A ranch in Wyoming, which is four times larger than New York City and surpasses Rhode Island in size, has been purchased by a CEO and local political figure. The ranch, known as Pathfinder Ranch, spans an impressive 916,000 acres and was acquired by Christopher Robinson, CEO of Ensign Group LC, who also possesses an already vast land portfolio of 1 million acres.
Robinson completed the purchase on January 14th, though the financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. This acquisition comes just four years after he bought the neighboring Stone Ranch. Broker Scott Williams from Swan Land Company initially listed the property for an eye-watering $79.5 million during the summer.
Pathfinder Ranch covers 1,431 square miles and is divided into four separate tracts, making up over 1% of Wyoming’s total land area. The deed for this significant acquisition includes an area of up to 99,188 acres, with additional lands leased for operational use.
The resident of Park City, Utah, intends to use this new acquisition to connect his existing ranch properties and develop a self-sustaining farm for livestock. “We, as operators, are trying to rally that,” he noted, emphasizing their focus on internal livestock growth rather than external purchases.
Robinson estimates the land’s capacity to support up to 90,444 animal units each month. Speaking about the rising costs of cattle, he expressed, “We’re not going to buy mother cows for storage…we’re retaining a lot of heifers.” He also mentioned the possibility of managing yearling sales if necessary while ensuring that the core breeding stock remains untouched.
The Ensign Group, co-owned by Robinson and his siblings, has expanded its holdings to exceed 1 million acres across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming under the Ensign Ranch name. With the latest addition of Pathfinder Ranch, the group might climb ten spots in a landownership ranking list, potentially rivaling Jeff Bezos’ own extensive land holdings.
Robinson emphasized the family’s investment philosophy, stating, “We love land and water,” seeing it as a long-term commitment to stewarding the environment. A graduate of the University of Utah, Robinson has been an active member of the Summit County Council since his election in 2008. However, he announced plans not to seek re-election last December.
Robinson’s investment will support a variety of wildlife, including significant populations of sage-grouse, antelope, deer, and elk, adding to the ecological value of the land. He described the property as “full of life force” and a prime location for conservation efforts.
With its scenic rolling hills and expansive river valleys, Pathfinder Ranch is thought of as a quintessential cowboy haven and stands out as one of the largest properties for sale in Wyoming. “This is a plan that will take time to come to fruition,” he remarked, projecting a thoughtful and sustained commitment to the land.
