Alta Luna Ranch

Farm Description

Alta Luna Ranch is encompassed inthe beauty of the ancient Mora Valley, near the unincorporated town of Chacon,New Mexico. This area is steeped inSpanish-American ranching history and many ranches have been owned by familiesfor generations. The Alta Luna meaningHigh Moon in Spanish Ranch covers a vast area of approximately 6,419Aa acres. Topography and elevations varythroughout the borders of the ranch. Elevations range from 8,200 feet to 11,000 feet in the northernmountainous regions of its borders. Topographies range from hay meadows, grassymeadows, and high timbered mountains, to valleys of native grasslands. Creating an environment for wildlife andlivestock to thrive on the ranch.

The ranch headquarters isimpressive, offering a wide range of improvements. The main home is true to its New Mexicanroots. The impressive two-story adobehome was designed by John Gaw Meem Design firm, often referred to as the fatherof the Santa Fe style architecture. The main home consists of 7 bedrooms, 9bathrooms with tons of Mexican influences throughout, including antique MexicanLa Puerta Doors, high ceilings with Spanish style vigas and corbels, handforged staircase and railing, handmade tiles, and has 5 beautiful fireplacesthroughout. The great room's fireplace mantel is made from a large ponderosastruck by lightning during the construction of the ranch, making for a story totell for generations. All the rockinterior and exterior features come right off the ranch. Even the walls in thehome are exquisite, made with a diamond finish, taking up to 9 months tocomplete. Two guest homes both with 2bedrooms and 2 bathrooms can be found a short walk from the main house, eachdone in a southwestern territorial style. Additional improvements are used to run the ranch, including a custombuilt 11 stall brick floor horse barn, with an office, bathroom, tack, storageareas, and a small barn used to store hay and equipment. Improvements aresupplied by underground utilities and offers a backup generator enclosed in itsown building. The improvements wereplaced to take in the panoramic views of both the valley and surroundingmountain ranges to capture the beautiful scenery and wildlife. The ranch offers many outdoor entertainingspaces for you and your guest to enjoy the surroundings.

The ranch acreage has multiplewater sources, including many earthen stock tanks natural depressions thatcollect rain and runoff, natural spring systems, and 6.7Aa miles of the MoraRiver. Three 10,000-Gallon tanks fed by a natural spring with filtration andchlorinating systems in place supply water to the headquarters improvements. Severalponds can be found on the ranch, some stocked with trout for great recreationalfishing.

The ranch is in Game ManagementUnit 46. The ranch hosts 800Aa acres of sub-irrigated meadows, which helps attractits large elk populations. Elk herds of 200 plus have been on the ranch, withsightings of 350 class bulls. The Alta Luna Ranch can truly be considered anElk refuge. The New Mexico GameDepartment has issued up to 50 ranch elk permits in the past however, thecurrent owner has limited the hunting for reasons of game management. Otherspecies such as deer, turkey, bear, and other native wildlife make the ranchtheir home with its abundant protection from various topographies. The ranch isalso bordered on the north by Carson National Forest, which helps with itswildlife migration and offers public hunting.

Alta Luna Ranch is near severalhistoric New Mexico towns offering glimpses into some of New Mexico's famouscharacters such as Billy the Kid, Doc Holiday, Big Nose Kate, and WyattEarp. Recreational opportunities alsocan be found outside the ranch's borders in Carson and Santa Fe National Forest,providing skiing, hiking, golf, hunting, and fishing experiences. Cultural,fine dining, shopping, and the arts can be found a short 1-to-2-hourdrive from the ranch in the well-known cities of Santa Fe, and Taos. The Alta Luna Ranch offers you the tranquilbeauty of mountain life with city amenities just a short drive away.