When I first discovered Red Lodge, we drove in from Wyoming, turned west on Highway 308, which after 15 miles gracefully descents on "Bear Creek Hill" into Red Lodge. An unbelievable view opened up in front of us. You can see the Rock Creek Valley as it winds out of the Beartooth Mountains and the whole town of Red Lodge lies right in front of you with its lush vegetation and surrounded by the highest mountain range in Montana. This view alone made us decide to settle in Red Lodge. There are only two homes built on this hillside with that kind of a view: This home and one other one, which I have recently sold. Below this home is a 12 acres property which is landscaped with six fish ponds and waterfalls, beyond that flows Rock Creek at a rapid rate, which you can still hear at the home, especially when it rolls the rocks in its bed.
What the owner likes about this property:
Sense of ...
Sense of living in nature, yet 2-minute car ride from town
Ability to walk, bicycle or ATV back and forth to town
The 270 degree mountain and town views
Access to the Meteetsee Trail for ATV and Dirt -biking
Access to the creek for fishing
Overlooking the lakes and sounds of the waterfalls
Sense of isolation from the road
The house is sunny, open and airy with an "outside-in" feeling
The quality of the house fosters pride of ownership
No need for air conditioning with good thermal mass and cool evening breezes
In-floor heating
Fenced yard for the dogs
Other Amenities
Pad is in and ready for Garage, Guest Quarters, or Barn
Horses are allowed
Sprinkler system handles whole property
Would be relatively simple to add larger deck for great space for outdoor entertainment and relaxation with a view
The property has its own well, pumping 10 GPM, but is connected to the city sewer. So it hardly costs anything to water all the trees and landscaping. We are proud to say, that the home was designed and built by Beartooth Custom Builders, one of the best builders around. They have been in business in the Red Lodge area for the past 20 years. Owner Peder Nees has over 20 years experience in building and designing homes. He has been featured in the Billings Gazette for his building technique in Timberframe construction and in Yellowstone Woman for log home construction. Peder added sky-lights, and high up glass block windows between rooms to let the light flow. He designed a tongue and groove soaring ceiling for the living room with strategically placed sky lights. The wall toward the town is offset to take full advantage of the spectacular views and to protect the deck from the north wind, so you can enjoy watching the sunset over the mountains from there. The master bedroom also has a soaring tongue and groove ceiling with its own deck to enjoy the canyon view into the mountains.
The home used to be in the vacation rental pool with Red Lodge Reservations. There were daybeds in the living room and the house slept nine people. If you are so inclined, the furnishings can be negotiated for a turnkey operation (minus the daybeds though), it would definitely help making the payments on the house, since it rented for $ 450 per night and it was on its way to become a star for holidays and weddings. This is one of the very few homes in Red Lodge which have a private setting on acreage, have stunning views AND one can walk within minutes to the Park on Rock Creek and to restaurants and shops.
Bedroom #3--where you find the office of the current owner, has complete bedroom furniture as in bedroom #2, matching the furniture in the rest of the house. The computer desk and computer will move with the owners. So you would take the house with bedroom #3 set up as a bedroom with the matching bedroom furniture, assuming you are buying it furnished. BTW did we mention that the home has matching furniture that coordinates with the home's woodwork throughout? I would think this might be somewhat unusual, so worth mentioning :-)
The spacious kitchen features a breakfast bar which opens to the view and is part of the Great Room with dining and living area, the hall to the master bedroom, the stairs to the walk-out basement and the entry hall with a nook for your coats and shoes. A rock wall in the living room with a gas fire place adds flair and if you like it cozy, there is a fire place in the master bedroom also. There is a hot tub outside, but if you don't want to go downstairs, the jetted tub in the master bath might be just as much fun. Ghee, they thought of everything!