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Silver Gate - #144145

$2,000,000

Location

Nestled in the heart of the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains (elevations of 12,000 feet) you will find the Grizzly Lodge Resort in the western rustic town of Silver Gate, Montana which was named because of the "silver haze that shines over the mountains". The property lies a half mile from the Yellowstone National Park border and 3 miles west of Cooke City on the Beartooth Scenic Highway "shielded from the eyes of the curious" by a wall of mountains. (Livingston Enterprise, Sept., 1932).

Silver Gate is the last outpost to the Northeast gate of Yellowstone National Park and offers a taste of the Old West with ranches, cabins and horseback riding. Tourists sustain this quaint town in the winters and summers. Snowmobilers are attracted to the area with its 200,000 +/- acres of perpetual winter wonderland with over 100 miles of groomed trails in an area rated #1 to snowmobile by SnoWest Magazine in 2004. Trophy hunting for big game, upland birds and waterfowl is in no shortage with bear, bison, moose, elk and deer making their home in this pristine landscape. The many blue ribbon streams and high country lakes are enjoyed by fisherman, campers and hikers. The Soda Butte Stream is out the back steps, the Clark Fork River is just a few miles away and in about an hour’s drive is the World Renowned Yellowstone River. Tour skiing, snowshoeing and winter photography are also a pleasure in this paradise. In the summers tourists are attracted to the many dude ranches, and participate in horseback riding and pack trips. Silver Gate is near Custer, Shoshone and Gallatin National Forests. The ancient Bannock Indian Trail is in close proximity. Old miner's cabins and the remains of hopeful mining claims sit silent on the northern mountain range.

Acreage

This Montana Recreational Retreat offers 2 +/- acres with approximately 500 +/- feet of blue ribbon Soda Butte Stream frontage. The year-round river runs on three sides of the property, forming an exclusive retreat. Forest Service land is within walking distance creating a shield from the reality of civilization instantaneously.

Recreational Opportunities

The exquisite landscape is truly a getaway with more recreational opportunity then one person can handle in a lifetime. The vast mountain ranges and 200,000 +/- acres of National Forest Service land are the reasons it is a renowned recreational destination. Elite fishing, trophy hunting, extreme snowmobiling, unsurpassed hiking, downhill and tour skiing, mountain and rode biking, rafting, rock and ice climbing, photography, wildlife adventures, horseback riding and pack trips, camping and tourism are just some of the recreational dreams one can live not to mention enjoying the peace and tranquility of the beautiful mountains and landscape.

Fishing:

The Grizzly Lodge Resort offers a stretch of the blue ribbon Soda Butte Stream just a few feet off the back steps of the lodge. Of all the delicious looking trout streams the Soda Butte ranks among the finest. Meadows and forest line the stream as it winds toward the Lamar River. Access is easy as it follows the road from Silver Gate to the Towers in Yellowstone National Park. The scenery is exquisite and wildlife abound flanked by majestic mountains.

The fly fishing is excellent when it clears around late June early July with the catch of the day including rainbow and cutthroat trout. The average rainbow trout runs around 12 inches with catches of 16 inches plus common. Terrestrials are the fly fisherman's choice from early July until the first snow. Hoppers, crickets and dry flies are excellent in the summer months when the water is clear.

Another fly fishing mecca is the world renowned Yellowstone River, which is within a short drive (53+/- miles). Guided floats give anglers access to some of the greatest trout fishing known, including browns, rainbows and cutthroats. Whitefish are abundant and great for entertaining when the trout are hiding out.

Montana's trout streams are legendary, and the state uncontested contains more premier fishing water than any other region in the United State. The Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson and Missouri are other rivers a few hours away from the retreat known for their premier fishing. Many mountain and man-made lakes are available for some fantastic fishing and fun. Montana is an angler's paradise and the retreat offers a centrally located access to most of it for limitless fishing adventure.

Hunting:

The area offers an abundance of wildlife with the Yellowstone National Park creating a refuge for many. There are several species of big game, woodland animals and a variety of birds. Numerous elk, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, grizzly bear, coyotes, wolves, big horn sheep, mountain goats and mountain lions are some of the big ones found traipsing around the area. Squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, prairie dogs, porcupine, otter, beaver, fox and rabbits are never a scarce sight. The lush meadows and dense forest provide and abundant forage and protection for the wildlife. Bald eagles, hawks, owls, geese, duck and hundreds of small birds can be seen on a regular basis.

Some of the best hunting comes from the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains not to mention the close proximity to the Gallatin, Shoshone, and Custer National Forests. The mountains surrounding the lodge are home to all the big game animals found in Montana. Waterfowl is plentiful ranging from a wide variety of duck to Canadian and Snow geese to upland birds like grouse and pheasants.

Forest Service Access:

Access to the pristine Absaroka Beartooth Forest Service is just a few hundred feet away from the property. There are hundreds of miles of trails with the Bannock Indian Trail just south of the property. With over 200,000 acres of forest service a person could walk for days and enjoy exposure to mountain lakes and streams while taking in the beauty of the forest, peaks and valleys as well as the wildlife. Go horseback riding, hiking, rock climbing, back country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and tour skiing in an instant.

Access

Heading out of the northeast gate of Yellowstone National Park continue east on Highway 212, the Beartooth Highway, about a mile. The Beartooth Highway expands past Cooke City, which gives access toward Billings, Montana and south to Cody, Wyoming. The first property seen driving into Silver Gate is the Montana Recreational Retreat, the Grizzly Lodge. Turning right onto Grizzly Bear Road over the bridge which crosses the Soda Butte Stream will take you into the resort.

Driving distance to surrounding points:
• Mammoth: 48+/- miles
• Jackson Hole, WY: 164+/- miles
• Gardner (North Entrance): 53+/- miles
• Red Lodge: 67+/- miles
• West Yellowstone: 88+/- miles
• Billings: 127+/- miles
• East Entrance: 91+/- miles
• Livingston: 105+/- miles
• Old Faithful: 103+/- miles
• Bozeman: 127+/- miles
• South Entrance: 108+/- miles
• Cody, WY: 78+/- miles

Community

Present day Cooke City, MT boasts of approximately 100 hardy citizens who play host to the winter wonderland sports of snowmobiling, tour skiing and winter photography. The summer season welcomes the 300 or so summer residents. Cooke City is bordered by Custer, Shoshone and Gallatin National Forests. The many streams and high country lakes are enjoyed by fisherman, campers and hikers. Bear, moose, elk and deer make their home in this pristine landscape.

When traveling to Cooke City from the northeast, one can enjoy the stunning Beartooth Mountain Range with alpine elevations of 12,000 +/- feet. To the east is the beautiful Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Four miles west is the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The ancient Bannock Indian Trail is in close proximity. Old miner's cabins and the remains of hopeful mining claims sit silent on the northern mountain range.

The town of Silver Gate is located one mile from the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It is three miles from Cooke City and is on the Beartooth Scenic Highway. Silver Gate is located on land homesteaded by Horace S. Double, for which he was granted a patent on May 2, 1897.

In the fall of 1931, John L. Taylor and his family, feeling the "pinch of hard times" traveled from Gallatin County through the Northeast entrance in pursuit of work on the Beartooth switchback highway project. Before reaching Cooke City the Taylor family came upon a cabin and met Mr. George Winn who had obtained his 160 acres of homestead land from Mr. Horace Double. Upon arising the next morning, Mr. Taylor's daughter writes, "I found that during the night, father had negotiated with Mr. Winn and had purchased the 160 acres for $3500. There was a great deal of planning and platting before Silver Gate was approved as a town site by the Park County Commissioners on September 8, 1932." Mrs. Taylor Eblin continues, "Dad named the town "Silver Gate" because of the silver haze which seemed to shine over the mountains and was to be a gate to Yellowstone Park."

John Taylor and J. J. White formed the Silver Gate Company and intended to create a rustic, western town to serve the tourist trade and to provide building sites for summer recreationists. Covenants written for the original town site covered setbacks, signs, and building standards requiring log construction.

Silver Gate, a place where "will those who wish to get away from the hum drum existence of the more populous centers. Fish abound, wild game stalks the country side, perpetual snow can be seen not far away, while from the town site itself, as though to provide a protectorate, a wall of mountains arise to shield from the eyes of the curious." (Livingston Enterprise, September, 1932).

Description of the land

The Grizzly Lodge Recreational Resort offers 2+/- acres of river bottom woodland with approximately 500 +/- feet of river frontage on the Soda Butte Stream. It sits secluded on the outskirts of Silver Gate. It not only offers superior fishing and hunting access but with a short walk an instant sense of solitude. There is a recreational area to entertain and live the life. The peaceful open landscape is perfect to enjoy night skies, wildlife activity, fishing and more.

Topography:

The lodge sits on about 2 +/- acres of level terrace above on the banks of the Soda Butte Stream which surrounds the property on three sides. A few large mature pines pluck the landscape.

Livestock Consideration:

Currently there is no livestock or fencing. However, a person could stage a few horses with some effort and if desired could corral more horses at a local horse riding tour business for a fee. Otherwise, it would be best to pasture them in one of the surrounding communities.

Elevation, Precipitation, and Climate

The resort sits at about 7,400 +/- feet above sea level and is surrounded by peaks that soar to over 10,000 +/- feet above sea level.

Cooke City-Silver Gate, MT climate is cool during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 50's and extremely cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 10's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 2.10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be relatively big during summer with a difference that can reach 35 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 24 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Cooke City-Silver Gate is 25.47 inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 2.85 inches.

Natural Water Resources

The property has 2 wells and city water.

Improvements

Passing the renovated bridge leads you to a lodge and 17 rooms detached from the lodge as well as two small cabins. The resort is set along an elbow on the riverbanks of the Soda Butte Stream. The open area between the buildings is spacious with large mature pine trees in the yard shadowed by the vast and dense forest surrounding the entire property providing the feel of instant privacy. The history is old but the resort is refreshing. The log design of the buildings is accentuated by the forest nearby.

Main Residence:

Built in the 1850s, the log designed lodge is truly the highlight of the premises. Every aspect of the home has character. When entering the two story lodge from the front door the first thing that is apparent is the vast space, old wooden floors and woodstove. Proceeding through the living and sitting area, leads you to a large dining and kitchen area large enough to host your family and guests. Walk upstairs to the 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms that put a smile on your face as you imagine you are mountain man seeking solitude. Walking out on either side to a deck one of which overlooks the babbling meandering stream below and the other puts a kink in your neck as you peer at the soaring Mountains which they say portrays a silver haze.

The two story lodge home, guest rooms and cabins are being sold as a turn key operation fully furnished and decorated. Browsing the exterior will reveal the very nature of this home and what it has to offer. The property has been kept with the utmost respect and care.

Guest House:

The guest rooms were built in the 1950s. The 17 log rooms vary from single rooms, double rooms, triples, kitchenettes and suites. Each room has its own bathroom some with full baths and others with ¾ baths. All rooms come furnished and ready for family and guests. Near the center of the complex is a full laundry facility to wash the linens and such. Rooms are heated by propane heat from a wall heater.

Shop

A large shop and 2 car garage sits behind the Guest Rooms. The shop has garage has overhead doors on either side. A large work area has everything a person needs to run the show. An automatic elevator hoists the toys and storage material to a loft area for safe keeping.

Wells

Domestic water is provided by two wells as well as city water.

Roads

Highway 212 is in the process of being expanded from the Northeast gate of Yellowstone National Park to the pass. All of which is paved. Entering the property is gravel.

Guest Cabins

The guest cabins were both built this year. They are meant to be a used as double occupancy cabins with a kitchenette in each.

Hot Tub and Sauna Building

Enjoy a soak in the redwood hot tub or sweat out the stress of your day in the sauna located near the middle of the establishment.

Shed and Garage

The shed or paint shed in this case holds all the paint needed to keep the property in pristine condition.

A one car garage sits behind the first couple of rooms. Great place to store your toys or your prize possession.

Water Rights

A water right is the right to use water, both surface and subsurface water. In Montana, water rights are the rights to use the water and not ownership of the water itself. Water rights may not automatically transfer with the land. In this case, any appurtenant rights held by the owner, will transfer.

All water in Montana is the property of the state of Montana for the use of the people of Montana. The actual ownership of water rights in Montana may not be known as many water rights are still the subject of a statewide adjudication process. The transfer of water rights is recorded with the states Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the transfer of any right may or may not warrant that right until the adjudication process has been completed.

Mineral Rights

All currently held by owner, if any, will transfer.

Easements

Grizzly Bear Road is used by several other small cabin owners on the back side of this property. The only access to those cabins is to cross the bridge and drive the east perimeter of the property. The bridge recently became part of an association of all cabin owners who own property on the south side of the bridge.

Utilities and Services

The property is serviced by electric, propane and telephone lines. Satellite service is the only source for DSL and satellite television.

Financials

Financials consist of a registry book which indicates customer information and amounts charged. The seller grosses approximately $115,000 to $150,000 and nets around $65,000. The business is only open from late May to early October. A buyer would be wise to remain open for the hunting and snowmobile season. Currently a manager and a helping hand run the operation. If a buyer was to remain open for a majority of the year projected analysis shows they would double the current net plus some. The current owner does no advertising and runs the business as a hobby or family getaway. He still maintains a 76%+ occupancy.

Financing

Cash, New Financing or Seller Carry (Terms: 8%, 5 year balloon, 20% down to qualified buyer).

Taxes

Taxes are current and are $3,600 per year.

Showings

All showings are by appointment only. Listing agent is to accompany all property tours. Some notice is appreciated.

Price

$2,000,000

Brokers Comments

This is one of the finest deeded pieces of real estate by the Yellowstone National Park. Most land is leased. The roads to and from Silver Gate from Gardner are maintained by the state to allow children to attend school in Gardner, Montana. This property is rural all though it is in Silver Gate due to the small population. Montana big city life is only a few hours away in either direction. For the buyer seeking unparalleled fishing, hunting and snowmobiling, this property boasts the best of all recreational properties.

Contact Listing Agent for Exact Legal Description