Welcome to your alpine retreat in Twin Lakes - a cozy cabin surrounded by towering peaks & shimmering lakes, perfect for peaceful escapes and outdoor adventure:
- Sleeps 2 | 1 bedroom | 1 bed | 1 bath
- Porch w/ mountain & lake views
- Communal firepit & BBQ grill
- Full kitchen w/ stove, oven & coffee maker
- Starlink WiFi & 43" Smart TV
- Pet-friendly (fee applies) & Pack ’n Play available
We're here for you during your stay but our level of interaction is up to you. We are only a phone call or message away. You will be able to self check-in upon arrival. We are happy to assist via phone or through Airbnb before, during or after your stay.
Once a week, one of our team members will stop by the property to put out the trash cans, replenish our supplies, and/or restock sheets and towels. They will NOT enter the home. They have access to the storage or shed with a code. This day may or may not fall during your stay.
TOWN OF TWIN LAKES & SURROUNDING AREAS
Just outside the cabin you will enjoy stunning views of Mt Elbert - the second-highest peak in the contiguous U.S. as well as of Mt. Hope, another of the tallest peaks in Colorado. You will fall in love with the clear morning lake views and awe-inspiring panoramic perspectives. These gorgeous mountain views create an amazing backdrop for the ever-changing light show, which offers glorious sunrises and mind-blowing sunsets. Occasional passing storms and rainbows add to the magnificent display of nature.
ACTIVITIES & RECREATION
Twin Lakes and Mt. Elbert Forebay are both a quick 5-10 minute drive from here. You'll find various activities to enjoy, including:
• Swimming
• Canoeing (rentals available)
• Kayaking (rentals available)
• Disc golf course in backyard (3 holes)
• Stand-up paddle-boarding (rentals available)
• Lake fishing (try ice fishing in the winter!)
• Hiking/Cross-country skiing/Snowshoeing/Mountain biking. There are endless trails just outside your door for you to enjoy.
• 14ers - Bag your peaks here! Use this as your base camp. The most accessible mountains are:
Elbert, Massive, Huron, La Plata, Missouri, Belford, Oxford, Harvard, Colombia and Yale.
• Stargazing. On clear nights you may see planets, and, of course, myriad stars. View the details of the Milky Way as rarely seen in our world today. Don’t forget to bring your telescope!
• ATVing/4-Wheeling/Snowmobiling. Haul your vehicle up. There’s plenty of space!
• Whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River
• Fly fishing the 100+ miles of Gold Medal trout water on the Arkansas River
• Hunting
• Gold-panning
We are accessible year-round. Our cabin is located on a county road that gets plowed when there's snow; however, we still recommend AWD with good tire tread in the snowy months (generally December to April). Winter driving conditions on the highways leading to the cabin can change rapidly, so check the weather before heading out. Colorado has some specific winter driving laws pertaining to tire requirements.
DRIVING DISTANCES - SKI RESORTS:
• Copper - 50 min
• Ski-Cooper - 40 min
• Monarch - 1 hour 10 min
• Vail - 1 hour 15 min
• Keystone - 1 hour 15 min
• Breckenridge - 1 hour 15 min
DRIVING DISTANCES - TOWN/CITIES:
• Twin Lakes (town) - 8 minutes
• Denver - 2 hours
• Buena Vista - 30 minutes
• Leadville - 25 minutes
• Aspen - 3 hours
• Salida - 1 hour
• Colorado Springs - 2 hours 15 min
Morning light spills across the peaks as Twin Lakes shimmers below, the cool alpine air carrying the scent of pine through your porch. In the quiet of night, stars emerge sharp and countless, with the Milky Way stretching vividly across the sky. From sunrise coffee to evening stargazing, this cabin places you in the rhythm of the mountains.
Sleeping arrangements
Inside, a single bedroom offers a king bed with a memory foam mattress, blackout curtains, and extra pillows and blankets for restful sleep. Room-darkening shades let you linger in bed after sunrise, while a 43" Smart TV and board games invite cozy evenings indoors. A Pack ’n Play/travel crib can be provided for families traveling with little ones.
Kitchen & dining
The kitchen is fully equipped with a stove, oven, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, coffee maker, and cooking basics. Dishes, silverware, wine glasses, and baking sheets are on hand, along with a toaster and kettle. Prepare meals at the dining table or step outside to the BBQ grill, complete with utensils, and enjoy dinner with mountain views.
Outdoor living
A porch overlooks the shimmering lakes and towering 14,000-foot peaks. In the shared outdoor space, settle into seating around the communal firepit, where stories are often exchanged beneath a sky alive with stars. Outdoor furniture provides a simple place to pause and take in the alpine air.
Comforts & connectivity
The cabin offers WiFi through Starlink and reliable 4G service. Essentials such as towels, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and cleaning products are included. Heating, a ceiling fan, and portable fans keep the space comfortable year-round. A smart lock allows smooth self check-in, and safety features such as smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit are in place.
Neighborhood
Just beyond the cabin, the town of Twin Lakes opens to a landscape framed by Mt. Elbert and Mt. Hope. Clear lake mornings give way to dramatic sunsets, with occasional storms and rainbows adding to the alpine theater. Trails wind outward for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and mountain biking. Twin Lakes and Mt. Elbert Forebay are within a short drive for swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. In winter, try ice fishing or snowmobiling, while summer invites whitewater rafting on the Arkansas River and exploration of Gold Medal trout waters. Disc golf is available in the backyard, and stargazing on clear nights reveals planets and the sweep of the Milky Way.
Perfect for
This pet-friendly retreat accommodates up to two guests and welcomes those seeking a quiet base to explore the surrounding wilderness. Whether you’re setting out to summit nearby 14ers, casting a line in mountain waters, or watching the sky deepen to night from the communal firepit, the cabin offers both simplicity and comfort at 9,200 feet.
There is no public transportation that will take you up here. You will need your own vehicle. 4WD is recommended throughout the year and required during winter months due to potential heavy snowfall.
In the patio area, you'll find a dedicated grill space, part of our shared outdoor amenities. Enjoy evenings around the communal firepit, a cozy gathering spot shared among our four cabin properties. Kindly note that the futons in the cabins are designed for seating only and are securely fixed in place. They cannot be converted into beds.
BRINGING ALONG YOUR FURRY FRIEND?
Let us know a little about your dog(s) and we should be able to accommodate with an adjustment to our cleaning fee. $75 cleaning fee per dog, maximum two dogs only. Sorry, no cats permitted.
Events are subject to approval. Please note event fees will apply.
THE WILDLIFE:
There are animals around the premises including many deer, foxes, multiple species of raptors and other birds, armadillos, many rabbits, black bears, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, coyotes and more! You won’t see all of these at the cabin, but if you get out on the trails, you might get lucky...
MOUNTAIN LIVING
1. We are located just shy of 10,000 feet so please drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.
2. Sometimes the wind kicks up to remind us of all the things we cannot control, but it usually settles down again within a few hours. You would be best not to leave belongings outside.
3. Wildlife is somewhat rare but has been known to wander through so please do not leave food outside at night.
4. Be prepared with lots of clothing layers so you can adapt to changing conditions. Mountain storms come and go quickly.
5. 4WD is recommended throughout the year and required during winter months due to potential heavy snowfall.
RESPECT
The Trout Retreat Cabin is located in a remote, tiny mountain town. Twin Lakes is pretty amazing; in fact, our family is a little apprehensive to share it with others. As visitors to the area, please think about your impact on our town and the small surrounding communities. Please respect full-time residents' privacy and solitude. Follow Leave No Trace guidelines when visiting and recreating in the beautiful outdoors, and consider supporting local dining and shopping during your stay.
SMOKING
We like to keep our cabins as fresh as the outside alpine air. If you need to smoke, you'll need to step outside to do so. There will be a $600 fine for any smoking inside the cabins.
FIRE
There is currently a fire ban in place. Violations of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000. Please be careful and check with Lake County for more recent updates.
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Lake County STR License # 2024-016