The historic Alpine Meadows Ranch is
a beautiful, rustic Frank Lloyd Wright designed certified organic 250+ acre estate
ranch and wildlife refuge in the Bitterroot Valley of southwestern
Montana just a few miles west of Darby. The ranch is located one hour
south of the Missoula international airport two miles west of highway 93 and is tucked between the Sapphire and Bitterroot
Mountains. The ranch offers breathtaking vistas of both mountain ranges!
This beautiful property sits at an elevation of 4,200 feet and borders the
Bitterroot National Forest and the Selway Wilderness Area, the largest
wilderness area in the country. The
Bitterroot valley is referred to as the "Banana Belt" of Montana due to the
frequent mild winters. The Bitterroot
River is just a few minutes away ,and we frequently enjoy some of the best
fly fishing in the west. The ranch offers us a secure, tranquil setting where
we can relax, enjoy, and
recharge.
Bend in the Bitterroot River
The original Wright designed house and cabin (
www.savewright.org,
www.franklloydwright.org ) are located within the 1909 Wright designed
"Como orchards-University
Heights subdivision". It has been reported that the ranch was
Wright's
first subdivision project in his Prairie Style of architecture. Wright originally designed
the original 2,500 acre property with a large bunkhouse and multiple small lots that now include the Frank Lloyd
Wright Prairie Style House and Cabin, the Upper and Lower Meadow
Suites, and the new Cider House entertainment center for family and
friends. The old bunkhouse was torn down decades ago. For Frank Lloyd
Wright fans, we have
provided historical
tours on request.
In the past, the ranch has been used as a working ranch
and currently a private recreational ranch estate. The property is comprised of multiple legal lot sizes ranging from less than one acre to
50 acres, including the 20 acre historical subdivision plot dated to 1910. To our knowledge, the
historical house and cabin are the
only Frank Lloyd Wright designed prairie style structures in the northwest.
Extensive wildlife inhabit the meadows and the 100 acres of forest on the ranch.
The Cider House entertainment center was built in 2003 and is aptly named, since it has been built to
resemble a turn of the century Frank Lloyd Wright designed building. The Cider House
has been built on the old 1920's ranch apple processing building site
using old barn wood from one of the old apple orchid barns that fell into
disrepair.
Incredible panoramic views of the Sapphire and
Bitterroot mountains are enjoyed from inside the Cider House or on the viewing deck.
There is a full kitchen and bathroom with shower in the Cider house as
well. We use the building for entertaining larger groups and for business
meetings. We also use the building for guest overflow sleeping quarters.
The Cider House
There is over 100+ acres of forest on the ranch. We have private horse back riding trails
through out the ranch that connect to miles of forest service trails. Additional ranch
activities include hiking, mountain biking,
relaxing in the ranch Jacuzzi, indoor basketball in the farm barn,
archery, and target shooting. We are conveniently located a few minutes
from shopping and the local hospital in Hamilton. The Hamilton
public golf course and the new aquatic center is just 15 minutes away.
Also, we enjoy the new fitness center a few
miles away in Darby with the latest in work out equipment, inclusive of
weight machines, free weights, and cardio. An airport with jet service is
also found in Hamilton and the international airport is in Missoula one
hour away. Rental cars are available in Hamilton at Enterprise.
The ranch is certified organic and is free of pesticides and herbicides. The
water from the well is pure without a possibility of human contamination.
Cattle are pastured on our certified organic fields during the spring and summer, and sold in the
fall. Quarter horses graze in the fields. There is an abundance of water on the property
with multiple springs and excellent irrigation water rights. We have been
told that there is enough useable water on the ranch to start our own golf
course. We have not
applied for a conservation easement but are considering the possibility for future
generation's consideration.
Eastern view of the Ranch Meadows and Sapphire Mountains
Fly fishing on the Bitterroot river is just a few
minutes away. The Big Hole, Rock Creek, and the Blackfoot rivers are just
a few hours away. There is an excellent guide service for river fishing. A small pond on the ranch is available for practice fly
casting. We have a shotgun and pistol shooting area available on site.
Winter snow activities start the end of November on the ranch and include cross
country skiing, snow shoeing, and sledding. Excellent downhill skiing is
available at Lost
Trails Powder Mountain 30 minutes to the south. Guided snowmobile trips and dog sledding are
also available in the valley. For summer and winter lovers, the ranch
and surrounding area is an incredible place to enjoy.
The amenities are close. The scenery is fantastic. Wildlife are highly visible.
The fireplaces in the Wright and Cider house invites us to nestle
in with a good book and/or binoculars for wildlife viewing.
The ranch is available for rental for groups only of 10-20+ people
starting in 2006. Inquire at 1-858-442-8863 for information.
Winter Vista looking Northeast above the Main Compound
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