THE LAND & VEGETATION: El Rancho Blanco comprises +/- 8300 contiguous acres of rugged, unspoiled ranching land on the western edge of the vast Edwards Plateau. Over millions of years, water draining from the plateau toward the Pecos River has carved deep, steep walled canyons and flat mesas giving the land its distinctive character and creating breathtaking scenery in the process. El Rancho Blancos almost level upper elevations of 2200 to 2300 ft. above sea level are slashed by a succession of canyons reaching depths of more than 400 feet leaving rim rocks, ledges, grottos, and caves exposed before the land spreads into a wide, flat range in the bottoms. The low land is further carved by numerous draws, dry most of the year, which drain the ranch during floods. Howard Draw, which feeds directly into the Pecos River, runs through the ranch and is one of two major draws draining all of Crockett County. Crockett County receives an averages more than 18 of rainfall per year which supports a wide variety of plant life. The bottoms, hillsides and canyon walls are thickly covered with red-berry juniper, mesquite, shin oak, live oak, hackberry, elm, persimmon, agarita, white brush, acacias, and much more. Cacti, ocatillo, sotol, and yucca are found in the rocky areas. This natural assortment of vegetation and terrain provide the nutrients and perfect habitat to support an impressive population of wild game including Whitetail deer, wild turkeys, Blue and Bob-white Quail, Mourning Dove, Javelinas, the occasional Mountain Lion, Bobcats and many more.

RECREATION: Opportunities to enjoy this ranch are limited only by imagination: Hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, trail riding, ATV challenges, are only a few. But the best use is hunting. This area is well known for turkey and white-tail deer hunting. The ranch has been strictly managed for many years to insure quality game harvests. Feeders are kept filled year-round as well as providing surface water for wildlife in the bottoms.

WATER: There are 7 operating water wells on the ranch. Five of the wells have windmills and two have electric submersible pumps. The wells range in depth from 150 to 300. Each well has storage reservoirs and one overflows into a dirt tank (pond). More wells could be drilled, if needed.

INFRASTRUCTURE: There is a good network of roads throughout the ranch, but access to many areas require 4 WD to get around. Access trails have been cut to the Deer blinds and feeders. Electricity is available in four areas of the ranch and there are RV hookups at campsites.

LAY-OUT: The ranch is divided by paved RM 2083. An estimated 1,600+/- acres are on the east side and the rest of the ranch on the west side of 2083. The ranch is cross-fenced into 7 main pastures. The condition of the fences is fair to very good. The giant 50,000+ acre Mitchell Ranch surrounds El Rancho Blanco on 3 sides and provides a lot of privacy.

RANCH HEADQUARTERS: The MAIN RANCH HOUSE is the beautifully restored and renovated original Kincaid Headquarters. It is a spacious house with one large bedroom, 2 bathrooms, a big combination family room and kitchen. Many unusual features add to the authentic western flavor of the old house like the refinished but original bead board ceilings complimented by weathered wooden vigas (beams) salvaged from an old ranch windmill tower and old dynamite boxes used to make the original drawers in the kitchen cabinet. A screened in porch stretches across the front of the house and is perfect for relaxing to enjoy the evening breezes and watch the deer and turkeys feed and water at the pond below the house. A second covered porch wraps around the rear of the house. Behind the main house sits a carefully restored ADOBE LODGE. Exposed beams, large windows, the original wood-burning fireplace in the rear wall, new tile floor, and kitchenette is the perfect place for entertaining or accommodating guests. A one room GUEST HOUSE with a screened in front porch and full bathroom sits just south of the main house. All of these houses have many decades of history attached to them. A small ranch FOREMANS HOUSE is situated at the entrance of the ranch headquarters compound. A large concrete water reservoir has been fitted out with ladders and railed decks to serve as a COWBOY SWIMMING POOL.

OTHER STRUCTURES AND IMPROVEMENTS: There is a 40 x 60 metal barn, small storage buildings and two good sets of livestock working pens and a roping arena. The condition of the fences varies from fair to good. Parallel to the highway is a 3000 ft. dirt landing strip that will accommodate small aircraft.

INCOME POTENTIAL: Steep canyon walls and flat mesas provide the desired land formations for wind turbines. There are 3 tops on the west side of the ranch and 1 top of the east side. Wind rights convey. Unlimited supply of gravel for road construction is easily available from the bed of Howard Draw that runs roughly parallel to RM Hwy. 2083 for about 2 miles.

HISTORICAL SITE: The draw in Dead Mans Pasture holds evidence of the ingenuity, skill and back-breaking work required of the first Anglo settlers determined to make this rugged land their home. The tumbled stone walls of their houses are interesting but its the water system that commands respect. Water from a spring trickling from the limestone rocks in the back of the canyon was captured in a walled pond, then gravity flowed into an enormous hand-dug and rock-lined underground water reservoir. These structures were so well built that they stand solidly today. On December 18, 1890, so the story goes, the two pioneer men responsible for the work were bushwhacked and killed by bandits on their way home after selling their herd in Ozona and are buried nearby. Hence, Dead Mans Pasture got its name.

CAN BE DIVIDED: Approximately 1900 acres known as WOOD CANYON can be sold separately and is priced at $625/acre; or 6413 acres which includes the RANCHO BLANCO headquarters can be purchased for $599/acre.

SUMMARY: While exploring this sprawling ranch you will discover bits of history spanning centuries and learn, to some degree, how to appreciate the efforts and hardships that early settlers experienced. This is a rugged ranch, so be sure to come prepared!