The perfect writer's retreat, equestrian paradise with corral adjacent to house, photographer's delight, astronomer's night skies!
This house, referred to as Mammoth Lakes Ranch for it's location identification, lies in the high Desert of California's Eastern Sierra, a land of hot springs, majestic vistas and wild flora and fauna still unspoiled by creeping urbanization. The house at the historic Dutch Pete's Ranch was completed in 2010 and is found on California State Route 120 at Benton Crossing Road from Mammoth Lakes area. The buildings are on the site where the Owens Valley stagecoaches stopped in the mid-1800's, a place their drivers came to rest and buy food for horses and passengers from Dutch Pete. In the 1950's over 3000 head of cattle roamed this valley. Today, the ranch hosts about 75 head of cattle, all that remain in the Adobe Valley.
The striking, well-engineered buildings rest on coarse alluvial sand, at an altitude of 6,500 feet; the two-story, 1,300 square foot home and utility buildings are at the southern end of the Adobe Valley. This 'green' ranch is off-grid, with no city electricity or telephone. Pristine water comes from aquifers beneath the desert floor. The large open upstairs bedroom has one king-size bed and one full-size pullout sleeping futon, with a full bathroom. The main entry level living room has two supple sleeping couches and a half bathroom, adjacent to expansive dining and kitchen area. The internet is available by satellite link, but cell phones will not ring. Light and heat are provided by solar engineering supplemented with LP gas. Basic amenities include: silent, clean hydronic heating, a computer with wireless internet access and surfing by smartphone, vented gas range, washer, dryer, dishwasher, trash compactor, espresso machine, outdoor gas BBQ, microwave, TV and satellite radio. The counter tops are granite and the floor is tiger wood.
Pets are welcome to stay in the mudroom or outside (not inside).
For the adventurous ones, an outdoor shower is available out back for cleaning and cooling off from a rigorous hike or ride.
Outside, the house, pasture and working corral stand across from sloping granitic rocks which frame Mount Montgomery and Boundary Peak, at 13,340 feet, the tallest peak in Nevada. The night sky is perfect for serious astronomy with an observing platform with electricity or simply stargazing. Astronomy is fabulous because the altitude and desert climate promote clear skies and there are no obstructions and the nearest city lights are about 40 miles away. At evening, cool curtains of night air open to reveal bright star fields that highlight the long arch of a bright Milky Way.
There are numerous dirt trails covering literally hundreds of miles that connect the 160 acre property to the high desert. Trails for mountain bikes and off-road vehicles are seemingly everywhere leading to adventures in the outland with breathtaking and expansive vistas. Hiking and horse riding is spectacular on the property and area surrounded by the beauty of in the White mountains and Sierra Nevada range. Fly fishing streams are less than an hour away.
The house at Dutch Pete's Ranch is just a short walk south of aptly named Black Lake which is mysterious and truly black in spring but white in late summer as the desert sun evaporates the water to reveal salt deposits. Black Lake's alkaline waters nurture microbial life including bright purple bacteria. There are larval treats for migrating birds. It has a border of lush salt grass; this aquatic pasture is visited by a herd of wild mustangs. In spring and summer range cattle, birds and birdwatchers are in harmony with the tranquility.
Visitors will find serenity in this high desert oasis. The nearest towns are Mammoth Lakes, 40-50 minutes to the southwest, Bishop 50 minutes south, June Lake and Lee Vining, each about 60 minutes drive to the northwest, Tioga Pass of Yosemite National Park just 20 minutes beyond. Death Valley and Las Vegas are four to six hours away, respectively. The Mammoth Lakes Airport is about ten minutes closer than Mammoth Lakes. The ghost town of Benton Hot Springs, really a historic and active settlement of 13 persons and its sister-ville Benton, population 400, are 5 and 10 minutes South. Lunch, dinner, drinks, basic groceries, gasoline and pay phone can be purchased at Benton Station, in Benton, six miles to the south.
Benton Hot Springs has a Bed and Breakfast unique in California and the world! Visit the website
Dry, hot sun, brisk mornings, spectacular evenings with occasional strong afternoon winds are the principal weather descriptors. Snow accumulation is light, and melts when the sun shines. Nights in winter can be cold.
On the website we refer to it as Mammoth Lakes Ranch because it is close to this world class resort town.
Keywords: Mammoth, Benton, Hot Springs, Ranch, contemporary, solar, off-grid, views architecture, horse, corral, astronomy, writer, views, rural, solitude, fly fishing, birdwatching, petroglyphs
