La Sal Ranch Utah: Towering over the vast redrock country in southeastern Utah near Moab, Utah, the La Sal Mountains form a green alpine refuge for mule deer, elk and even trout. The La Sal Ranch is arguably the finest ranch in this cool alpine oasis, and spans 1,878 acres of spruce forests, verdant meadows and aspen groves at elevations from 9000 to nearly 11,000 feet. As a wildlife-filled mountain hideaway in close proximity to some of the most dramatic desert scenery in the United States, La Sal Ranch simply has no peers.
The La Sal Ranch was homesteaded in the early 1900s, but few improvements were made. Thus, the ranch retains much of its undeveloped character, ideal as a refuge for wildlife. Trophy elk and mule deer hunting is excellent on the ranch and the adjoining Manti-La Sal National Forest, and the ranch is part of Utah’s Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit Program, which allows landowners yearly deer and elk tags for any weapon, and a minimum two-month hunting season. Elk recently taken in the area have scored over 380 Boone and Crockett points. Other wildlife thriving on the property for hunting or photography includes turkey, mountain lion, black bear, coyotes and bobcats.
Deep Creek, a delightful perennial stream, bisects the ranch for a mile and waters a rich riparian zone valuable to many species of birds and game. Deep Creek could be enhanced as a trout fishery, perhaps as a refuge for rare Colorado Cutthroat trout, found in nearby Roc Creek. In addition, several trout ponds could be created at several locales on the ranch, fed by reliable springs.
