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Shalako
Ranch - SOLD
Colorado,
La Plata County, Durango.
Shalako is a 220-acre
ranch bordering two million acres of San Juan National Forest.
An architectural masterpiece, the main residence is 6,400+
sq ft, and is built on a hillside overlooking a bend in the
La Plata River, facing Mount Baldy. The foundation for a second
residence, designed with 8,000 sq ft of living space, has
been completed and overlooks the La Plata River. Full architectural
plans are available for this home. The grounds of the property
are exquisite and provide unlimited recreational opportunities.
The special nature of this ranch has undoubtedly received
the blessings of its namesake—Shalako, which is a Hopi
winter ceremony held to pray for rain, good health of the
people and for the propagation of plants and animals.
Location
and Area
Nestled in the picturesque La Plata Mountain valley at 7,900
ft. above sea level, the ranch is a convenient fifteen minutes
west of Durango’s historic downtown area. It is situated
just off County Road 124, a paved road accessed from US Highway
160.
The town of Durango
is 6,512 ft above sea level, surrounded by scenic mountain
views, and has over 300 days of sunshine each year. Comfortable
summer temperatures reach the upper 80s, while the autumn
days are clear, cool and full of vibrant foliage colors. The
crisp and sunny winter days often feature abundant, light
powdery snow favored by skiers.
Rural mountain charm
and character is contrasted by many big city conveniences,
including a state-of-the-art new hospital, fine restaurants,
shopping opportunities, a four-year college, many cultural
events and hotels. There are endless activities for the outdoor
sports enthusiast.
The La Plata County
area, which includes Durango and Bayfield, has a population
of 45,000. La Plata County Airport runs daily commercial air
service to Denver, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City and Phoenix,
with seasonal service to Houston, and includes facilities
for full service general aviation. The property is 100 miles
from Telluride, 170 miles from Grand Junction, 200 miles from
Albuquerque and Santa Fe, about 300 miles from Denver and
Colorado Springs and 450 miles from Phoenix.
Property
Details
Grounds
• Overall the property consists of 220 acres, with beautiful
meadows, river bottom, ponds and gentle sloping hills covered
with Pine, Spruce, Aspen, Oak and Cottonwood trees.
• Entry to the grounds passes through a series of landscaped
privacy burms with large boulders that lead to an electronic
security gate with key pad entry.
• Visitors passing through the entry gate trigger a
special bell alarm to alert residents.
• Once through the entry, the roadway leads past grassy
sub-irrigated meadows and a beautiful pond to a circle drive
in front of the main residence.
• Around the main residence there are lush gardens,
patios, a barbeque area and two kivas for entertaining.
• The La Plata River flows through the property for
3,400+ feet .
• The three ponds on the property are stocked with trout.
• There are several excellent building sites for an
equestrian barn and other outbuildings.
• Equine enthusiasts will find the property to be first-rate
riding terrain;
trail riding possibilities are virtually endless on and around
the property.
• The terrain is also excellent for cross-country skiing,
snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
• There is direct access to two million acres of National
Forest, making for unlimited recreational opportunities.
Main
Residence
• The main residence is an architectural masterpiece.
The home is 6,400+ sq ft and is crafted in such a way as to
appear to be part of the natural environment. It is situated
atop a hillside overlooking a bend in the La Plata River,
with the La Plata Mountains as the backdrop, making the scenic
qualities and peacefulness of this house truly one of a kind.
• Stepping out of your vehicle under the arched metal
porte cochere, you know you have arrived somewhere special.
• The grounds next to the main residence are landscaped
with massive boulders and natural vegetation indigenous to
the area, creating an environment that feels welcoming and
well as sacred.
• While it has a steel superstructure, the majority
of the dwelling is made from natural materials—red cedar
logs from British Colombia as well as sandstone, flagstone
and stacked moss rock from different locations in Colorado.
It took three years to construct this home with the skills
of several hundred craftsmen and tradesmen to complete the
many details.
• There are 4 bedrooms, 4 1⁄2 baths, a great room
and dining room, kitchen, office, media room and observation/sitting
room, all with extraordinary views of the La Plata Mountains
which can be seen from the very large banks of windows across
the back side of the house, allowing one to view the abundant
chipmunks, humming birds, sanctuary of birds, bald eagles,
elk, mule deer and other game.
• The kitchen is nothing short of a gourmet’s
delight. An imported, custom Swedish copper hood, with special
patina finish hangs over the 6 burner Wolf stove/grill. Other
features include: double Viking ovens, 48” Viking Grill,
Viking warming drawer, 2 U-line refrigerator drawers, two
Kitchen Aid dishwashers, instant hot water, custom spice and
knife drawers, granite counter tops, floating one-piece glass
bar and ample large, solid cherry cabinets.
• The oversized 3-car garage has significant storage,
hidden neatly behind a wall of cabinets with doors.
Other
features of the Main Residence
• The 22-gauge steel superstructure is the same as used
in a commercial structure. Exposed exterior surfaces are designed
to rust in such a way as to add color, blend in with the environment
and provide low maintenance. The interior surfaces are foam
insulated for superior temperature control and noise reduction.
• The wood inside the house is a pleasing combination
of hand crafted, high patina logs, solid cherry doors, cabinets
and doorframes.
• 440 yards of cement were used in the construction
of the house.
• The owner purchased a canyon in Dove Creek, Colorado
where much of the sandstone, flagstone and moss rock used
in the interior and exterior of the house were excavated.
• The residence has in-floor radiant heating and forced-air
conditioning.
• The expansive circular dining and great room with
25’ ceiling is designed after the Kivas at Mesa Verde
National Park.
• Custom azure glass is used for all windows.
• Use of a massive 60-ton rock has been incorporated
into the meticulously designed fireplace.
• There is a central sound system with speakers located
in all interior rooms, garage and exterior gathering areas.
• For lighting protection, there are several high-end
surge protection units.
• All bedrooms have wool Berber carpeting.
• Each room is bathed in dramatic, natural lighting
by the use of extensive widows and soft, curved surfaces creating
accents on walls and ceilings.
• For communications, there is an 11-line phone system,
high-speed DSL, a T-1 line, and HD satellite TV with 60”
plasma screen in the media room.
• A climate controlled 1,000 bottle and 50 magnum wine
storage cabinet is in the garage.
• Several security cameras continuously record on an
eight-day cycle and view the exterior as well as the interior
of the house. The system is also designed to allow remote
viewing from the Internet.
• A very productive well with an efficient purification
system supplies ample water to the property.
• Two 1,800-gallon cisterns with fire hydrants are strategically
placed to provide fire protection and mitigation.
• The two 1,000-gallon propane tanks are buried in a
convenient location for servicing.
• A soothing, cascading outside water feature, designed
with natural stone and incorporating water lilies and native
plants, is located just outside the master bath and bedroom
where one can easily observe the wild life that often comes
to drink.
• A walking path from the master bedroom leads to the
La Plata River; one can walk through the lush parks and meadows
along the river frontage.
• There is a five-year limited warranty on the house.
• Taxes are low since the property has been given agricultural
credit .(previously $5,900)
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Second
Residence
There is a second residence site east of the main residence.
Currently, the foundation has been poured and plans have been completed
on an 8,000 sq ft home with 5 bedrooms and all the luxuries you
would expect. Similar to the main residence, the building site is
perched above the La Plata River with views of a beautiful beaver
pond constructed in a meadow off the river.
Additional
Residence Opportunity
There is a 35 acre parcel available across CR 124 from Shalako
Ranch with a 3,000 sq ft and 1,000 sq ft home. It is owned by the
same owner as Shalako.
Local
Amenities
• There are equestrian/hiking/snowmobiling trails on the property
and throughout the San Juan National Forest.
• The Kennebec Café is 1 mile from the property—it
is known for its fine cuisine and atmosphere like the charming,
Tuscan countryside.
• Hesperus Ski Mountain is 2 miles from the property.
• Mesa Verde National Park is less than 30 minutes from the
ranch and the Four Corners National Monument is within less than
an hour’s drive; both are open all year.
Wildlife
and Recreation
There is an abundance of game on this
ranch due to its location, unique features and game management program.
The ranch supports a variety of habitat suitable for many species.
Animals often use the open habitat seasonally and the function—cover,
food acquisition, calving, etc.—often varies by season. In
the open areas there are elk, mule deer, coyote, black bear, bobcat,
mountain lion and many other small animals and a myriad of song
and game birds with an abundance of turkey. There are also bald
eagles and hawks that soar the sky above the ranch.
The local area also provides
numerous opportunities for all types of recreation. For downhill
skiing, Durango Mountain Resort is a 45-minute drive from the ranch,
while Wolf Creek and Silverton Mountain Ski Areas are a little over
an hour away. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling
are also available on the ranch, adjacent National Forest and throughout
the area. Summertime is also filled with opportunities for hiking,
fishing, boating, golfing and visiting the local Durango to Silverton
Narrow Gauge Railroad.
Excellent golf
can be found at Dalton Ranch Golf Club, Hillcrest Community Club,
the private Glacier Club (memberships available), and a top-rated
public course at Pinion Hills in Farmington, NM (approximately 35
miles).
$14,500,000
This property is offered by Legacy Properties West, LLC and is co-listed
with Bobbie Carll of Bobbie Carll Realty, LLC. All information provided
by Legacy Properties West, LLC or their sales representatives in
connection with this property was acquired from sources deemed reliable
and is believed to be accurate and reliable, however, we do not
warrant its accuracy or completeness. Legacy Properties West, LLC
recommends that every item of interest to the purchaser (i.e. water
laws, mineral laws, zoning, land use regulations, state, federal
and private permits) be independently verified by the purchaser's
attorney.
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Full architectural
plans are available for this second residence, designed with
8,000 sq ft of living space.
The foundation has been completed, and overlooks the La Plata
River.
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