I dare you to find a place more wild, more untouched, more quintessentially Americana than the 30-mile stretch of wilderness once called the "Unknown Mountains." The Henry Mountains, as they're now known, were the last unmapped range in the lower 48 states. Here, the steep, purple domes of the Henrys rise sharply against the barren desert badlands and flat mesas, creating a dramatic contrast that feels almost otherworldly. These mountains, known to geologists the world over, hold geological eccentricities that have been written about in nearly every language. They cradle a mosaic of landforms, ecosystems, and species, where the largest free-roaming, huntable buffalo herd in the nation roams alongside mule deer, coyotes, cougars, bighorn sheep, and an astonishing array of birds. This is a land where the topography thrills as much as the wildlife. Sun-scorched deserts and deeply cracked canyons give way to volcanic peaks, cloaked in forests of juniper, pinyon, ponderosa, spruce, aspen, and the ancient bristlecone pine. Natural springs weave like veins through the cooler, wetter elevations. This is a place of contrast and intrigue.
For the first time in generations, and likely the last time for generations to come, the historic "Cat Ranch" in the Henrys is being offered to the public. Perched on the northeastern hips of Mount Hillers–known locally as "Middle Mountain"–this rare private inholding is a treasure, bordered on three sides by the Mount Hillers Wilderness Study Area. With a year-round creek and irrigation rights for 80 acres, this land is as rich in resources as it is in beauty. The main home, a classic red barndominium, is so Town and Country, you can't help but love her. Clad in corrugated steel with a lofty interior, this home embodies both form and function; when you lock up and leave, you don't have to worry about a thing. This home was built to endure whatever a frisky wilderness might throw its way. A spacious, free-standing workshop sits nearby, housing the off-grid utilities that keep this haven self-sufficient. But the true allure of this place is the landscape itself. A simple stroll through the old wooden fence into the neighboring orchard will leave you wordless, transported to a bygone time. A metal cauldron waits in the meadow, ready for evening campfire cooking. Water meanders casually through its channel, drawing birds and deer to linger. Time-worn centennial trees stand like guardians of the past, waving gently in the occasional breeze. Eventually, sunset plays your every sense like a fiddle. It is pure country magic.
Remnants of the original Cat Ranch homestead are scattered around like little bridges to history. Old farm equipment, lambing sheds, and other relics whisper tales of the old American west. The Henrys have preserved that frontier spirit, evoking a deep nostalgia, and offering an authentic, untamed, wilderness experience. Come feel the seduction of wide open spaces. Here, where the buffalo still roam freely, and the night sky is so revealing, you can see the Milky Way. Come adventuring and exploring. Come build forts with your friends. Rewild yourself and your family. Build domes in the alpine forest section of land and allow guests to witness the life-altering dark sky experience in a glamping resort of your making. With 520 acres and access to water, the possibilities reach as far into the blue sky overhead as these peaks. Despite their seclusion, the Henrys are strategically located and accessible. They sit just north of Lake Powell, and south of Hanksville, with several National Parks, monuments, and recreation areas nearby, including Capitol Reef National Park and Goblin Valley.
Solitude is the new luxury. Land with water is the new heirloom everyone desires. This is more than a property; it's a legacy. It's a portal to a vanishing way of life. Call me, and together we'll embark on an adventure to a place I promise you’ll never forget.