261 Aspen Dr, Durango, CO 81301

Truly spectacular Colorado mountain retreat on 5.9 acres surrounded by old growth Aspen and Ponderosa Pine trees and just minutes from your wilderness escape in the National Forest. Located approximately 16 miles from historic downtown Durango, Colorado, this beautiful retreat offers 3 bedrooms, a flex room, a spacious bunk or media room, a loft/office area and 3 bathrooms. MAIN LEVEL: As you arrive at the end of the cul-de-sac at the top of the Wilderness Lake Mountain Estates subdivision, you are greeted with a sense of cozy cabin in the woods blended with current cool fixtures and finishes. The kitchen features a granite slab countertop, Knotty Pine cabinetry, stainless appliances and an eat-in kitchen dining area with a spectacular view! A wall of windows facing south brings the colors and textures inside the home…blue skies, golden Aspens and green tall Pines. The dining area flows into the great room living area accented by a corner slate tile gas fireplace and decks off of two sides. Two bedrooms and a bathroom complete this main level of the home. UPPER LEVEL: The entire upper level is a private master suite including a loft with “see-forever” views, vaulted ceilings, additional storage and a luxury 5-piece master bath. WALKOUT BASEMENT: Really a WOW factor in this home…the walkout basement offers a second living area, a giant bunk/media room, a flex room that could be used an office, storage room, a bathroom and a sliding glass door that leads to the backyard fire pit. The walkout basement carpet is brand new and the spaces are complimented by a T & G pine ceiling. Incredible attention to detail with the finishing of the walkout with mine industrial style light fixtures and tasteful furnishings. LOCATION: Situated within the Wilderness Lake Mountain Estates subdivision, this mountain retreat is just minutes from the north end of Lemon Reservoir and the Florida River. Helen's Country Store is about 20 minutes away and the Town of Bayfield is only 40 minutes. The subdivision is bounded to the North and East by U.S. Forest Service lands. Recreation on public lands in the area plays a large role in the community: fishing, boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, hunting, hiking, camping, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and star gazing! According to a report published by the Greater Lemon Reservoir Community Wildfire Protection Plan Committee June 2017, the San Juan Sledders Club grooms several miles of snowmobiling trails during the winter as the area serves as a gateway to the San Juan Mountains where opportunities to enjoy the outdoors abound. The public land stakeholders are the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, the U.S Geological Survey, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the Colorado Division of Water Resources, and the Florida River Water Conservancy District water interests. A little HISTORY OF LEMON DAM AND RESERVOIR: The Florida Water Conservancy District was established in 1948 under Colorado state statutes as a political subdivision for the Florida Watershed with the task of creating water storage for the watershed. Calculations were made for the volume of water needed to irrigate the Florida Mesa agricultural corridor. The District worked with the Bureau of Reclamation to acquire land through land fees from private owners. Lemon Dam was built between 1948 – 1963 and is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation (U.S. Department of the Interior). The Keeper of the Dam resides in the house and manages the equipment barn south of the Dam on CR 243. Water is released from the Reservoir as needed and conveyed in the natural river channel to the heads of the various downstream canals and ditches that divert the flow and distribute the water to project lands. A slice of heaven in the San Juans!