At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'

*** PINE POINT *** Winter guests: 4WD REQUIRED!!

Colorado at its rugged best ... Native Americans had a phrase for this unique area of the majestic San Juan Mountain Range - 'Where the Gods fly.' Your residence which is best termed a getaway cabin, is set in an aspen/pine forest at 8400' perched on a Rocky Mountain cliffside beneath the rugged 11,000' rock formation named the Hermosa Cliffs.

We offer a true intimate family setting with outstanding views and total privacy. Seventeen miles north of town, Pine Point is a convenient four miles away from the Durango Mountain Resort. What makes this property unusual are the two separate residences attached by an outdoor stairway allowing families or friends to have both access and privacy.

The upper main residence is a two bedroom/one bath living space which includes a cathedralesque great room with incredible views and a twenty five foot/south facing wall of glass. The wrap-around deck provides more than (300) sq. ft. of additional outdoor living space and expansive views carved by ancient glaciers winding down the Durango Valley. From the deck or from the great room, guests often feel as if they are standing in mid-air.

Downstairs (under the upper deck) is a separate studio apartment complete with a kitchen, bath, and private deck. With its 270 degrees of glass, this space is perfect for a couple and was originally designed for parents to find refuge from their teenage children.


*** LOCATION ***

** Do not use Google maps to locate. We will send you directions.

Pine Point is a two house cul-de-sac with our neighbor's house directly behind us as to not compromise the view. There are two lakes located nearby - Electra and Haviland. Unfortunately, access to Electra Lake is currently restricted until 2023 due to construction on the dam that creates the lake.

Haviland Lake is two miles down the road on Hwy 550 and though smaller than Electra is equally charming. Part of the lake requires no fee whereas the more popular camping and fishing sites do require a small payment.

You are also four miles from a world-class ski and hiking resort. The close proximity of Pine Point to the Purgatory Resort affords an active family or group the best of all worlds - excellent public recreation areas and a warm, totally private house which feels like home. Check with resort to determine when it provides services.

It must be noted that the second bedroom upstairs in the main house is small and we have decided that it be deemed appropriate for one person instead of two in spite of the queen futon. Historically, we originally considered it a two person room.


*** HISTORY OF PINE POINT ***

Pine Point in Durango is indeed one of those undiscovered spots in the world which forms an indelible impression once you are there. Our family lives year round in a 1909 house overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara. In 1992, we decided to look for an equally spectacular mountain residence ... we wanted something undiscovered - not Mammoth or Aspen or Jackson Hole.

We wanted an experience that encompassed a spectacular view with a modest home that reflected our values. Living at Pine Point includes living among wild animals, soaring birds of prey, and the feeling that you are midway between the wild and civilization.

Again, what makes our property stand out from others is the fact that our studio apartment offers a separate residence for guests who fall into the 'separate couples' category or for 'parents and children' spending their summer vacations together. Too often a mutual friend vacation or a family vacation is anything but a vacation ... there is never enough space for couples or different generations to feel as if they have the needed privacy.


**** The Seasons ****

(A) Summer (Jun - mid Sept)

At 8400', the mornings are cool and sunny, the afternoons shaded by tall pines complete with mountain breezes. During June, the rivers run high with winter snow runoff and the wildflowers begin to flourish. In July, dramatic thunderstorms arrive as quickly as they disappear in the afternoons, and the bears begin to occasionally pass by as all guests are asked to bring in any food at night. August temperatures are somewhat cooler and in many ways August is the most interesting month as the smell of Fall slowly comes to play.

(B) Fall (mid Sept - Thanksgiving)

Fall is absolutely our favorite time of year - the aspen turn bright orange and yellow as the scrub oaks turn flaming red. At this time of year, we usually manage to stay there for at least three weeks ourselves. There are surrounding weeks which also offer the Fall experience.

(C) Winter- 4WD REQUIRED

Major snowfall yields a number of transportation problems that guests can possibly face. We do our best to blend in with the local community who don't appreciate their roads being blocked by visitors who have difficulty driving in the snow. For this reason, we require guests to have 4WD vehicles in the winter. Please note, AWD is NOT 4WD.
The chances of getting stuck on the way to our home in winter are high without 4WD and possible even with 4WD depending on if the plows have cleared the road. This makes for a fun adventure getting snowed into the home, but a costly and embarrassing experience if you get stuck on the road blocking access. Tow trucks charge a premium and often cannot help until plows arrive. This could take awhile!

So please, check in with our property manager, Katie, prior to booking in the winter, and prior to check in to touch base about road conditions and snow forecasting. If you have a sense of adventure, and love winter recreation, you will love our home in the winter! Welcome to heart of snow country!

(D) Spring (May, Jun)

Spring at Pine Point is often sunny and relatively warm during the day, and then cold at night with daily temperatures ranging approximately from 60 degrees during the day to 30 degrees at night. It is a beautiful time to relax and watch the last of the snow melt as the elk migrate to higher elevations and the birds begin their dance.

*** So if you decide to visit this semi-tamed part of the southern Rockies, be sure to understand that this is not the same as living in a resort condo or in the middle of nowhere. The cabin is well-maintained, but not new ... it does provide a personal experience that almost all of our guests find to be memorable. Many of our guests return year after year. Reservations are best made pretty far in advance.

Lic # 27274919.

Keywords: Spectacular View