Brindley Ranch - San Saba County, Chappel, TX
Brindley Ranch - San Saba County, Chappel, TX
Brindley Ranch is a remarkable property located in the southeastern corner of the region, offering rolling terrain with breathtaking views of the Cherokee Creek Valley to the east. The landscape is characterized by dense woodlands and four expansive, well-established pastures adorned with majestic Oaks and Elms. A key highlight of the ranch is its well-developed water system, which includes five strategically placed water stations that support the abundant wildlife. One of the most extraordinary features of the ranch is a spectacular cave, boasting underground pools formed by an intermittent stream and housing a substantial colony of bats.
Key Attributes
Location
Conveniently situated approximately 8 miles southeast of San Saba, Brindley Ranch is just over an hour and a half’s drive from Austin and two hours from Abilene. It’s also accessible from Dallas, with a drive time of about three hours.
Topography, Rangeland & Habitat
The ranch features four prominent hilltops, each offering sweeping views and over 280 feet of topographic relief. In 2007, approximately 40% of the cedar was cleared to create four distinct pastures filled with Oak and Elm trees. Prescribed burns were conducted in 2013 and 2015 to maintain the landscape, and native grass seeds have been sown across the ranch. The hardwoods primarily consist of Durand Oaks and Elms, with a native Pecan bottom along the eastern boundary. Throughout the pastures, you’ll find a variety of tall grasses, young persimmons, and white brush, contributing to a diverse and thriving habitat.
Wildlife
Brindley Ranch has White-tailed Deer, hogs, doves, turkey, and various small game species. Seven strategically placed blinds and feeders ensure optimal wildlife viewing and hunting opportunities.
The property also features Harrell’s Cave, a significant natural attraction with unique characteristics, including a 42-foot vertical shaft that descends into a massive chamber measuring 175 feet by 210 feet, with 20-foot-high ceilings. The cave is home to a population of cave myotis bats, with up to 5,000 individuals present during the pup season. An underground intermittent stream flows in from the southwest tunnel over some flow rocks into several pools of water.
Agriculture
A small herd of cattle grazes lightly on the ranch, coexisting harmoniously with the local wildlife and without compromising the available forage.
Improvements
On the eastern edge of the property stands a 1990s-built home, offering 1,760 square feet of living space with two bedrooms and one bathroom. Additionally, there is an old barn and a storage building for equipment.
Water
The ranch is equipped with an excellent water infrastructure, featuring two water wells on the eastern side that service the house and supply five water troughs for wildlife. When the main well was first drilled, it was artesian, shooting water about a foot out of the ground. A 2-inch polypipe is used to distribute the water to the troughs. Currently, there is a large pump that generates 157 pounds of pressure to push the water to the farthest trough.
Electricity
