Nestled in a picturesque valley within the lovely gated community of Elk Stream Ranch, Helmet Peak Ranch encompasses 36.5 beautifully manicured acres in a very private setting. The ranch is at an elevation 7,600 ft. above sea level, in an area that is graced with 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. The ranch is located 6 miles east of the rural city of Mancos and sits at the base of Mesa Verde National Park. The near by town offers basic services to the surrounding community. Also, the charming town of Durango is located 20 miles to the north, and has many big city conveniences, including a state-of-the-art new hospital, many fine restaurants, hotels, shopping, a four-year college, and numerous cultural activities. The four-corners area provides endless activities for the outdoor sports enthusiast. The Montezuma County area, which includes Mancos, Cortez and Dolores, has a population of approximately 30,000 and is the most southwestern of the 64 counties in the state of Colorado. Mesa Verde National Park, Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Yucca House National Monument, and Hovenweep National Monument preserve hundreds of ancient American Indian structures, including the famous cliff dwellings, found in the county. Roughly 1/3 of the county is tribal land, 1/3 is federal land (administered by the National Park Service, the United States Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management), and 1/3 is private or state/county land. The La Plata County area, including Durango and Bayfield has a population of 45,000. La Plata County Airport runs daily commercial air service to Denver, Albuquerque and Phoenix, with seasonal service to Houston and Dallas, and includes facilities for full service general aviation. The property is approximately 75 miles from Telluride, 170 miles from Grand Junction, 210 miles from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, about 320 miles from Denver and Colorado Springs and 430 miles from Phoenix.

Property Details

Helmet Peak Ranch has a custom 4,600 SQ FT stick built 3-story home of cedar, river rock and Engelmann spruce logs, with 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ half baths, that has a gated sub-division entrance and is situated on 36 ½ meticulously kept acres. There are 2 additional heated and well-lit unfinished craft rooms in the basement and over the garage. The home was built by Aaron Taylor Construction, who is revered in the region for building some of the most beautiful and architecturally significant homes. The custom design exudes quality and has the feel of casual elegance and understated luxury. There is a pleasing mixture of eco-painted and wood interior walls with plenty of natural light that streams from multiple windows, capturing beautiful views of the valley and surrounding mountains and woodlands. The property has 8 acres of meadows with scattered gamble oak and pines, backing up to thousands of acres of BLM land. Set in a private canyon that is 6 miles long, 1 mile wide at widest point, and with approximately 200 ft. in elevation change, it is dramatic. Another significant feature of this property is the abundant water supply from a well that produces 15+ gallons per minute. If desired, one could acquire more acreage for expanded equestrian or other recreational activities by purchasing the adjacent 35+ parcels.

Outside and Grounds

Gravel driveway with gentle grade and turn around area

Abundant wildlife year round

The natural landscape has been meticulously groomed around the house to enhance the beauty and provide fire mitigation

Seasonal stream that runs down next to driveway

Year round stream crosses property

Well water produces 25 gpm, necked down to 15 gpm. It pumps to an 1,800-gallon cistern near house, which in turn pumps to another 300-gallon storage tank in garage for house usage—pumps are operated by gravity and pressure switch

RV parking with turn-around in meadow with electric, telephone and water

Hot and cold water outside of garage for car washing, etc.

There is an oversized septic system

Large wrap-around wood deck looks out to valley and mountain views; electrostatic powder-coated railings resist rust for many years; inside deck under eaves is partially grated allowing water and snow to fall through to ground

Key Home Features

Abundant windows throughout home let in abundant natural light

Passive solar heat from SE face

Master suite on main level

Open floor plan great for entertaining

Separate heating controls (10) for each bedroom and area of house

Solid random-width Alder floors, carpet and tile

Aspen tongue and groove ceiling

Solid knotty Alder doors throughout

Hurd windows throughout

Alder molding around windows and door jams

Hand-hewn pine railing and robust spindles going to second floor and down to lower level

Cross-beams have detail accent of black supports with silver bolts which give it a lovely touch

High-end, hammered antique brass hardware throughout

High-end Kohler plumbing fixtures throughout

High end stainless steel appliances: SubZero, Viking and Fisher-Paykel

Non-toxic milk paint on all cabinets

Each of the bedrooms has ensuite baths; oversized walk-in closets

Cathedral, beamed ceiling at 33’ in main living area with beautiful windows from floor to peak

10’ ceilings in rest of the house except for 9’ in basement

Radiant floor heating upstairs, downstairs and garage, with baseboard hot water heating on third level; 10 separate zones

Every room in house has live outlet with connection for a generator so if there would be a power outage, each room and appliances have power

Fans in most rooms

Unique and varied light fixtures and sconces inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright throughout

Recessed lighting throughout home

Wrap around outside deck for entertaining off dining room, kitchen and master bedroom

Covered front porch

MAIN LEVEL

Kitchen

Large open kitchen for entertaining

Alder Hardwood floors

Spacious slate tile countertops

Center island with drop-down halogen light fixtures; cabinetry and drawers; area for bar stools

Under counter and cove lighting give very functional work area illumination

48” Sub Zero side by side stainless steel refrigerator

Stainless steel double sink; Kohler plumbing fixtures

6-burner gas Viking stove top with griddle and Best overhead vent

Viking oven, bread oven; electric/convection

Kitchen-aid compactor

Fisher-Paykel dual drawer dishwasher

Crown Point (NH) custom, solid maple cabinets and drawers; shelving; area above cabinets for decoration

Built-in standing mixer cabinet; stores mixer unit and pulls up to lock in at countertop level

Lazy Susan cabinets in corners

Cookie sheet and cutting board cabinets

Built-in cookbook shelf

Large Walk-in Pantry

Lots of adjustable shelving and drawers

Well-lighted

Alder Hardwood floors

Mud Room

Large room with Italian tile flooring - enter from garage

Alder wainscot half way up

Alabaster craftsman style light fixture

Laundry Room

Oversized area

Fisher-Paykel top loading washer and dryer in separate closet

Custom Crown Point (NH), solid maple cupboards and drawers; adjustable shelving

Built-in desk, and shelves with tile counter

Great cupboard and drawer storage

Functional broom closet

Stainless steel sink and Kohler fixtures

Double windows make it very nice and full of light

Living Room/Great Room/Foyer

Living room has 33’ cathedral ceiling; facing SE with lots of solar gain

Magnificent wall of floor to ceiling, molded windows; pleated shades on upper windows

Beautiful solid 30’ tall x 30” wide Engelmann Spruce vertical support log beams at corners of living room

Hardwood Alder floors

2 sets of double sliding doors go out to deck

River rock and brick fireplace; Flagstone hearth

Very efficient Extraordinaire wood stove insert with blow-out fan

Recessed lighting and wall sconces

Built-in media cabinet made of quarter-sawn oak on one side of fireplace; glassed and oak CD cabinet with adjustable shelves on other side of fireplace

Built-in 5.1 surround sound with multiple in-wall speakers in wall

Electric outlets in floor and walls

Distressed double wide oak doors entering foyer have bubble-glass to let in natural light; large foyer from front entrance is open to living room; with powder room and hall closet

Dining Room

Dining room separate from living room and kitchen yet with open floor plan

Alder wainscoting and stenciled accent wall

Alder Hardwood floors

Pendant lighting

Double sliding glass doors with access to deck

Powder Room

Recycled green glass counter tiles

Victorian plunger pull toilet

Kohler fixtures and porcelain basin

Lighted wall sconces

Master Suite and Master Bath and Walk-in Closet

Separate closed-off foyer entrance to bedroom, bath and walk-in closet

Window views out to meadows and valley

Double sliding glass door out to deck

Attractive wainscoting

Large enough for sitting area

Alder hardwood floors

Separate entrance to huge walk-in closet with built-in shelves and storage with window for natural lighting and lots of lights

Master bath with double sinks, over-sized mirrors; great lighting;

Kohler fixtures and basins

Large walk-in Brazilian slate tile shower; 3 shower heads; seamless glass; radiant in-floor heat in shower and floor

Large, separate water closet

Alder hardwood floors

UPPER LEVEL

Office

Large office area overlooking foyer and living/great room

Windows galore at front and back, looking out to meadows and valley

Alder flooring

Guest Bedroom Suite

Oversized bedroom with alcove and window seats on opposite sides allow lots of light to enter

Cathedral ceilings with recessed lighting

Walk-in closet with access panel with steps down to first floor behind

TV cabinets for easy access to electronic wiring

Ceiling fan

Carpet

Ensuite bathroom with pocket door

Tile counters at sink

Recessed lighting and over counter lighting

Oversized soaking tub

Shower with tile seamless glass

Second Guest Bedroom Suite

Oversized bedroom with alcove and window seats on opposite sides allows lots of light to enter

Cathedral ceilings with recessed lighting

Walk-in closet with access to attic craft room

Ceiling fan

Carpet

Separate bathroom with large soaking tub

Pedestal sink

Built-in-wall medicine cabinet behind mirror

Shower with tile and seamless glass

Attic Craft Room

Large finished heated area with great natural lighting and ceiling lights, 2 ceiling fans and 2 skylights

Wood floor

LOWER LEVEL

Library/Family Room

Custom-made wall of built-in Alder bookshelves; wainscoting on back wall of bookcase

Carpet

2 French doors to walk out to lower level brick patio

Recessed lighting

Piano Room/Second Office

Double French doors with paned glass entering in from library/family room

Extra outlets and wired for phone and internet so can also be used as second office

Windows looking to outside meadows

Electronic/Utility Room

Outlets and jacks for all TV, phones, satellite, video distribution throughout house; sound distribution for theater with in-wall wiring. Cat 5 cable throughout all rooms in the house

Home Theater

Built-in 98” drop-down screen

7.1-channel surround sound with in-wall wiring

Built-in ceiling projector

Dark walls and ceiling with wood board and batten accent; good for acoustics

Crown molding

Double entrance from library and/or piano room

2nd Large Craft Area

Great ventilation for a painter or stained glass worker

220 single-phase volts outlets for machinery

Good natural and overhead lighting

Cement floor, dry-wall ceiling and walls

2 large sinks with hot and cold water

Garage

2 ½ car garage – 2 people/2 car entrance with electric openers

2 Weissman boilers

Large water heater hydronically heated

Haque water softener and Haque RO water for kitchen sink

House is wired for generator with a transfer switch

Large sink in garage with hot and cold water

Lots of windows and lights

Tool rack

Double door entry to garage

Pull down stairs for attic

Wildlife and Recreation

Helmet Peak Ranch has an ideal combination of wildlife habitat and privacy. Commonly seen are migrating elk, deer, bobcat, coyote, red tail hawks, eagles, wild turkey and other sporting birds. Occasionally, a black bear or mountain lion may be spotted. Equine enthusiasts will find the ranch to be first-rate riding terrain, with good grass cover. The local area also provides many opportunities for all types of recreation. For downhill skiing, Durango Mountain Resort is a 60-minute drive from the ranch, while Wolf Creek and Silverton Mountain Ski Areas are an hour-and-a-half away and Telluride is 2 hours. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are also available on the ranch and throughout the area. Trail riding possibilities are virtually endless in the area. Summertime is also filled with opportunities in the area for hiking, fishing, boating, golfing and visiting the local Durango to Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Mesa Verde National Park and the Four Corners National Monument. 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 45 miles).