Known locally as The Mineshaft, this is of Estes' most popular rentals & named by AirBnB as one of the best places in the world to propose (Permit 20-NCD0115)! My freshly updated home sits the flanks of Prospect Mountain & features amazing views and lots of wildlife.
- Hot tub
- Solar home w/ ultra efficient heat & AC
- Fireplace & 65" TV
- 2 King & 1 Queen beds
- Small pond, picnic area
- Loaded kitchen
- Deck with fire pit
1/4 mile from Marys Lake & 4 miles from downtown & the national park
My unit was named in Jan 2024 as one of the top listings in the world (!!!) to propose!
This was then picked up by news outlets all over, including Country Living, Travel and Leisure, and more.
Past reviews have raved:
"... the best I've stayed at."
"... a surreal environment with beautiful artwork and clean cut simplicity in design"
"... a must stay if you are in the area."
"... tons of wildlife right out the back door."
"... pictures can’t truly describe the view from the deck."
"... an incredible value for all it gives. Amazing location and view!"
Real quick -- some house rules:
- No early check in or late checkouts.
- Check in is 4pm or later; check out is 10am or earlier.
- No smoking inside or outside; no outdoor fires; no parties; no pets. 2 cars & 6 guests max.
- Guests start load of dishes & load of towels at checkout (we have negotiated a lower cleaning fee based on this). AWD, snow tires or 4WD highly recommended from October to May (or you may have to walk from the neighborhood snow lot).
- Hot tub open year round.
- There are steps to the house and a spiral staircase leading to the top floor
Onward!
This is a gorgeous, modern home with amazing views of the Rocky Mountains. For six years I rented out just the basement, but I have closed that down and am currently renting the entire main floor and top floor. A huge upgrade!!
I am a photographer by profession and have decorated the walls with my favorite images of the area. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.
Rest is so important after a day hiking around Rocky Mountain National Park, so take take your pick of bedrooms:
- Main floor King with an attached bathroom
- Upstairs King with a shared upstairs bath and amazing views. Watch the sunrise from bed!
- Cozy upstairs Queen with a shared upstairs bath
- Note that upstairs is accessed via a spiral staircase
There is little better in life than sitting in this cozy space (or on the deck!) after a great day in Rocky Mountain National Park, and watching deer and elk graze nearby. If you're lucky you'll spot the neighborhood bobcat, badger, or raccoon family.
This rental is situated a fantastic rural neighborhood on the slopes of Prospect Mountain. The house has unobstructed views because of its elevation. Due to the topography, the house is very isolated and private -- you can't see neighbors and they can't see you.
Recurring comments from guests include the great views, the privacy, the deck, the hot tub, the uncluttered and open space, and the fact that you can watch the sun rise over the mountains from bed if you're so inclined.
You'll be well equipped to do your own cooking while you visit: the kitchen is fully loaded. It features a fridge and freezer, a four burner stove and oven, toaster, pots/pans, dishes and cutlery, water boiler, and more. Please see the amenity list for more details.
The deck is perfect for lounging and enjoying the view and relaxing. It features six Adirondack chairs, a fire pit, BBQ and a picnic table. The deck's railing has a thick piece of wood on top, and guests often use that as a table top and sit on bar stools and watch the sunset and eat dinner. There's a 65" TV atop the moss rock fireplace and speedy WiFi if you want to stream Netflix.
If you want to fish, Marys Lake is 1/4 mile away. There's even a beach for sunbathing. If you like rock climbing, there are boulders from V0 to V10, trad routes from 5.5 to 5.12, and sport routes from 5.7 to 5.13 on Prospect Mountain, all of which are 15-20 minutes by foot from the front door. There's also a great hiking trail that goes up Prospect Mountain (the trailhead is 5 minutes by foot from the house), offering fantastic views of the Continental Divide and Estes Valley. The entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is about 7 minutes via car.
As you can see in the photos, you do need to walk down several flights of steps to get to the unit. Be prepared for this!
Overall, this home is a great base for outdoor lovers who want peace and quiet and want to experience all the wonders of Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains.
- 4pm check in and 10am check out. Early check-ins and late check-outs cannot be accommodated.
- Absolutely no smoking inside or outside the house.
- Guests start dishwasher and load of towels checkout
