Land for Sale in Bend, Oregon

High Cascade Timberland Portfolio encompasses six tracts in central Oregon, and is located near the towns of Sisters, Bend, La Pine, Gilchrist, Chemult, and Chiloquin. This extensive property, covering 197,596 acres, presents significant long-term appreciation potential, offering opportunities for sustainable timber management, recreation, and potential residential and mixed-use development. Over 80% of the landscape consists of highly productive conifer forests, interspersed with meandering rivers, creeks, and springs. The property's elevation ranges from 3,600 feet at Bull Springs Skyline tract to 6,400 feet at the Lakeview tract. The terrain features a diverse array of landforms, from deep canyon breaks and expansive forests to rugged alpine timber, all with breathtaking views of the Deschutes River Basin and the Cascade Mountains.

LOCATION

Located in central Oregon, near Bend, Oregon, the property lies on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in the Deschutes River Basin. Multiple Airports in Redmond, Bend, and Sunriver make the property quickly accessible by all types and sizes of aircraft - 25 minutes from Portland, 50 minutes from Seattle and just over an hour to San Francisco.

WATER RESOURCES

Highlighted by the Williamson River and the headwaters of the Little Deschutes River, the property is rich with live water originating both on-site and from the adjoining National Forest. It includes roughly four miles of frontage along the Williamson River, about two miles along the Little Deschutes River, and approximately three miles along Crescent Creek. The eastern exposure of the Cascade Mountains allows for significant snow accumulation, contributing to abundant groundwater recharge in the region.

HUNTING

This property is teeming with wildlife, thriving around its rivers, streams, timbered canyons, and expansive mountain meadows, making it a haven for year-round hunting. Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bear, cougar, wild turkey, and quail are all present on the ranch. The property qualifies for landowner permits, both archery and rifle, for deer and elk. Big game hunting is strategically managed to produce trophy-class Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer, with exceptional habitat supporting the abundance of trophy mule deer bucks.

TIMBER RESOURCES

The High Cascade Timberland Portfolio encompasses 185,526 acres of timberlands with a total net volume of 412 million board feet (MMBF) of merchantable saw timber, as assessed in the 2024 Timber Inventory. This volume is based on logs with a minimum six-inch diameter at the small end and lengths ranging from 16 to 32 feet, tailored to mill specifications. Beyond saw timber, there is significant biomass potential, with small-diameter logs yielding an estimated 160 MMBF of chip logs or approximately 880,000 bone dry tons (BDT). The annual growth rate of the timber is approximately 20 MMBF per year, representing a 5% increase.

The timberlands primarily consist of pine and fir species, with the majority being Ponderosa Pine, White Fir, and Douglas Fir, followed by Juniper, Larch, and other mixed conifers.

Lodge Pole Pine 48%

Ponderosa Pine 48%

White Fir 2.0%

Sugar Pine 1.5%

Other Mixed Confer 0.5%

LOGGING

The High Cascade Timberland Portfolio includes six tracts: Skyline, Wickiup, Gilchrist, Mazama, Spring Butte, and Lakeview. It features an extensive road network, with several mainline roads that are paved or rocked, providing efficient access to the timberlands for logging. At the heart of the tree farm lies the Gilchrist Mill, conveniently situated adjacent to the Gilchrist tract.

The current owners follow a sustainable yield model, limiting the annual harvest to be less than the forest's natural growth rate. This approach ensures the forests remain well-stocked, securing a steady source of logging income for years to come. The sustainable yield and uneven-aged management strategy promote significant long-term asset growth. The stands are densely stocked with high stem counts, including smaller diameter trees and biomass, resulting in a high basal area and robust growth potential for larger, high-quality timber over time. The property has effectively avoided major wildfire losses, thanks to an aggressive fuels' reduction program and exemplary forestry practices by the current landowners, contributing to direct environmental benefits and long-term forest health.

Nearby Mills:

Gilchrist, Gilchrist Oregon

Jeld Wen, Klamath Falls

Columbia Klamath Falls

Douglas County Forest Products Roseburg, Oregon

Collins Pine, Lakeview

Other Local Specialty Product Mills

Collins Pine, Klamath Falls (Chips)

Quicksilver Contracting, La Pine (Chips)

CARBON

In 2022, the property partnered with a carbon developer to establish a voluntary Carbon Credit Project, aiming to maximize the value of the underlying carbon credits. The company is currently in the process of quantifying the Emission Reduction Benefits (ERBs) on the property, with plans to validate, verify, register, and issue these credits in accordance with the applicable ERB framework. This partner has been granted exclusive rights to market the ERBs, and the anticipated annual logging activity has been factored into the calculations. The agreement encompasses all timberlands except for the Skyline tract, providing the buyer with the flexibility to explore additional opportunities at Bull Springs. If desired, the purchaser may choose to engage this company or others to pursue the carbon credit potential for this tract. The assessment of the ERBs is proceeding on schedule, with full registration expected by the end of 2025. High Cascade Timberland Portfolio anticipates generating significant cash flow from this source starting in 2026, with the agreement transferable to the new owner.

Solar Farms

High Cascade Timberland Portfolio has also leased approximately 4,800 acres on the Mazama tract to solar companies for the development of utility-scale solar power generation. These companies are currently finalizing site development and negotiating with utility providers and regulatory bodies. Once operational, these solar projects are expected to provide substantial recurring cash flow, aligning with Oregon's commitment to expanding its reliance on renewable energy sources.

Additional Income Sources

The property generates additional revenue through various leases, including cell tower placements, grazing permits, pumice mining, hard rock mining, and recreational use.

CONSERVATION

Given its historical significance in timber production, rich mining resources, established water rights, and strategic location within the Deschutes Basin watershed, the High Cascade Timberland Portfolio offers substantial potential for thoughtfully planned and layered conservation easements. Conservation efforts can be aimed at enhancing habitat complexity to support diverse fish and wildlife populations. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for the owner to implement long-term stewardship initiatives, ensuring the sustainable management and preservation of the land for future generations.