Alpenglow Cabin

Rocky Mountain Alpenglow

This cabin rental in Colorado along one of the world's top scenic drives is an ideal escape for those hearty, adventurous souls that embrace the call of the wild and meet nature on its own terms. The burnished glow that appears at the mountain summits at sunset and sunrise, the alpenglow phenomenon elicits that cozy feeling you get curled up by the fire after a day of drinking in the brisk high altitudes of nature and adventure. Hence this cabin's name.

A true wilderness experience, you'll share the mountains with their natural inhabitants of bears, mountain lions, elk and moose, bighorn sheep and foxes in addition to the seasonal and migratory critters, with the welcoming comforts of a thoughtfully designed retreat to nestle in to.

The stylishly composed renovations amp up the design quotient while still highlighting the already spectacular natural beauty and heart-stopping views. The cabin is equipped with Starlink satellite internet and there's an artisan and local farm shop nearby (Tenderfoot Farm Market) with eggs, meat, jams, and salsas, etc. from the owners' 6th-generation, local farm.

Featured in Dwell, Travel + Leisure, Apartment Living, Lonely Planet, and more, this cabin rental in Colorado is immersed within vast expanses of national forest just minutes from the largest glacial lakes among the state's epic natural beauty. Set at the base of Independence Pass, on the Twin Lakes side, it's along one of the world's top scenic drives. 

Designed in the classic Alpine style, the home is both rustic and refined with an open-concept space and vaulted ceilings with wide-plank hardwood floors and that distinctive Hygge sense of comfort. There's a fully equipped kitchen with a handmade white oak dining table, comfy seating around the HearthStone wood-burning stove, and cathedral windows that perfectly frame the spectacular views of La Plata, the fifth highest peak in the Rockies.

The ensuite master bedroom is on the main floor with two additional bedrooms upstairs (note that the upstairs bedroom with full bed is rather small), and there are two luxurious, vintage-inspired bathrooms with spa amenities.

The wraparound deck includes a hot tub with dining and lounge spaces for relaxing and soaking in the views. The cabin is surrounded on all sides by rugged mountains, so there are hundreds of miles of trails and gorgeous wildflower hikes, with rushing rivers in summer and magical snowscapes in winter. A true nature lover's paradise.

Around

As the highest county in the Rocky Mountains, Lake County offers some of Colorado's most spectacular sites and endless options for hiking, back-country skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, rafting, rock-climbing, and mountain biking. It's on the shores of one of the largest glacial lakes in Colorado and absolutely stunning in summer and fall.

La Plata Mountain trailhead is less than a five-minute drive and Mt. Elbert, Colorado's highest peak, and the Colorado Trail is just down the road. The twin lakes trails around Interlaken, a fascinating abandoned Victorian-era resort from the 1800s are nearby but only accessible by boat or hike.

Independence Pass closes in early November through late May with up to 140 inches of snow per year (check cotrip for status), creating “the prettiest dead-end road in Colorado," and blissful seclusion. Open dates typically fall on Memorial Day through the first week in November.

The Twin Lakes village is ten minutes from the cabin where you'll find the Inn & Saloon restaurant that's been open since the 1800s and the General Store where you can get the basics. There are also a couple of food trucks (wood-fired pizza, BBQ, coffee/burritos) that roll through, an art gallery, and boat rentals and hiking services. The village mostly shuts down during the winter, although the Inn & Saloon restaurant stays open on weekends.

Both Leadville and Buena Vista are within a half-hour's drive and the glittering Aspen is just forty minutes north (Note that in winter when the pass is closed—early November to late May—there is no access to Aspen from the house side of the pass). 

It's two hours southwest of Denver.

Location

Twin Lakes, Colorado. Nearest airport: Denver International (144 miles) 

Best time to visit

Each season offers nature lovers something special.