The Roost: Mesa-Edge Valley Views, Hot Tub & Fenced Dog Orchard near Grand Mesa

We're Dylan and Alisha, and The Roost didn't start with us — it started with family. The property reflects generations of family history in the Cedaredge area, including ranching, orchard agriculture, and the seasonal movement of livestock onto Grand Mesa during summer months. Our family's grandfather once rode horseback from a farm in Cactus Park, up over the Mesa, and down to school in Cedaredge each day. The same views he saw are the ones you'll see from the deck today.

The three of us — the two of us and our daughter — are simply the current stewards. We get to live here for a while, care for it, and share it with people who are curious enough to slow down and notice where they are.

The Roost has also always been shaped by dogs. Our Woofpack — Darwin, Figgy Pudding, Artemis, Eloise Pidgewidgeon and Cinnamon Sugar Buns — tested the paths before the house was finished. The flooring, the outdoor access and the fenced Hidden Orchard all reflect that, and dogs are welcomed as guests, not tolerated as exceptions.

What we love most is the rhythm of the place: coffee on the deck watching light move across the valley, ravens riding the thermals below, hummingbirds at the deck feeders, long sunsets, clear stars, and quiet. We want staying here to feel less like a vacation rental and more like borrowing a well-loved mountain home.

We love hearing about your stay, and we would much rather answer a quick question than have you wonder quietly or guess. Kick off your boots, pour a glass of something local, and let the dogs nap. This is your Roost too — at least for a while.

The Roost sits on Cedar Mesa at about 7,000 ft, above the town of Cedaredge and at the foot of Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-topped mountain. It sits at the transition between fertile valley farmland and the high country: from the deck you can see the Surface Creek Valley below, the Mesa rising behind, and the West Elk Mountains and the San Juan range in the distance.

Grand Mesa is capped by basalt lava flows roughly 10 million years old. Snow that falls on the Mesa feeds Surface Creek and supports the orchards and farms below, and The Roost sits directly within that system. Many places offer views. Few offer context.

Cedaredge sits where the orchards meet the mesa, in a fruit-growing valley famous for apples, peaches, and lavender. The town balances its agricultural roots with a growing arts community, a walkable Main Street, and a pace that feels deliberate rather than slow. It took its name from the trees lining the Mesa rim: early settlers called them cedars, though they are botanically junipers.

What we enjoy most is life at elevation. The air is thinner, the sky is darker, and the stars are clearer. Weather announces itself early, light changes shape through the day, and wildlife moves through daily. From late April through September, dozens of Broad-tailed hummingbirds visit the deck feeders.

It is also a true basecamp. Grand Mesa National Forest, with over 300 alpine lakes, is about 15 minutes away, with Crag Crest Trail, Mesa Lakes, snowmobiling on 120+ miles of groomed trails, and cross-country skiing at County Line and Skyway. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is about an hour away, Colorado National Monument about 1.5 hours, and Gold Medal fishing in the Gunnison Gorge about 45–50 minutes. Orchards, wineries, restaurants, small towns, and wide-open drives are all part of the rhythm. Grand Mesa remains largely undiscovered, a place where the adventure-to-traffic ratio still favors solitude.

The Roost is not a resort. It is a place to understand where you are. Perched above Cedaredge at about 7,000 ft, it sits at the intersection of geology, landscape, and comfort, overlooking a valley fed by water stored in volcanic rock above. Many places offer views. Few offer context.

Inside, 3,800 square feet are arranged to balance gathering and retreat. The great room anchors the house, with large windows oriented toward the valley and Mesa, connecting the kitchen, dining area, and living room. The dining table seats 8, and four bedrooms sleep up to 15 — including Base Camp, the kids' favorite, with two custom-built bunk beds (each a twin over a full), Christmas lights, privacy curtains, and USB charging ports.

Outside, the Sunset Deck is our most photographed space: watch the alpenglow paint the Grand Mesa in shades of pink and gold. The hot tub comes with panoramic valley views. The Hidden Orchard is a private fenced orchard with benches, fruit trees, and flowers, and the dog door opens directly into it, so dogs roam freely while humans relax nearby. The house was built and refined by people who live with dogs.

The Roost is remote-ready, with a dedicated office (standing desk, dual monitors, and high-speed Wi-Fi), and RV-friendly, with a 30-amp RV hookup and a level parking area. On clear nights the property regularly sees Bortle 3 to 4 skies: thousands of stars visible to the naked eye and clear Milky Way structure.

Our guidebook is intentionally detailed. It explains the geology under your feet, the ecology around you, and the human history layered into the land. The Roost is a quiet place by design, meant for people who appreciate space, landscape, and learning.