153 Elsa Ln

Location: Located 3.5 miles from the square in Downtown Johnson City, Madrone Peaks Ranch is a towering gem in the heart of the Hill Country. With the highest point on the Ranch sitting at 1764', the remarkable twin peaks are visible for miles and offer some of the best views in Blanco County. The ranch sits in an exclusive area known for its rugged beauty, bordering well-known Bamberger Ranch Preserve and only a few miles from the Preserve at Walnut Springs. The North side of the property watches over the the small town of Johnson City, a recreation hub that sits on the banks of the Pedernales River. When you wind up the Ranch Road and crest the pass, the Grasslands and Hill Tops of the 5,500 acre Bamberger Preserve and the Ranches at Brushy Top stretch to the southern Horizon. Topography, Vegetation and Wildlife: While the steep Peaks are the most commanding visual features, the ranch is not all steep inclines and deep canyons. Almost half of the ranch is gently sloping and rolling topography. The Native grasses are not over grazed, and while the ranch would benefit from some cedar removal, Live oak and Spanish Oak are abundant. When climbing the hills or hiking the canyons, you will notice the unmistakable smooth red bark of the Texas Madrone Tree. Known for its beauty and scarcity, the tree is native to West Texas, New Mexico and small pockets in the Texas Hill country where the soil, sun and drainage are conducive to its survival. Hence, it is exciting to see the abundance of Madrone Trees on this ranch. The wildlife is typical of the Hill Country with a strong White Tail Deer population. The owners' family purchased the Ranch in 1960 for the sole purpose of deer hunting, a pastime that has been bringing people to the Johnson City area for decades. The varied topography provides great habitat, and selective harvesting on the ranch, combined with preservation-minded neighbors, translates into phenomenal low fence Hill Country deer hunting.