This article is featured on the cover of the Winter 2024 issue of Texas LAND magazine. Click here to find out more.
Sprawling over 32,970± acres located in Culberson County, the Wylie Mountains Ranch encompasses almost an entire West Texas mountain range. Named after pioneer settler Robert K. Wylie (1885), the mountain range is home to rich history and diverse habitat.
The grasslands and brushlands that define the perimeter of the ranch transition to foothills, expansive canyons and mountains with numerous peaks rising more than 5,000 feet in the ranch’s interior. The different ecosystems provide a home for a diverse array of wildlife as well as grazing opportunities for livestock. The ranch has been used for livestock grazing in the past; however, it’s being rested currently.
The ranch, located southeast of Van Horn, is about 20 driving miles from the Culberson County Airport. The drive time to Marfa is approximately an hour and 20 minutes, while it takes about two hours to drive to El Paso and two and a half hours to reach Midland.
Topography, Rangeland and Habitat
Almost the entire Wylie Mountain range stretches over the ranch. Most of the ranch is mountainous with some foothills that give way to the flats. Elevation ranges from 3,900 to 5,310 feet above sea level. The ranch showcases a variety of Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems including desert scrublands, desert grasslands and desert mountains. Immense escarpments and spectacular canyons accent the mountainous terrain.
Trees found on the ranch, predominantly in the canyons and drainages, include hackberry, evergreen sumac and flameleaf sumac. Other vegetation includes typical species of brush, succulents and grasses across the ranch.
The Wylie Mountains are home to a distinctive agate, referred to as butterscotch agate, that resembles butterscotch taffy and ranges in color from light brown and dark yellowish brown to moderate brown. The ranch also features a large sinkhole or cave that begs further exploration.
Wildlife
Native wildlife found on the ranch include mule deer, pronghorn antelope, scaled quail, Gambel’s Quail and the infrequently seen Montezuma Quail. Elk and aoudad frequent the ranch. The property has been managed primarily for wildlife with a limited feeding program and water distribution.
Improvements
Most of the improvements are congregated about 3 miles from the main gate in the ranch’s primary headquarters, which are situated on north side of the ranch.
The three-bedroom/two-bath owner’s home is a metal-sided residence with a wraparound covered porch and carport. It is located on a hill just east of the operational headquarters.
The three-bedroom/two-bath manager’s home is an older modular at the operational headquarters. The headquarters area also includes several barns/sheds, a shop, an equipment shed with a walk-in cooler, traps and working pens.
There is another small barn and set of pens in the Sloan Pasture on the southern portion of the ranch.
Water
Groundwater is available in certain areas of the ranch, which is believed to be from the West Texas Bolsons Aquifer. There are six operating water wells. Most of the wells are about 700 deep and the best ones can produce 15-25 GPM, providing adequate well water for ranching operations.
An extensive water distribution system feeds troughs and storage tanks across many portions of the ranch. Numerous dirt tanks capture and hold runoff for a time following a rain.
Minerals
Approximately 26,734± acres are mineral-classified and the specific rights associated with state classified minerals will convey to the buyer. Seller will be reserving any fee minerals owned by the seller.
Other Information
In addition to the deeded acreage, the ranch also includes 1,109.5± acres of land leased from the Texas Pacific Land Trust.
The Opportunity
The Wylie Mountains Ranch provides a unique opportunity to explore and manage most of a mountain range in a rugged, wild part of Texas where elbow room is still plentiful. It’s a rare, wonderful place that challenged the early settlers—and it is worthy destination for those who want to live the adventure today.
32,970± Acres
Culberson County, Texas
$27,200,250
Republic Ranches, LLC
888-726-2481 • Info@RepublicRanches.com
RepublicRanches.com
