Beautiful views of stunning Goat Wall flank this large home and separately rented, attached studio, in the Mazama area of the Methow Valley, just a short drive from miles of mountain biking, hiking and Nordic ski trails. Ski and hike right out your door! North Cascades Nat'l Park is ~45 minutes drive, accessed by Highway 20 in the summer. Want total privacy? Consider renting the attached studio as well. Please read this--yes, rather lengthy--listing description as it should answer most questions that arise. Please also read the house rules, welcome guide and other areas of the property listing.
Relax in the evenings and peaceful mornings or find a special spot within the 5 acres of grounds flanked by the towering and photogenic sheer rock mountain called Goat Wall. Enjoy the views, or take a stroll on the trail running along the back of the property. In the winter, a MVSTA trail crosses the driveway, a groomed cross-country ski trail that joins over 100km of other groomed trails in the 2nd-largest cross-country ski trail system in the country. For those who prefer snowmobiling, the Yellow Jacket Snow Park is just a few miles up the road. A mom and pop downhill ski area is about 45 minutes away between Twisp and Omak.
For complete privacy consider renting the attached studio if available.
*Please note our cancellation policy* Consider taking out travel insurance to protect you in case of any cancellation. Please do not expect us to be your insurance policy. We do not provide exceptions for and are not responsible for natural disasters which might affect your stay such as fires, smoke, floods, etc. As such, we do not refund your stay outside of the cancellation period guidelines (please read this section of the VRBO listing) if you decide to cancel due to an “act of God”, unless an official evacuation notice has been issued or all routes to the area are closed and guests are literally unable to come – which is a very rare occurrence. We also cannot provide exceptions for work conflicts, flight delays or cancellations, etc. Again, please consider purchasing travel insurance and understand that we are a very small business. If you still decide to cancel and did not elect to purchase travel insurance and part of the dates of your stay become rebooked we can refund that portion of your stay.
Room, Kitchen and Living Area Specifics:
There are 3 bedrooms and spacious full "loft" area (a third floor) with a queen bed, double bed and queen sleeper sofa. Additional seating areas on this floor include another couch and a chaise lounge. The TV is located on this floor. (An additional TV is in the King Master bedroom in the lower level.)
The main floor has a bedroom with a queen bed, bathroom with full bath across the hall. The laundry room is also located on the main floor as is the kitchen, dining area and living room with cozy propane fireplace. A heated mudroom in the entryway front door opens to the main floor.
The kitchen has a dishwasher, microwave, coffeemaker, french press, tea kettle, baking dishes, gas oven and range, cutlery, dishes, wineglasses and a dining table that seats 8-10. A large comfortable couch and chairs flank the propane fireplace. There is a landline and the phone is located in this living area. Please watch little ones, the electrical outlets aren't childproof, there is a balcony in the loft, and porches/railings with some height.
A large deck is off the dining area/kitchen and has outdoor seating areas, a propane barbecue grill and a propane fire pit table (the firepit and outdoor furniture are not available in the winter due to snowload). Another lawn faces this back deck. Wonderful to cozy up in the mornings with a cup of tea and quiet time or have a cook out/hang out. Or take one of the board games or puzzles outside and play.
The lower level has two bedrooms: a king room with a bathroom across the hall and a king master with full bath en-suite, a queen sleeper sofa and a twin murphy bed. A comfortable, welcoming and large house. Not fancy-luxe but you'll feel at home.
At this point you could be thinking "This is a long description." It is for a reason. We want to make it clear the type of place this is, besides special. And to help you prepare for your stay. This is not an architecturally refined with a modern, streamlined interior type home. There have been some updates and some we'd like to do, like replacing the carpeted areas with wood. A lot of that depends on contractor availability in a low population area. This description should answer most of the questions you may have. If it doesn't, feel free to drop me a line and ask!
We tend to get a lot of snow in the winter and everyone has to wait their turn to be plowed out, so it is not out of the question that you could be snowbound for part of a day in the winter if we get a big storm or you came without good 4x4 to navigate the usual snowfall. And when there is a big snow dump and/or temps are right, even 4X4 rigs can get stuck. Take it easy is the name of the game. The valley has to share plow service and when there is fresh snow, the driveway plow service gets to places as quickly and efficiently as they can. And they do a great job, but they are limited as to man/woman power as well. Please please please set your expectations accordingly to its rural nature and limited labor force in the small population to contract for upgrades and other projects. Things move slowly here.
Wi-fi isn't stellar out here and is not what you find in urban areas for sure (which is probably a good thing because it makes it easier to unplug and get away). Sometimes you can do a Zoom call without issue and sometimes can stream movies, but wouldn't count on it. We are on a waitlist to get better wifi that was recently rolled out.
And we'd like to mention again: there is an attached, separate rental, The Studio. Most people are quiet and respectful, but there is the possibility you could hear neighboring guests. If you'd like complete privacy, there is the option of renting this side as well, if it's available. You can drop us a message to give you a discount on renting this other unit at the same time.
Please be aware that the photos are not 100% accurate, as things are frequently being moved around, redecorated, replaced etc. but they are still a good indication of the overall look-and-feel.
Remember, you're not just renting lodging, you'll also have access to the 5 acres of grounds, private woods, national forest out the rustic back gate, a groomed cross country ski trail that crosses the driveway in the winter, beautiful swimming holes about a mile further down Lost River Road, hiking trails and a climbing area about 1/2 mile towards Mazama Store and a very special area at the back of the lawn under Goat Wall that is said to have been a site of native ceremony long ago.
Nature abounds. Which means sometimes moths or wee spiders find their way into the house from the woods that surround the cabin, especially if the doors are left open.
The Mazama Store is just down the road. It's 1.5 miles from Mazama Retreat at Goat Wall View--not a full grocery store but has produce, beer, wine, some bulk items, snacks, delicious to-go items, some deli items and dry goods).
There are also the following markets: Red Apple in Winthrop or Hank’s or Glover Street Market (not to be missed plus they have a superb wine cellar as well as local goods) if you’re coming from that approach. If you’re coming via the 20 by way of North Cascades National Park (summer only) load up on the west side of the mountains.
You’ll have access to a propane grill on the deck. Local restaurants don’t always keep consistent hours. Mazama Store has pastries (you might wish you never found out about them #temptation and their salted baguette is some of the best bread ever, say most people who’ve ever tasted it) and light takeaway breakfast and lunch fare; Jack’s at Freestone Lodge is good but call first; Winthrop has about a dozen restaurants but they tend to fill quickly in high season so I’d call ahead there too. Mazama Public House next to Mazama Store is new and has great indoor and outdoor seating, local art, open mic nites, local brews and pretty great architecture.
Again, this is not a Luxe VRBO (though props to those folks). If you need more insight on the casual, no frills (but charming) experience offered here, you can request a copy of Goat Wall’s “Treatise on Low Expectations” ;)
Quiet hours are 9 pm to 8 am.
Please note: 10 a.m. check out time is firm. Departures beyond this time will be charged a late check out fee.
We are delighted to share this special place with you!
