ACREAGE & TOPOGRAPHY

ELEVATION: 3,600 — 5,700 FEET

The property has a mixture of gentle rolling topography graduating to steeper slopes along the southern boundary. The elevations range from of about 3,600 feet to 5,700 feet at Stephenson Mountain. This property is very private, with locked gates, and full of wildlife. Several fish bearing streams run on the property including Opal Creek, Amity Creek and Horse Creek. High mountain view points include Stephenson Mountain, Opal Mountain and Box Springs Butte.

LOCATION

The property is located within the southern portion of Jefferson County in Central Oregon. This area is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Prineville, Oregon and approximately 65 miles from Bend, Oregon.

The property can be legally described by the Map and Tax Lots in Jefferson County:

T11S R18E Tax Lot 200 – 15,397.63 Acres
T11S R19E Tax Lot 800 – 1,584.25 Acres

ZONING

PRIMARY FOREST USE

The subject is zoned Primary Forest Use by Jefferson County. The purpose and intent of the Forest Management Zone is to provide for timber production, harvesting, and related activities, and to help protect timber areas from fire, pollution, and encroachment of non-forestry activities. This zone is also intended to preserve and protect watersheds, scenic areas, and wildlife habitats, and to provide for recreational opportunities and agriculture.

CLIMATE

SEMI-ARID, HIGH DESERT

Central Oregon is widely recognized as a tourist destination in part because of its moderate climate, picturesque scenery and significant recreational amenities, and the property’s location on the Northern Slope of the Ochoco Mountains provides a semi-arid, high desert climate. Precipitation averages 10-15 inches with heavy snowfall at the upper elevations during winter months. It is not unusual to have overcast conditions in Portland and clear skies in the Prineville area. Scenic views to rivers, buttes and mountain peaks are prevalent. This combination of pleasant weather conditions and scenic views enables all types of outdoor recreation available in Central Oregon.

WATER RESOURCES

The property includes over 17 miles of springs and creeks that provide abundant water for wildlife, fish and stock water. The three major fish bearing creeks, Amity, Opal and Auger Creeks are tributaries to Trout Creek which flows into the Deschutes River Basin. Horse Creek, in the northeastern corner of the property, is a tributary to the John Day River. Winter snow pack at the higher elevations provide annual recharge for all the springs and creeks.

TIMBER

PINE, FIR, JUNIPER & LARCH

Opal Mountain Ranch is one of the largest, contiguous timberland properties in close proximity to the cities of Prineville, Redmond and Bend. The timberlands are predominately Ponderosa Pine, White Fir and Douglas Fir with smaller volumes of Juniper, Larch and other Pine. Over the years, the previous owners managed for recreation while only harvesting very limited timber. Estimated net merchantable volume is 69,962 mbf (or or 4,893 board feet per timbered acre) with an estimate annual growth of 2,400 MBF. The volume estimate was calculated using third-party inventory data collected in 2020.

CARBON PROJECT

As trees grow, forests capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and store them in trees’ roots and wood. Timberlands are a key carbon sink and play a pivotal role in slowing down the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Owners have made significant progress towards establishing a carbon offset project at Opal Mountain Ranch. The carbon project will create opportunities for ongoing sale of carbon offsets under California’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction market.

Read more in our Property Brochure

RECREATIONAL AMENITIES

HUNTING, FISHING, HIKING, BIKING, HORSEBACK RIDING, SKIING

This property is a premier private timber block, located in the heart of the Ochoco Mountains, that also includes some high mountain meadows and rolling rangeland teeming with exceptional big game and upland bird species. In addition to the premier hunting and fishing, the ranch provides abundant opportunities for other recreation, such as snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, four-wheeling, and bike riding or hiking.

CONSERVATION

LAYERED CONSERVATION EASEMENT

Opal Mountain’s steelhead-bearing streams and wildlife habitat in the Deschutes and John Day watersheds make it a strong candidate for stream and riparian restoration, upland habitat complexity, and wildlife management projects that will enhance the region’s native fish and wildlife populations. Conservation can be focused on improved habit complexity for wildlife and include projects ranging from enhanced timber management to mule deer habitat restoration. The owner is examining opportunities to secure public funding for these activities. Many other opportunities exist for the owner to be compensated for ensuring the stewardship of their land and timber for years to come.

IMPROVEMENTS

Hunting Cabin: A custom hand-hewn log hunting cabin is located on the property and is used by the hunting outfitter. The cabin sits on the edge of a meadow and is accessible by gravel road.

Fire Lookout: The U.S, Forest Service operates a fire lookout on the property, providing the best protection available for a legacy timber property.

SUB-SURFACE

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. There is a Mineral Royalty of 50% interest in income from mineral extraction on the Property. The buyer has absolute control over any exploration, access, and development of these mineral rights.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 14,298 forested acres with a mixed conifer timber stands
• USFS fire lookout located on the property
• Mountain views from Mt. Bachelor to Mt. Rainier
• 6 buck Mule Deer & 6 Rocky Mountain bull elk land-owner tags
• 8 creeks, some with mountain trout
• Large private block with no public roads or private in-holdings
• Annual income from sustainable forest management projects