House in Durango, CO

At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'

At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'

Photo gallery for At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'

great room
winter view from the deck
summer afternoon
the apartment
Electra Lake / one mile east

Overview of At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'

9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5102 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill

Enjoy the area

Durango, CO
  • Popular LocationElectra Lake13 min walk
  • Popular LocationCliffs at Tamarron9 min drive
  • Popular LocationPurgatory Resort28 min drive
  • AirportDurango, CO (DRO-La Plata County)56 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining Area

About this property

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

Property manager

Katie James

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Mountain view

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No outside fires without permission from Property Managers. Violators could be fined.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Durango

Located in Durango, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Purgatory Resort and Cliffs at Tamarron are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Durango Discovery Museum and Fetch's Mining & Mercantile. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Electra Lake - 13 min walk
  • Cliffs at Tamarron - 9 min drive
  • Purgatory Resort - 28 min drive
  • Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 32 min drive
  • Fort Lewis College - 38 min drive

Getting around

  • Durango, CO (AMK-Animas Air Park) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • Olde Schoolhouse Cafe and Saloon - 5 min drive
  • Purgy's - 10 min drive
  • Basecamp Durango - 9 min drive
  • Paradise Pizzeria & Ice Creamery - 10 min drive
  • Bear Bar - 10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly' pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly'?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is At 8400 Feet - 'Live Where the Gods Fly' located?

This family-friendly Durango holiday home is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Electra Lake and Animas River. Purgatory Resort and Cliffs at Tamarron are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 72 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 72 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mark D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Durango Paradise
We had a wonderful stay at the property. The view of the valley is magnificent every morning. Th host was great to work with. We used the patio several times to have coffee in the morning or cocktails in the evening. Great to have some fans as it was a little warm in the afternoon.
Stayed 21 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing stay in SW Colorado
First time in SW Colorado and this location, between Durango and Silverton, was perfect. Beyond being close to amazing hikes and breathtaking scenery, the property and the surrounding houses are situated among the trees so you really do feel like you’re away from it all. You can keep Vail and Telluride. This is the way to Colorado.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Durango mountain getaway
Beautiful property surrounded by mountains and wildlife.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jay D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Electra Lake
Very relaxed, well maintained property. Views out the living room windows are spectacular. Great property and area
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cassie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Trip
Favorite part was the views from the living room and deck!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

About the host

Hosted by Katie James

Host profile image
The decision to establish roots in Durango was a very personal choice for our family. In 1992, our youngest daughter was granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and our family of six flew to Disney World for a week of non-stop stimulation.

When we returned to California, we were determined to fulfill another wish of hers - to find a place in the mountains with big trees and wild animals that we could all enjoy as a family.

After considering Ashland in Oregon, Flagstaff in Arizona, and Lake Tahoe in California, we were referred to Durango by a friend. The locals were so warm and without pretense that we immediately felt comfortable in the setting. There was so much to do, so many places to see, that we were sure that we had found what we were looking for.

It's been thirty years now since we were fortunate enough to find Pine Point. Thankfully, everyone in the family is healthy and now we experience the area with our grandchildren as well. Sharing our home with other families has always been part of the plan.

Why they chose this property

Living on the West Coast for the past forty years, our family has always enjoyed a true mountain experience away from the beaten path yet appreciates the amenities provided by city culture.

The Needles range of the San Juan Mountains provides such an experience as does the city of Durango with its fine restaurants and diverse cultural opportunities even though it has a population of just 17,000.

When we first purchased this home it was a 600 sq ft summer cabin without a well, heat, or decks to take advantage of the amazing views. We have doubled the size of the house anchored by a twenty five foot south-facing wall of glass to make living indoors seem like living outdoors.

The challenge of continually upgrading the living experience at Pine Point with the input of guests and friends has always been and continues to be rewarding.

Many of our guests come back or refer their friends.
We are confident that you will feel the same way.

What makes this property unique

The setting is not only stunning, but a perfect distance (17 miles) and a great drive south to town, and in the other direction yet another memorable drive (25 miles) north to Silverton, Ouray, Telluride, and the original 'Million Dollar Highway.'

With two lakes within walking distance, an abundance of trails in any direction, and the immediate glacial views of the Hermosa Cliffs, it is no wonder that the locals refer to this area as the Gold Coast of Durango.

But perhaps the most unique aspect of our home is the downstairs apartment. As the parents of four children, we designed this space to be a sanctuary away from everyday family life complete with a half kitchen, shower, and 270 degrees of glass to take advantage of the views and peacefulness. An intercom and outside stairway connects the two living spaces. The arrangement has worked incredibly well for everyone as our children are able to enjoy their own space as well.

* note - sometimes, families decide that the teenagers use the apartment which seems to suit everyone just fine. Parents then use the enclosed master bedroom with views in the upstairs loft.
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