If you want privacy, serenity, a private natural swimming pond, and an awe-inspiring view of a glacier, then you will feel right at home at this log house in the picturesque Squamish River valley. The Squamish River valley is off the beaten path between Vancouver and Whistler, with only about one hour to Vancouver and 45 minutes to Whistler. The valley is a broad, sunny oasis of lush cottonwood and alders in the flat valley bottom surrounded by steep slopes covered by ancient cedar, hemlock and fir. The mountains precipitously rise over 8000 feet to culminate in snow and ice-clad peaks of the Tantalus Range.
The cabin is nestled on a high terrace on five private tree covered acres. Depending on the season you arrive at the log house you will encounter a plethora of colorful ornamental trees, flowering magnolias, roses, lavenders, Japanese maples in beautiful oranges and reds, Persian perogias, beeches and many other tree species. The large surround deck features a pergola in which you can hoist a hammock and swing yourself to sleep in the lull of a nearby waterfall.
In 2013 we built a natural swimming pond and regeneration pond. This technology that has been developed in Europe uses natural filtration in which water is circulated through a volcanic filter substrate and then pumped back into the swimming pond via a 2 m high waterfall. Both ponds are surrounded by some 200 water plants which provide further water quality improvements. There are no chemicals in the water and it thus feels like swimming in a mountain lake. It also requires a minimum of maintenance.
The log house has 3 bedrooms total, an upstairs loft and two downstairs with two bathrooms. There is a wood burning sauna in its own separate log cabin. Unlike many log homes, this one has been designed to let a maximum of light filter into the cozy wood interior with 4 skylights, large picture windows and oversized tilt and turn windows in all four directions. You can heat the house with baseboard heaters, or better yet, by lighting a fire in an Austrian style ornamental tile fireplace. In 2012 we installed a floor heating system. Water is heated in the fireplace heat exchanger. Once a critical temperature is reached, the water is pumped underground through insulated Pex pipes. When you have the fireplace roaring, you'll eventually hear a creaking and that means toasty toes. (Update: Due to insurance restrictions, no woodburning fires are allowed on the property including the wood fire stove inside)
The cabin is child-friendly though children will have to be supervised when playing outside because of bears (black bears), and cougars (never seen one but they exist), plus there are large boulders that have about a two story drop.
As of March 2013 there is a 12 m x 5 m fenced-in unheated natural swimming pool (no chemicals). A small play cabin is located in front of the house for 1-5 year olds. The tree house in the images has been converted into a Bee House and houses our bee hives. The treehouse has become somewhat unsafe, and the bees needed a warm and dry place to live. The small playhouse is still available for small kids to play in.
Besides simply relaxing you have the entire spectrum outdoor activities at your feet. You can hike to a beautiful waterfall, some 8 km up valley, swim in Alice Lake while gazing at the Mount Garibaldi volcano. A 20 minute drive will bring you to the Squamish Chief, Canada's foremost rock climbing Mecca, or you can kite surf in Howe Sound known for its never ending winds. You can ride your mountain bike on the vast trail system that Squamish has to offer from beginner to extreme. A 40 minute drive will bring you to Callaghan valley, the cross-country and biathlon centre for Whistler. Another 10 minutes will bring you to the foot of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, where you can enjoy skiing from November until June. If you prefer canoeing, you can start right in Pillchuck Creek which borders the property and paddle a romantic creek to the broad meandering Squamish River that winds its way through untouched wilderness towards the ocean. Or go wild water rafting or kayaking on the wild Ashlu and Elaho Rivers. For anglers, the Squamish and Mamquam Rivers are famous for their salmon runs, with hundreds of bald eagles amassing in the fall to get their share of the protein.
A fifteen minute drive will get you to Brackendale where you can buy groceries or enjoy a hearty meal in a restaurant. Whatever your hearts delight, you will be sure to find it here.
Keywords: Lodge, Wilderness Resort, Finca, Casa De Campana, Blockhaus, Blockhuette, Cabin
