Whisky Jack lodge

Barn-Inspired Pike National Forest Lodge

Occupying a wooded lot of mature pines in the Pike National Forest southwest of Denver, this contemporary mountain lodge was inspired by Colorado’s traditional agricultural building clusters. It is spread across three pine-clad acres in Park County, offering absolute privacy. Plus, it's an easy drive to Breckenridge Ski area.

The home’s generous barn-like volumes have sleep spaces for 10 guests, with three bedrooms (one king, two queens), and two queen sleeping lofts accessed from the secondary bedrooms. The queen bedrooms, with their open mezzanine-styled lofts, are ideal for families. There are four bathrooms, and the kitchen is equipped with two dishwashers and two ovens.

Interiors are sleekly modern, yet cozy, with polished concrete and blond oak accents, plenty of chalet-styled banks of windows, and bathrooms clad in marble. The outdoor spaces allow guests to soak in the majestic mountain scenery from six deck spaces and a sandstone picnic/cocktail station. The hot tub holds six and there are two outdoor gas grills for cooking.

Around

Set on three acres in Park County, Colorado, the lodge is a 40-minute drive to Breckenridge, Colorado, and less than a mile from the trails at Jefferson Campgrounds. The latter offers hiking and mountain biking trails from the intermediate to the extreme. The Continental Divide extends nearby, a scenic wild range of mountains, deep forests, aching chasms, and a rugged through trail that can be hiked in sections. Both fly fishing and lake fishing options are close by, making it easy to drop a line. The South Platte River’s tributaries cross the area, offering dozens of spots to grab trout. Moose, elk, and bear are the area’s residents, and wildlife watching is made easy from one of the lodge’s half dozen decks.

Mountain bikers can hit the trail from the property, as the Colorado Trail passes right by the front door. And the MTB Project lists nearly a dozen recommended routes in the area. Nearby Fairplay, Colorado (15 miles), is Park County’s County Seat and presents 14 buildings dating from the late 1800s. America’s highest incorporated town, Alma, is nearby, famed for its altitude and its general store chock full of Western clothes, trinkets, and toys. Skiers, boarders and winter sports lovers can make an easy 40-minute drive to Breckenridge Ski Resort, five peaks spanning nearly 3,000 acres with an authentic mining town as its base.

Location

Jefferson, Park County, Colorado, US.

Nearest airport: Denver, two hours

Best time to visit

Year round, depending on activity