Skyline Ranch - Otero County, Cloudcroft, NM
Skyline Ranch is a unique and rarely found private family mountain retreat within the Lincoln National Forest. Once a YMCA camp (dating back to 1904) the history and memories on this ranch have been shared for generations. At the center of this meticulously kept estate is a distinctive custom lodge nestled in the lush mountain valley. Breathtaking views can be enjoyed at the quaint mountaintop cabin. While remote with a feeling of being “off the grid”, this ranch boasts modern connectivity with fiberoptic internet, a backup generator, and underground utilities. Skyline offers another convenience of being offered turnkey with all furnishings and equipment at the current list price. The majestic 160 acre mountain paradise is an oasis for wildlife such as elk, deer and turkey. Imagine yourself relaxing to the sounds of a cascading waterfall as you sit on the porch watching the mule deer drink from the spring filled trout ponds. Skyline Ranch is a hidden gem that can only be truly appreciated by experiencing it in person.
Key Attributes
Location
Located just east of High Rolls, NM approx. 4 miles. Cloudcroft is a 15-minute drive but just over 2 miles away through the forest if you hike or ride your horse.
Topography, Rangeland & Habitat
Skyline rests within the convergence of several valleys and is filled with ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and many other evergreen species. Forest thinning has been done in the past which has allowed the habitat to be a natural draw for wildlife. The ranch contains good grass cover with several natural springs flowing depending on moisture levels.
Wildlife
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, then Skyline should be on your list. Elk, mule deer, turkey and hummingbirds are all very common and seen most days on the ranch with occasional sightings of bears and other native species. Just off the porch of the house are 2 trout ponds fed by a spring on the ranch. These ponds are stocked each year with fish and the waterfalls built provide the soothing sound of flowing water we all love.
Agriculture
The property has not had livestock grazing but does have stables for horses with an attached paddock. The perimeter is only partially fenced.
Improvements
The impressive custom lodge incorporates logs harvested from the ranch using the ranch’s own sawmill. Top-of-the-line features are abundant in the rustic home offering three bedrooms each with private ensuites. The commercial-grade chef’s kitchen has illuminating granite counter tops with a porcelain farm sink, a granite top center island with oven, malleted copper sink and bronze fixtures, high-volume maple cabinets, stainless steel kitchen appliances include Wolf brand six burner, grill and two-oven stove, Sub-zero refrigerator and cabinet mounted pull out drawer freezer, two dish washers, wine fridge, built-in microwave and warming oven. An open concept layout for the kitchen, dining and living areas makes this the perfect home for entertaining. The massive wrap around porch offers additional outdoor living space to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding pine tree studded valley.
Shop and Garage with bathroom come completely stocked with all the tools and equipment used to operate the ranch year-round. Stables with horse stalls and tack room are located a short walk from the house. Inspiration Point Cabin sits at nearly 8000ft and has western views beyond White Sands. Spring fed water supply and storage system with irrigation, Equipment shed, Hunting Blinds and Feeders, 2 Full RV Hookups, 2 8×20 containers for storage, Backup Generator and Propane Tank, Underground Electrical and Fiberoptic Internet Asphalt and concrete entry road Electric Gated Entry with Remote camera and opening ability from Main House.
Water
Water is supplied via a large spring which feeds 20,000 gallons of storage thus supplying all the water and irrigation needs for Skyline. There are several other springs seasonally running on the ranch as well.
Electricity
Skyline has a buried fiber optic cable that can provide ½ a gigabyte of bi-directional bandwidth and reliability that is supported by a 25-kw generator assuring power regardless of the conditions. There is a gated entrance, central alarm, and multi-camera system. To ensure unobstructed views from the lodge and shop, owners had electric, phone, and fiber optic lines buried.
Area History
Cloudcroft has all the amenities of modern living while still hanging onto its heritage of the rugged pioneer lifestyle. It is the destination of thousands of visitors each year. In the summer, the quaint mountain village is a wonderful retreat from the heat of the lower elevations (Cloudcroft is an average of 20 degrees cooler than Alamogordo, sixteen miles and 6,000 feet lower.) The village area features summer pastimes such as horseback riding, fishing, golf (the Lodge Golf Course is the highest in North America), camping, hiking, biking, hunting, and, of course, shopping. Cloudcroft is the home of many of America’s most accomplished artists in many different disciplines. Their original works are available in several of the village shops.
In the winter, explore a vast winter wonderland on cross-country skis or snowmobiles. Ice skate on the village rink, or ski at Ski Cloudcroft.