This ground-floor studio apartment opens onto wooded grounds and lawn, below the towering Goat Wall, in Mazama at the base of the North Cascades Mountains. Attached to the separately rented Big House rental, with its own, separate entrance.
Please read this--yes, rather lengthy--listing description as it should answer most questions that arise. Please also read the house rules, welcome guide and other areas of the property listing.
Just a short drive from miles of mountain biking, hiking and Nordic ski trails. You can also ski and hike out your door! North Cascades National Park is ~40 minutes drive and can be accessed by Highway 20 in the summer.
Near the wonderful Mazama store with its local ambiance and delicious food that is popular with locals and visitors alike. Also very close to the Methow Valley trail system for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and hiking. There is also rock climbing in the area and a popular spot for this just down the road towards Mazama Store.
The Studio at Mazama Retreat has a queen bed and queen sleeper sofa, full bath and kitchen with coffee maker, full refrigerator, baking dishes, cutlery, dishes and blender; and a multi-function counter top convection oven and double burner countertop infrared stove. There is a seating area, smart TV and small dining table. Outdoor table and charcoal grill adjacent to the studio's entrance (not available in the winter).
There is also an attached large home with its own, separate entrance, which you can rent if you have more than 4 people, or want complete privacy. This "Big House" sleeps 13. The property is 5 acres and the lawn areas are very large. Be aware that though most people are quiet and respectful, it is human nature for humans to get excited, laugh...the house is not soundproofed.
Relax in the evenings on the garden benches, enjoying the views, or take a stroll on the trail running along the back of the property. In the winter, a MVSTA trail crosses the driveway, a groomed cross-country ski trail that joins over 100km of other groomed trails in the 2nd-largest cross-country ski trail system in the country. For those who prefer snowmobiling, the Yellow Jacket Snow Park is just a few miles up the road. A mom and pop downhill ski area is about 45 minutes away between Twisp and Omak.
The delightful Mazama Store is ~1.5 miles away on Lost River Road, with its local ambiance and delicious food that is popular with locals and visitors alike. Mazama Retreat at Goat Wall View is close to the extensive Methow Valley trail system for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and hiking. (As mentioned, the ski trail crosses the driveway in the winter.) There is also rock climbing in the area and a popular spot for this just down the road ~1/2 miles towards Mazama Store. Fly-fishing and swimming holes with clear, cool water are a few minutes away.
If you want to truly unwind and be somewhere it’s much easier to unplug and do snuggle-up indoor stuff like board games and puzzles or cooking together, or relaxing out of doors with a glass of wine or craft beer on a huge rock or at a picnic table on the lawn while you listen to the gentle breeze and the echo of ravens, an eagle soaring high up next to Goat wall and other birdsong, then this is your place. Plus you’ve got a national forest and little used trail right out the back gate and the cross country ski trail crossing the driveway in the winter, connecting to 200km of trail in the valley. Some folks' idea of heaven on earth.
Be aware that the photos are not 100% accurate, as things are frequently being moved around, redecorated, replaced etc. but they are still a good indication of the overall look-and-feel.
Please set your expectations accordingly to its rural nature (wi-fi is not what you find in urban areas for sure) and lack of labor force in the small population to contract for upgrades and other projects. Things move slowly here. If you require an immediate response (though I do my best to get back to you within a couple of hours), updated styling all around and smokin’ wi-fi, then this just might not be the best fit for you. This is a comfy place that wraps you in its arms and makes you feel at home. Fancy it is not. OK, you've been warned : )
Guest Access:
Ample parking. There is no public transportation here. You will need a vehicle or bike. Trails abound in the area. Lots of residents and visitors enjoy walking up to Mazama Store.
Other Things To Note:
**Winter Guests**
As a reminder, please expect winter weather and driving conditions. Snowplowing with the plowing services in these parts does not occur unless there is at least 6 inches of new snow. Please be prepared for winter driving and the possibility of getting stuck--including the driveway--even if you do have a car with snow tires and all-wheel drive and/or chains. Winter driving experience is recommended. Adventure! The outdoor grill and outdoor furniture adjacent to the studio entrance are not available in the winter due to snowload and snowplow access.
***The wifi/internet*** is consistently inconsistent :) in this area and the WIFI SIGNAL AND SPEED ARE NEITHER RELIABLY FAST NOR STRONG.
If you need strong and consistently reliable internet then Mazama may not be the best option for you (though it could be a chance to finally unplug...) Though it isn't common, there are times when the internet is not functioning at all if there is a storm etc (like most any place). Most of the time there is decent internet from which you can do Zoom meetings without a problem, but it isn't a sure bet.
Also, CELL PHONE RECEPTION IS NOT RELIABLE OR STRONG EITHER. Verizon gets one to a couple of bars generally at the property, AT&T has been not so great.
You can often, but not always, get pretty good cell phone signal from some of the major carriers up the road next to the Mazama store. This is not guaranteed. One of the rare places you can drive to and have the opportunity to really unplug, kick back, not-do, and relax without being as easily reached. They'll survive back home... That being said, you can generally get cell reception at the store.
For many visitors and residents, it's part of the beauty and benefit of the area to have less distraction/temptation to be wired in. It hasn't been an issue for most people--just want to let folks know to expect that the internet may not be rockin' out here i.e. you may not be able to reliably binge watch episodes on Netflix.
***GARBAGE & BEARS***
We are in bear country and they will explore unsecured garbage. All garbage that leaves the house, unless you are taking it with you off property, must be placed in one of the garbage cans in the garage. Do not place garbage anywhere else outside. The bears will get into anything else and it is not good for them or for visitors. Please help to respect and protect the bears' well-being.
*DRIVEWAY: please leave the driveway that runs in front of and past the house open for the passage of vehicles and especially the snow plow in the winter.
Quiet hours are 9 pm to 8 am. No parties or similar noise levels allowed.
Check-out time is 10 a.m. firm. Departures beyond 10 a.m. may incur a late check out fee.
*Please note our cancellation policy* Consider taking out travel insurance to protect you in case of any cancellation. Please do not expect us to be your insurance policy. We do not provide exceptions for and are not responsible for natural disasters which might affect your stay such as fires, smoke, floods, etc. As such, we do not refund your stay outside of the cancellation period guidelines (please read this section of the VRBO listing) if you decide to cancel due to an “act of God”, unless an official evacuation notice has been issued or all routes to the area are closed and guests are literally unable to come – which is a very rare occurrence. We also cannot provide exceptions for work conflicts conflicts, flight delays or cancellations, etc. Again, please consider purchasing travel insurance and understand that we are a very small business. If you still decide to cancel and did not elect to purchase travel insurance and part of the dates of your stay become rebooked we can refund that portion of your stay.
Thank you for your cooperation.
