How the heck did the property get its name? There are two large rock formations just at the entry to the ranch that have the historical name Hell’s Gate. These rock outcroppings form a natural gateway, that once you pass through, you are in the true old west. You are in a place where ranchers carved out meadows and diverted water to run cattle and sheep. What they left behind was a slice of heaven. An old cowboy told us that he reckoned that Hell’s Gate was a gate to keep the hell out. What he was saying was that once you pass through, you can close the gate and leave that hectic world behind.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the property located?
16 miles northwest of the Eagle County Regional Airport (23 minute scenic drive) and 41 miles (about 45 minutes) northwest of Beaver Creek Resort, Colorado. 66 miles northeast of Aspen, Colorado and 49 miles northwest of Vail, Colorado. An easy drive from the major Vail Valley ski resorts west on I-70, then 7 miles north along the Colorado River to Sweetwater Road, then 2.9 miles to the main entry gate. Okay, that’s to the active stuff, it’s also just 6 miles to the Flattops Wilderness Area of the White River National Forest, and steps to BLM lands and out your door to hiking, fishing, biking, snow shoeing, and relaxation like never before.2. How large are the parcels at Hell’s Gate Ranch?
The parcels on the ranch are a minimum of 35 acres, with parcel sizes up to nearly 50 acres. A total of 22 parcels will be released at sell out.3. Where is the closest airport?
Eagle County Regional Airport is approximately 16 miles from the entry gate. The 8000 foot runway accommodates Boeing 757 direct service via numerous airlines during peak seasons and a fully capable jet center for all private aircraft needs. Several rental car options as well as taxi and limo service are available.4. How much of the property borders the National Forest?
The property is adjacent to thousands of acres of BLM land on the north, west and southern boundaries of the property. There are approximately 3.3 miles of common border with BLM land, which then abuts the White River National Forest to the south, west and north of the property. Also, within the Forest lands there are 235,000 acres of wilderness area only six miles away.5. What is the elevation of the property?
The property ranges from approximately 6,590 feet to 7,730 feet in elevation. Spring comes much earlier to the ranch than the ski resorts. The grass is green before the ski areas close.6. What is the road condition and access like?
Approximately 4.5 miles of fully improved graveled roads and driveways have been developed. Each home site will have an improved driveway to near or in the building envelope.7. Is there a staff to provide owner services?
No, the Association may decide at a later date to employ a caretaker or other employees for this purpose.8. Is the community gated?
Yes, there is an access gate entering the property, which is accessed electronically. Access through the gate is limited to owners and their guests. Guests are able to phone from the gate to owners for permission to enter the community. Access is granted to guests remotely through the telephone line. Additionally, each homeowner can apply to place a gate at their own driveway entrance to further enhance privacy and security.9. What utilities are provided?
Electricity and DSL phone/data lines are run underground to near each designated building site. Each site will have a transformer set near the building envelope and will only need to provide a service line to the home. No major electrical or phone utility work will be necessary. Each home site will have a well drilled near the building envelope, it will be the owner’s responsibility to finalize the well for domestic and other permitted purposes. Each homeowner will need to install a septic system for sewage treatment. Many options for heating are available, including solar, geothermal, propane, or combinations of these.10. What is the vegetation?
Gently rolling plateau with perennial grass meadows, sage, oak, pinion pine, cedar and juniper trees. Additional areas contain aspen groves, spruce trees, cottonwoods. Many areas have moss rock in abundance and come with pre-constructed (by nature) rock gardens.11. Are there views?
Yes! There are views of the Sawatch Mountain Range, Castle Peak, The Gore Range and the W Range Mountains as well as the Flattops, the Sweetwater Creek Valley, the Irrawaddy Creek Valley, Monegar Ridge and Hell’s Gate.12. When can construction on an home begin?
Immediately after closing on the lot and upon approval from the design review board and Eagle County Building Department.13. Are there architectural guidelines pertaining to the types of buildings that can be created?
Yes, and they are sensitive to the types of architecture, view corridors and beauty of the surrounding lands. They provide careful consideration to the placement of the home and impacts to the natural environment.14. How many structures can be built on each 35-acre parcel?
A main house, caretaker's cabin, and certain ranch outbuildings such as barns, arenas, corrals, subject to the design review board approval and Eagle County Community Development regulations.15. How much water is being provided for each parcel of land?
Most of the wells have been drilled and are estimated to be high producing. The wells are restricted to pump 15 gallons/minute and have certain criteria for outside watering etc. Six ponds have been constructed with approximately 5 million gallons capacity. Some have facilities for fire hydrants and irrigation of meadows. Additional ponds and the final configuration of ponds are pending approval from the water court. Many of the additional ponds will be developed by the homeowner(s) and are subject to the ruling of the water court.16. Are there equestrian trails?
No, however the Association may decide at a later date to install and construct trails throughout the property for homeowner uses such as horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing.17. How many horses are permitted on each 35-acre parcel?
This is based on the design of the owner's private facilities, the parcel owned, the horse facilities that will be built to accommodate the horses, the proposed grazing plan and architectural guidelines.18. Will owners be permitted to fence their entire 35-acre property?
No, however fencing for animals and livestock can be installed within the building envelope and some fencing may be allowed within the privacy envelope subject to design review board approval.19. Has a building envelope been designated for each parcel?
Yes, the initial building envelope is a circle located on the community map that will be finalized with the submittal of the home site design. An additional privacy envelope is designated on the map that varies in size from lot to lot depending on topography, views, roads, meadows, ponds and other lot features. The privacy envelopes are restricted to the use of the owner, subject to certain association access. The privacy envelopes range in size from approximately 3 to 11 acres.20. Are snowmobiles permitted?
No, the adjacent BLM land has hundreds of miles for snowmobiling use, subject to their rules.21. Is hunting permitted on the property?
No, there is no homeowner or commercial hunting allowed on the ranch's 819.5 acres, although the adjacent public lands are a hunter’s paradise.22. Is there a Conservation Easement in place?
No. A Conservation Easement could be created to protect the land from further development/subdivision forever if the Association members agree to do so.23. What kind of amenities are available?
There are three main Association areas which are intended for all owners’ use. Fishing ponds, a picnic/view area, parking areas and Sweetwater Creek fishing are provided at the outset. The Association may at any time enter into a written agreement for the lease or purchase of real property within or adjacent to Hell’s Gate Ranch at Sweetwater for the provision of equestrian facilities, which may include pastures, stables, corrals, barns, caretaker or employee units, ski trails, hiking trails and other related facilities. There will be personnel to maintain certain facilities and irrigation/water related functions, road maintenance and the like.24. What are the annual homeowner's dues?
The dues have not yet been determined, but will be prior to the release of the lots for sale.25. Do lenders offer financing with such large parcels of land?
Yes, major banks and lending institutions offer financing for land acquisition and building loans.26. What type of purchase contract?
A standard Real Estate Purchase Contract.27. How much of Sweetwater Creek runs through the property?
Over ¾ mile of Sweetwater Creek runs through or forms the border of the ranch.* Disclaimer - All of the information contained in this web site is for informational purposes only, and shall not be construed as an offer to sell under state or federal law--use of this website does not create a contract or agreement between you and Hell's Gate Ranch LLC or its affiliates, nor any obligation to you. You agree not to act in reliance upon the information contained herein and you waive any claim, demand, cause of action or damages incurred as a result of reliance on such information. Also see CC&Rs and Design Guidelines (these are in draft form and will be finalized prior to closing on the lots) for further details on the above information. These can be obtained from Dan Jarosz at 970.445.7186.
