Wolf Creek Ranch FAQ’s

Location, Setting, and Security

1.     Where is Wolf Creek Ranch located?  Approximately 45 miles east of Salt Lake City Airport (+/- one hour to SLC airport from the Ranch Entry) and 25 miles east of Park City (+/- 30 minutes).  The Ranch is situated between Bench Creek Road in Woodland and Lake Creek Road in Heber City.  The address of the Main Gate is 3480 East Bench Creek Road, Woodland, Utah  84036.

2.     Is there an airport closer than Salt Lake City?  Yes, the Heber City Municipal Airport, has a 6900 foot asphalt runway, which can accommodate large corporate aircraft. It is approximately 15 minutes from the Heber gate.  (www.russmacdonaldfield.com).

3.     How many acres is the Ranch?  The 13,200 acre ranch is comprised of 80 individual ranches inside the main gates.  Each parcel is at least 160 acres.

4.     Is the Ranch gated?  Yes.  There are two electronic access gates:  Woodland (primary entrance and location of Gatehouse/Security office) and Heber City.

5.     Security? The Wolf Creek Ranch Security team provides public safety services via the gatehouse, a camera system, and daily patrols of the Ranch.

6.     Elevation?  The property ranges from approximately 7000 feet to over 9000 feet in elevation, with an average elevation between 7500 and 8000 feet.

7.     Plant Life?  Aspen groves, evergreen forests, sage, maple trees, Gambel Oak groves, native grass prairies and alpine type wetlands in creek bottoms.  There are perennial streams flowing year round which are a haven for unique species of plants and wildflowers.

8.     Animal Life?   Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer are common; Shiras moose are also seen regularly.  Birds of prey, wild turkey, grouse, songbirds and small mammals are common.   An occasional badger, black bear, coyote and mountain lion are seen.

9.     Environmental Science? The ranch participates in several academic studies of alpine and sub-alpine eco-systems.  Wolf Creek Ranch is widely known for its conservation efforts and pristine eco-system.

 

Architecture and Construction

1.     Architectural guidelines?    There are guidelines that reflect sensitivity to view corridors and beauty of the surrounding lands.  The guidelines encourage western rustic architecture following the theme of Historic National Park Structures and exceptional ranch homes of the western US.  These structures are primarily constructed of stone and wood and are reflective of their surroundings.  The Architectural Committee provides careful consideration to the placement of the home and impacts to the natural environment.

2.     What can be built on each ranch?   Three structures: A main house, a caretaker house and a barn.  They do not need to be built concurrent with one another, but the main house or caretaker house must be built first.  Several ranches feature only a caretaker house.

3.     What types of homes have been built?  Everything from quaint cabins to estate homes worthy of serious architectural magazines.  Sizes range from 2000 to 20,000 plus square feet.  Some homes have included celestial observatories, indoor swimming pools, indoor basketball and racquetball courts and private trout ponds.  There are no restrictions on the interior of a home or barn other than an owner’s and architect’s imagination.

4.     What is the approval process for building?  A preliminary design review meeting to review early stage concept and placement, a follow up meeting at the early stage of Design Development, and a final approval when working drawings are complete.  The process normally takes approximately 90-120 days from concept to final approvals and is subject to a nominal architectural review fee per structure.  Wasatch County building permits typically take 60 to 90 days.

5.     Has a building envelope been recommended for each ranch?   Yes, though there is some flexibility of location.  There is a 10 acre “Area of Disturbance” that all structures must be located within to help maintain the natural setting of all of the ranches.

6.     What utilities are available?  Water, electric and fiber-optic phone/data lines run underground along the road bordering each property.   On site utilities, including underground propane tanks are placed underground during the building process.

7.     How much water is provided for each parcel of land?  A private water system is complete and delivers water to the edge of each parcel.  Each parcel receives 1.65 acre feet of water per year for culinary use and landscaping.  The experience of most owners is that the 1.65 acre feet is more than adequate for their domestic and irrigation needs.  Owners have the option of buying more water shares for water features and ponds near their homes.

8.     Will owners be required to fence their property?  No.   The Conservation Easement, which covers the entire ranch, permits fencing only within the 10-acre Area of Disturbance and only with approval of the Architectural Technical Committee.

 

Conservation Easement and Governance

1.     Is there a Conservation Easement in place?  Yes, a Conservation Easement has been created to protect and enhance the conservation values of the ranch.  The easement is managed by Utah Open Lands Trust, a statewide program dedicated to stewardship of large ranches that feature conservation easements.  The Conservation Easement covers 100% of the land, excluding building envelopes, roads and driveways, and common area amenities.  The intent of the Conservation Easement is to protect the Conservation Values of the property such as the natural habitat for native wildlife as well as, ecological, scenic, agricultural, aesthetic and open space values.

2.     How is Wolf Creek Ranch managed?  The Ranch is managed by an elected five member Board of Trustees of the Wolf Creek Ranch Homeowners Association, Inc. in partnership with our Ranch Manager and staff members.

3.     What are the annual homeowner’s dues?  The Association dues are currently $1270 per month per lot.

4.     Are there other fees or assessments?  Yes.  Although the annual assessment may vary, it has averaged $5000 per individual ranch for the past 5 years.  The annual assessment is reduced each year by 2% Transfer Fees and Construction Impact Fees collected.

5.     Is there a Transfer Fee?  Yes.  It is 2% of the sales price paid by the Buyer and is used to fund Association reserves.

6.     Are there “greenbelt” property tax breaks available?  Yes.  The Association leases the grazing rights of the Ranch for sheep grazing across the entire Ranch for a portion of the Summer and Fall.  The sheep grazing lease qualifies the Ranch for favorable “greenbelt” tax status.

7.    Are there rules that aren’t in the CC&Rs?  Yes. Occasionally there are rules adopted by the Board of Directors that serve to clarify and support the CC&Rs, but that do not necessitate a change to the CC&Rs. These rules are listed as WCR Homeowner’s Association Rules & Regulations. A copy of this document is available through the HOA office.

8.     Is hunting permitted on the property?  Yes, but only as an ecological management tool, and only when approved by the HOA Board of Trustees and Utah Open Lands. The hunt is very limited and restricted, and only when necessary to protect the conservation values of the Ranch.

9.     Can an owner have horses or other livestock-type animals on their ranch?  Horses can be secured in a corral or barn within an owner’s area of disturbance and must be fed “weed free” hay.  Any other livestock must be approved by the Architectural Technical Committee.

10.   Can I run my dog off leash?  Within your Area of Disturbance (AOD) dogs may run freely. On trails, common areas and in all areas outside your AOD, dogs must controlled by their owner: leashed with a physical leash, an electronic leash (e-leash), or verbal commands (v-leash) which the owner knows the dog will respond to without hesitation. Our conservation easement specifically prohibits dogs and other domestic animals from running freely outside the AOD to prevent harassment of wildlife. An additional reason to have dogs on leash is the potential of encounters with both wildlife and, while the sheep are on the ranch, sheepdogs, which will protect their flocks from all predators or perceived predators, including other domestic animals.

11.   Can I use the ranch for business purposes?  Owners can use their residences for home-office type businesses, provided that any such business doesn’t require or encourage an owner’s clients, customers or others to come to the home office to conduct business, and for entertaining business guests as their personal guests in their homes and on the ranch common facilities, provided the owner adheres to the unaccompanied guest policies outlined in the CC&Rs (See Section 6.28 of the CC&Rs).

Prohibited uses would include such things as operating a company that stores equipment and serves as a base for employees; renting out of any of their private facilities for any purpose; operating a tour service such as ATV, snowmobile or equestrian tours from their ranch or on ranch property; use of the ranch for corporate gatherings in which the owner is not present with guests and in which the unaccompanied guest policy cannot be reasonably expected to be adhered to. If there is a question and the CC&Rs do not provide enough guidance, we suggest submitting a request in writing to the Ranch Manager for Board of Directors approval or denial review prior to lot acquisition.

12.   Does Wolf Creek Ranch perform any ranching activities?  Yes. Sheep are grazed throughout the ranch for a couple of months in both the spring and fall. The benefits of such ranching activity include fire and weed suppression, as well as providing each owner a significant property tax benefit known as Greenbelt. It is the responsibility of each owner to fence the sheep out of his/her Area of Disturbance (AOD) if the owner wishes the sheep not to graze withing the AOD/near the house. Each fence must be approved by the Architectural Technical Committee (ATC). In the future, ranching may involve sheep and/or other livestock as approved by the Board of Directors.

 

Amenities and Activities Overview

1.     Guest Lodge:  The Guest Lodge is a 1500 square foot 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath fully appointed luxury cabin.  Nestled in a grove of aspens, it features sweeping views of Mount Timpanogos and the Wasatch Range.  The Lodge is available for use by Owners and their invited guests for a nightly fee of $200.

2.     Ranch Center:  The Ranch Center includes the Equestrian Center and Barn with an owner lounge with satellite TV and Wifi, kitchen and service bar, restrooms with lockers. There is an open barn area for family gatherings and Homeowner Association meetings.

3.     Yurts:  There are three Yurts stocked with essentials and situated in different areas of the Ranch for owner use as day lodges or, by reservation, for overnights.

4.     Trails:  There are approximately 60 miles of groomed trails running through the Ranch.  These trails are used by ATV’s, equestrian, mountain bikers, and hikers.  In the winter months, nearly half are groomed for snowmobiles, cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, and dog sledding.  Road cycling is popular on the roads.

5.     Uinta National Forest:  Wolf Creek Ranch shares approximately seven miles of  common border with the 2.2 million acre Uinta National Forest.  Owners can access the National Forest for hiking, camping, ATV’s, snowmobiling and other activities.  There are hundreds of miles of groomed trails and roads in the Forest

6.     Horse Back Riding:  During the summer season, WCR leases horses for trail rides and riding lessons.  An experienced Wrangler is on staff to assist the needs of Ranch owners and their guests.

7.     Trout Ponds:  Three large ponds located throughout the Ranch are stocked with rainbow and tiger trout for catch and release fishing.   Some brown trout are also present.

8.     Provo River:  WCR owners have access to over a mile of  private river frontage on the Upper Provo River via a permanent easement .  Guide service is available on this excellent trout fishery with rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout consistently taken on both wet and dry flies.  The river is well suited to fly fishing novices or experts.

9.     HOA Sponsored Events:   Several social events are sponsored annually by the Association, usually centered around the three annual meetings.   Many of the ranch owners also host events throughout the year centered around seasonal traditions.

10.  Wolf Creek Ranch Staff:  The Homeowners Association employs a full-time Ranch Manager, security and operational personnel and concierge services to help coordinate both Ranch functions and assistance with private parties, equipment rentals, etc.