The Ranch is located along Hidaway Springs Road, between Camas Creek Valley by pioneer community of Ukiah at Highway 395, and North Fork John Day River. John Day River is one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the lower forty-eight states and is an important river system for anadromous fish. It supports wild populations of bull, redband, and rainbow trout, and largest remaining wild run of Chinook salmon and steelhead in Columbia River Basin.

The 26,378 acre Bridge Creek Wildlife Area, managed by Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, is nine miles southwest of the Ranch, along North Fork John Day River and Highway 395. Seasonally, over 1,000 Rocky Mountain Elk congregate in winter at the wildlife area to escape snow at higher elevations, and contribute to the areas reputation for elk hunting.

Hidaway Creek Ranch 1,494 acres have an undulating landscape providing exceptional views west and south to the Blue Mountains, with elevations ranging from 4,000 to 4,400 feet. It has combination of rolling open meadows and grasslands, natural springs and livestock ponds, stands of timber, and year-round Hidaway Creek along portions of its northern boundary. These components contribute to a landscape for seasonal grazing of cattle and horses, and provide prime wildlife habitat for Rocky Mountain Elk, blacktail deer, turkey, bear and upland birds. It is within the ODFW Ukiah Unit 49 and qualifies for three Landowner Preference Tags for hunting.

The entire Ranch is fenced, with a total of three pastures. In recent years, Seller has run 80-100 heifers for three to five months, depending on the year or cow/calf equivalency.

Adjoining owner to the south is 55,756 acre Cable Creek Ranch, a large cattle operation. Other owners to the north in Camas Creek Valley are major landowners including the largest in Eastern Oregon - Pendleton Ranches - which uses its property for cattle and sheep operations.

Improvements include a two bedroom, two bathroom manufactured home, and shop, both in good condition, along with horse stall and shed. All improvements are located on Auction Property #3, the 497 acre South Parcel. Seller has invested over $70,000 in improvements and repairs since 2020.

The 1,494 acre Ranch is being offered both in its entirety at $1,599,500, or $1,070 per acre, and with option to submit bids on Auction Property #3, the 497 acre South Parcel with improvements at $769,500, or Auction Property #4, the 997 acre North Parcel at $830,000. Individual sales of Auction Properties #3 and #4 are subject to total bids in the aggregate to equal, or exceed, the bulk published reserve price of $1,599,500.

In addition to attractive auction pricing for the Ranch in either its entirety, or in two parcels, existing zoning provides opportunity for a new owner to partition the 997 acre North Parcel into two smaller hobby ranch tracts, each having option for a ranch-related dwelling to increase values. See Supplemental Information Package for detail. There may be value from obtaining a Conservation Easement to extinguish all development rights by dividing Auction Property #4 into four 240 acre parcels.

Acquisition of the 1,494 acre Hidaway Creek Ranch is a rare buying opportunity at $1,070 per acre for a northeast Oregon ranch in a spectacular setting along foothills of Blue Mountains, in proximity to both Pendleton and North Fork John Day River. It provides exceptional opportunity as hobby ranch, or as hunting and family retreat.

IMPROVEMENTS

All improvements are located on Auction Property #3 South Parcel, with gated entry from Hidaway Springs Road.

Home

A 2005 Guerdon two bedroom, two bathroom, 1,300 square foot manufactured home is on concrete foundation. Home has vaulted ceilings throughout, vinyl flooring, and alder trim. Great room has electric fireplace, large windows on east and north sides, open dining area, and kitchen with alder cabinets.

The front porch is enclosed, with removable plexiglass panels for winterization. The primary suite is 136 by 134, with bathroom with shower soaking tub. There is a large closet.

The second bedroom is 111 by 1314 and is currently used as an office.

There is a utility room with washer and dryer, electric furnace/HVAC, water heater, and entry from outside.

Over $42,000 in improvements have been made to the home since 2020 which include: new metal roof, interior painting, front porch panels, and new HVAC: The home is served by on-site well and septic system. Power is provided by Columbia Power Cooperative, and internet service is from both HughesNet and Starlink.

The home is in good condition. A September 2024 Home Inspection Report and Septic System Report are included in Supplemental Information Package.

Shop

A 1,200 square foot shop constructed in 2005 is located near the home. It has a 14 by 12 overhead door, concrete floor, metal siding, and roof. It is insulated, and has florescent lighting. The shop is served by 110 power, but is capable of 220.

A Lopi Liberty NexGen-Fyre wood stove was installed in 2020 at a cost of $8,500.

Horse Stall and Hay Storage Shed

The 441 square foot building has two 10 by 9.5 horse stalls, each with rubber mats, and small area for hay storage. It is pine framed with wood siding. There are Noble Panel runs that have been used by horses and cattle, with three loading chutes by entry drive. A fenced pasture is east and south of the horse stall and hay storage building.

Seller has made more than $20,000 in improvements since 2020, with replacement roof and walls, has added Tyvek and fiber cement to the rear of building.

Machine/Tool Shed

There is a two-bay shed of 33 x 26, with 8 wall height located next to shop. Shed has 14 peak, and is pole-constructed with pine siding.

Pumphouse

There is a small wooden pine pumphouse on cement pad with pump, pressure tank, and electric panel. The well produces 10 gpm.

RANCH PROPERTY

The property is located along Hidaway Springs Road, a gravel road maintained by the County. There are over one and a half miles of frontage with Auction Property #3 on the south side and Auction Property #4 on the north side. Ranch extends two miles north to south, and one and a half miles east to west. There are four gated entrances, and the entire Ranch is fenced.

Auction Property #4 is cross-fenced, providing a total of three fenced pastures.

Elevations range from 4,000 feet along Hidaway Creek to 4,400 feet on ridge of northeast section of Auction Property #4. Majority of Ranch is at 4,100 foot elevation, with gentle to rolling topography.

A total of five livestock ponds with several natural springs are located on the Ranch. Seasonal Mud Creek runs through both north and south parcels.

Hidaway Creek, a year-round stream tributary to Camas Creek, bisects portions of northern boundary within a steep drainage. There is access via a trail to Camas Creek that attracts elk and other wildlife.

An estimated 50 acres of Auction Property #4 northeast of Mud Creek is productive growing ground for hay.

Seller has completed wildfire mitigation by thinning stands of timber throughout both parcels, as well as near residence.

There are several locations for view homesites to Blue Mountains on the North Parcel, as well as on the South Parcel if existing home is replaced, as allowed by Umatilla County.

Grazing Lease

Existing lease will be terminated prior to close of escrow.

Zoning

The entire Ranch is zoned GF (Grazing Farm) with CWR (Critical Winter Overlay. Minimum parcel size for a dwelling is 240 acres, and CWR overlay zone has certain criteria for siting new dwellings to reduce impact on winter wildlife grazing. Zoning description with Umatilla County contact information is included in the Supplemental Information Package.

Easement

An access easement is located in the western section of Auction Property #3 for Cable Creek Ranch, which it uses occasionally for operations.

Survey

A recorded survey dated July 2024 was prepared by Wells Surveying for purpose of partition that created Auction Properties #3 and #4.

Taxes

Both parcels are designated grazing and farm use for tax purposes. Total 2024-2025 taxes are less than $4,000.

SEALED BIDS DUE JUNE 25, 2025 - Contact listing broker for bid package