San Francisco, Sierra Nevada

THE SPACE

Sky Mountain is found at the end of a one lane road that meanders through the older original part of Pine Flat village. The last quarter mile is a dirt road that ends at the house. The house is secluded and private with no neighboring homes within sight.

The house is divided into two wings. Between the two wings there is an indoor spa/hot pool and a larger cool pool. The pools are not completely automated and require some manual operation. The south wing or main part of the house has a master bedroom and a guest room, each with an ensuite bathroom. The master bedroom has a king size bed. The guest room has a queen size bed. The north wing of the house has a room with accommodations for four consisting of two sets of bunk beds. Each bunk bed is a twin size bed. There is also a sofa with pull out double size hide-a-bed. It is not as comfortable as a standard double bed but does offer an extra sleeping accommodation if needed. There is an adjacent full bathroom and also a laundry room.

I list the house with overnight accommodations for 8. In a pinch it could accommodate a couple of extra guests. The pull out couch in the bunkbed room is a double so that room can accommodate 6. We ask that the total number or guests staying at the house be limited to 10.

The house is older but well built and well insulated. The south or main wing is heated and cooled via thermostatically controlled central heating and air conditioning. It also has an air tight wood stove. The wood stove in the main wing of the house has a catalytic converter and thermostatically controlled blower. There are do's and don'ts for proper stove operation. Please refer to the wood stove instructions in the house manual if you want to have a fire in it.

The bunkbed room (north wing) has a heat pump which will both heat and cool. The north wing also has a wall heater and a wood stove.

There is a VOIP telephone and internet service with Wi-Fi but no broadcast TV service or cell phone service. If you have WiFi enabled calling on your phone you can use your cell phone to make and receive calls if you are in or next to the house. A 4K flat panel TV is available if you want to stream movies via the internet. The TV has an Amazon Fire Stick for accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and other content providers. The internet service is a highspeed Starlink satellite system installed in January, 2022. Data speeds are 100-200 Mbps with low latency and no data caps. (Versus 3-25 Mbps, high latency, and data caps with the old system.) The new system is good for streaming HD movies, video conferencing, and work from distance.

If you want to use the pools you must be willing to check the water level and add water if necessary, add chlorine if needed, and turn on the pump motors and pool heater. It is all done with valves and switches so it is not difficult but does require following the instructions and remembering to do certain things. I will send you detailed instructions and am happy to answer questions by phone if you need guidance.

Sky Mountain is located on the western slope of the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains at an elevation of 3,750 feet. It is within the boundaries of Giant Sequoia National Monument. To the west and about 10 minutes away is the resort of California Hot Springs. A couple miles to the east by way the crow flies is the southernmost grove of Giant Sequoia redwood trees. About 30 minutes to the northeast is the Trail of 100 Giants and more giant redwood groves. Farther to the north are Mineral King, Sequoia National Park, and Kings Canyon National Park.

GUEST ACCESS

The house is self check-in. There is a combination lock on the gate and a key pad entry on the front door. I will provide the codes for both after you have completed your reservation.

With the exception of the shop building and an owners storage closet in the pool equipment room you have entire use of the house and property. There is a second refrigerator in the garage that you can plug in if you have extra items you need to keep cold. Use of the two 4 wheel drive vehicles in the garage is not included.

If you have a horse or ATV or just hiking shoes you are welcome to roam around and explore the property. If hiking it is best to have boots or high top shoes when walking through the grass in summer and fall. The grass has little burrs that love to get stuck in you socks and are difficult to remove.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

Not to alarm but you should be aware, it is a country house and mother nature’s little critters sometimes appear. Various bugs and lizards are not uncommon. We have not had any mice in years but I do keep a few mouse traps in the house in case one should get in. Ant spray is kept under the kitchen sink. I have not seen a rattle snake in over 3 years but they are a possibility in the summer and fall when the weather is warm.

Please make a habit of closing the door when you enter and exit the house. It is a lot easier to keep little critters out as opposed to catching them once they get in.

Food or garbage must not be left out. especially overnight as animals and insects mistakenly think dinner has been provided for their benefit. Bagged garbage can be stored in the garage when the kitchen garbage can becomes full. There is no community garbage pick up service. I have been able to hire a local person to remove garbage after your departure.

There are black bears and mountain lions in the surrounding mountains. A sighting happens occasionally but it is very rare for either animal to venture near Pine Flat. You may see deer. Just after sunrise and before sunset they will meander through the meadow to get a drink of water from Capinero Creek.

Hunting is not allowed. While the area around the house is private and no other neighbors can be seen we do have neighbors through the trees on the other side of Capinero Creek. As a courtesy to the neighbors we request that guests refrain from shooting guns.

Note: The area is a wildfire high risk area. If you are staying at the house during fire season (summer and fall) campfires are not allowed.