire the complete Midland Ranch is a singular event in the western ranch market.
