The Lodge at Rivercliffe offering includes a 20% undivided tenant-in-common (TIC) ownership interest in 142.7 acres, and a 2.34 acre fee-simple lot on which the home sits. There are five total interests in the property, each with a 20% TIC ownership. Fishing and land use rights are strictly covenanted to protect the privacy and interests of the owners.
The centerpiece of the property is the North Fork of the South Platte River, which meanders through the property for over 2/3 of a mile. The river itself provides diverse water structures, from gentle meadow riffles to canyon cuts with boulders, rapids, runs, and deep pools. The river basically runs from south to north through the property, where it flows into the Pike National Forest. The National Forest offers many miles of fishing opportunity through public land which is walk-in only and very difficult to access. The nearest public access point is a 5+ mile walk away from the north end of the property, safeguarding the river and surrounding public lands from heavy use.
The land itself is nicely varied with pastoral meadows, the canyon itself with dramatic cliffs and rock walls, and timbered glades with Ponderosa, Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce and Aspens.
The Lodge at Rivercliffe is a short 45-minute drive southwest of metro Denver in Park County. The property lies along County Road 68, about 3.5 miles southeast of Bailey, CO.
Improvements
The Tudor style stone lodge has been expanded, renovated and modernized several times during its long history. Today, the approximately 5,600 square foot lodge, once featured in Country Living Magazine, is comprised of two wings that include six bedrooms and six bathrooms; a massive great room with a huge fireplace and billiards table; a remodeled kitchen and eating area; formal dining room; sitting/TV room with wood stove; enclosed summer patio room with dining area, fireplace, and bar; and a rustic pub room with built-in bar. In the spacious master bedroom, double French doors open to a balcony with a commanding view of the river and cliffs, inviting in the cool mountain air and soothing sounds of the flowing river. The lodge enjoys all the amenities of modern technology, including high-speed Internet access, satellite TV, security system, multiple phone/fax lines, and top-notch heating, ventilation, water and plumbing systems.
History
The Lodge was constructed between 1889 and 1892 as a summer residence for the daughter of a British Industrialist. In 1946 the lodge and property were purchased by well-known Denver radio and TV personality, Pete Smythe. Before his radio fame, Pete lived in the lodge and operated a dude ranch at Rivercliffe along with his wife and two young children. Pete’s colorful exploits during his years at Rivercliffe are chronicled in the 1968 autobiographical book Pete Smythe: Big-City Dropout.