Escape to Mountain Liv'n, a stunning modern 100% solar-powered off-grid home nestled on a historic mountainside in the center of everything! We are situated on the top of a 1981 mining claim ridge with views of the Continental Divide while you are doing dishes and the surrounding Rocky Mountains. Enjoy a wrap-around deck with breathtaking panoramic views outside. Three large bedrooms, three bathrooms, with an open floor plan inside, and separate wood burning sauna and yoga/mediation space.
We are just 2 miles from I-70 and under 3 miles to downtown Idaho Springs. 1 hr to Denver Airport, 30min to Red Rock Amphitheater, 30-60min from amazing ski/snowboarding resorts!
The first floor features a modern kitchen, an open dining room and living room area with a wood-burning stove. There’s more than enough seating in this space for you and your guests to enjoy the views from the wall of large south and westward facing windows. There is a large storage closet under the stairs for outdoor gear, ski equipment and coats. The owner suite is located on the first floor with ensuite bathroom, and walk in closet. The main floor also has an additional common half bathroom with brand new full washer and dryer (detergent provided).
The second floor features two large, tastefully decorated bedrooms. Between the two rooms, you ’ll find a loft with a comfortable couch and a surround sound ROKU television. There’s a full bathroom located on this level, as well.
Bedroom Breakdown:
The owner suite is located on the first floor. It features a large bathroom with a two person tiled shower with bench, two large windows facing south and east and a king sized bed and a large walk in closet with dresser. Enjoy a small but growing selection of novels and books. There’s also a flat screen ROKU television.
The second bedroom features a plush queen bed, a large east-facing window with woodland and mountain views, a large sectional couch (that can convert to a 4th bed) and a built in dresser for clothing storage. This bedroom has a wall mounted tv with an Amazon Fire stick for you to log into your account after a long day of being outdoors. Please note, the closet is locked in this bedroom, but there is plenty of space for clothing storage within the room. This bedroom has a large vaulted ceiling.
The third bedroom features a comfortable queen sized bed with plush bedding, a spacious closet for clothing storage, a large west-facing window with mountain views is featured here, as well. This bedroom also has a large vaulted ceiling, with dedicated electric adjustable height work desk and extra monitor.
Bathrooms:
1 half bathroom on the first floor
1 full bathroom with large granite tile shower in the owner suite
1 full bathroom with shower/tub on the second floor.
Bathrooms are equipped with towels, soap, shampoo, conditioner, septic friendly premium toilet paper, and facial tissue.
About solar living: We rely on the energy of the sun to heat and power the home. While it’s different than on-the-grid living, it’s surprisingly simple to maintain and enjoy. There are a few things to be aware of, but it won’t greatly impact your stay. In the winter months, guests may want to light a fire in the wood stove at night, but during the day you’ll stay toasty warm thanks to great insulation and radiant floor heating. The dishwasher and washer/dryer should only run during daylight hours in order to maximize energy. Please note that the use of space heaters and high wattage appliances cannot be used. We do supply some high wattage appliances like a small microwave and hair dryer but we ask you keep these items unplugged when not in use and your mindful not to use the large appliances all at one time. Laptop computers and the like, are a-okay, but you won’t want to use these once you see this view. That's about it. If the house does not have enough solar power, a back-up generator will automatically turn on to help power the home. This house has been a short-term rental for over a decade ten and there has never been an issue! Pretty easy!
The water, stove, and radiant floor heating runs on propane. You will have more than enough hot water for showers each day. We do have septic and for how much we love our Charmin, our septic tank does not. No worries, we do supply the cushionier septic safe toilet paper but PLEASE nothing else down the toilet.
Everything is within reach here at Mountain Liv'n. Here are a few ideas of what to do while you're here. You'll find a guest book with more options upon your arrival.
•Denver is a beautiful 40 minutes drive down I-70.
•Skiing and snow adventuring: Vail Resort is one hour ten minutes away, Breckenridge is one hour away, Loveland (Fantastic and affordable! Where the locals ski) is a short 25-30 minute drive, and Winter Park is just 30 minutes away.
•Echo Lake on Mount Evans is a beautiful 25 minute drive where you and your group can hike and take-in the beautiful mountain setting in the summer or ice skate and sled in the winter.
•Take a river or lake fishing trip just a few minutes from the house.
•Enjoy mountain bike trail riding or running from your front door.
•Try-out a white water rafting trip down clear creek in the town of Idaho Springs – a quick ten minute drive from the home or a 20 minute mountain bike ride from the house.
•The home is located between Idaho Springs and Georgetown - two interesting towns with roots in the mining industry with many attractions and things to explore.
•Need a rest from all of that adventuring? Spend a day at Indian Hot Springs or one of the many hot springs nearby.
•Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater is 30 minutes away.
-Explore the amazing Breweries, Cidery, restaurants, shops, waterfall and walking paths in downtown Idaho Springs, under 3 miles down the hill.
Ski and outdoor adventuring gear can be rented in town. Cheap lift tickets are also available.
I've been told by the locals, no one has air conditioning, therefore our house does not either. At 8500ft elevation, no air condition is needed. Summer days are normally in the 70s with cool night and a great breeze being on a ridge. When we bought the home we were worried but we do not have humidity, little to no bugs, and simply opening windows if needed is natures air conditioning.
Last but not least, we HIGHLY recommend renting an all-wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicle for the months of October through May. Historically, we have received our largest snowstorms in March and April. Our home sits just 2 miles from the city of Idaho Springs but it is 1000 feet of elevation gain, so there are some steep climbs, it's part of mountain liv'n. Most of the 2m road leading to the home is unpaved and up a bit of a grade. The final 0.5 mile ascent to the house is single car and also steep - even in the summer months, so please consider this when planning your trip.
We love to help, feel free to reach out!
