Exclusive Elk Meadows Lodge in S. Colorado Rockies

Enjoy Colorado mountain living at its best! Escape the heat and enjoy the cool and crisp mountain air of the Southern Colorado Rockies. The spectacular Elk Meadows Lodge, with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms easily sleeps 9 persons. The space MUST READ ALL INFO! The main floor offers a large Great Room with high vaulted ceilings, a stunning fireplace and a beautiful rock wall, a dining area, the master suite with a walk-in closet and master bathroom with walk-in shower, a modern kitchen with all appliances, a laundry room and an office with spectacular views of the 14K mountains to the west: Mount Lindsey (14,042), Mount Blanca (14,344) and Little Bear Peak (14,043). The lower level has its own entrance and consists of a large living area with beautiful aspen paneling and rock wall and a wood stove. There are 4 bedrooms, one with a king bed, two with a queen bed and one with a bunk bed (lower queen and upper twin). Additionally, there is a second kitchen with a sink, cooktop and large refrigerator, a full bathroom with double vanity, shower and bathtub, a sauna and a recreation room with exercise equipment. There is a table tennis table in the large room. The Lodge is in Forbes Park, a private, gated neighborhood on 13,000 acres, 12 miles East of Fort Garland and about 90 miles north of Taos, New Mexico. In the winter we get moderate amounts of snow, the temperatures during the daytime are mostly in the 20-30 degree range. We have on average 300 days of sunshine per year. Snow-shoeing or cross-country skiing on undisturbed powder snow right out the door is an experience you will remember forever. Two pairs of cross-country skis (bring your own cross-country ski-shoes) and snowshoes for 3 persons are available for our guests. For downhill skiing the Ski areas of Taos, Monarch and Wolf Creek are about a 120-150 min. drive, so you can be on the slopes at 10:00 am, great for a day or more of skiing or snowboarding. The roads in Forbes Park are plowed in the winter, yet you will need either an AWD or 4WD vehicle and good all-season tires or you’ll have to bring some snow chains for your car to get up some of the hills that will bring you to the Elk Meadows Lodge. For hunters among you, the neighboring San Isabel National Forest is only a 20 min. drive from the Lodge with an abundance of elk and mule deer, bears, mountain lions and turkeys. Forbes Park has lots of wildlife like deer, elk, turkey, coyote, bears, beaver, many bird species and all kinds of smaller animals and there is nearby fishing and hunting. Within a 30-45 min. drive you will find The Sand Dunes National Park with artesian hot spring pools, Lathrop State Park, the Cumbres and Toltec scenic railroad, the Rio Grande scenic railroad and the picturesque towns of Fort Garland (with a Pioneer village and the old Fort where Kit Carson once resided), La Veta (lots of art galleries) and Cuchara (visit the Dog Bar or Timbers restaurant). We invite you to our Mountain Lodge and enjoy the peace and quiet of Forbes Park. Note: In June 2018 the Spring Creek fire went through Forbes Park. Fortunately, the fire did not affect the Elk Meadows Lodge and the trees surrounding the Lodge. Guest access The whole Lodge is available to our guests. Other things to note Surrender: Tenants shall deliver up the premises and furniture and chattels therein contained in as good as state and condition as they were in at the commencement of the term. Damages: Tenants shall be responsible for any damage, theft, or loss occurring to said premises, furniture or chattels located thereon during their occupancy of said premises. Liability: Tenants shall hold the homeowners harmless from and against any liability for accidents, injuries or damage sustained by said tenant, any family member, guest, or invitee of said tenant, while occupying said premises, including the use of the Sauna and Exercise Equipment. We encourage Tenant to purchase traveler insurance. Rental rules: 1. Smoking is allowed outside only. Use an ash tray to dispose of ashes and cigarette buds, never throw them away. We are in a heavily forested area that is prone to fires, in particular in the summer months. Absolutely NO fires if a Red Flag Warning is in effect during the rental period. 2. People other than those in the Tenant party may not stay overnight in the property. Any other person in the property is the sole responsibility of Guest. Guests are not allowed to exceed the occupancy limit agreed to above. 3. The owners of the Elk Meadows Lodge are not responsible and not liable for any accidents, injuries or illness that occurs while on the premises or its facilities. The owners are not responsible for the loss of personal belongings or valuables of the Tenant and guests. By accepting this reservation, it is agreed that all guests are expressly assuming the risk of any harm arising from their use of the premises (including the Sauna and use of exercise equipment) or others whom they invite to use the premises. 4. Keep the property and all furnishings in good order and only use appliances for their intended uses 5. PETS are permitted only with prior approval. 6. Housekeeping: There is no daily housekeeping service. While linens and bath towels are included in the Lodge, daily maid service is not included in the rental rate. We do not permit towels or linens to be taken from the units. 7. Garbage: Any garbage must be stowed in the provided garbage bags. Garbage bags can be disposed of at the garbage dumpster close to the Forbes Park entrance. DO NOT place garbage bags outside (bears and small critters may make a mess of them). 8. Water and Septic: The Lodge is on a well and septic system. The septic system will clog up if improper material is flushed. DO NOT FLUSH anything other than the provided toilet paper. No feminine products should be flushed at any time. If it is found that feminine products have been flushed and clog the septic system, you could be charged with the costs of unclogging the drain lines. 9. Sauna & Exercise Equipment: Follow all posted Sauna safety rules. To reduce the risk of overheating 1. exit immediately if uncomfortable, dizzy or sleepy 2. supervise children at all times 3. check with a doctor before use if pregnant, in poor health or under medical care 4. breathing heated air in conjunction with consumption of alcohol, drugs or medication may cause unconsciousness. Sauna Safety: A dry sauna can be a soothing way to relax or sweat out some stress. Dry saunas are heated rooms that raise the body's temperature, causing you to sweat and relax. But there are certain things you should be aware of before stepping into the sauna in order to keep yourself safe and healthy. Avoid Alcohol and Medication: Consuming too much alcohol or taking certain prescription medications may inhibit your body from producing sweat, which can lead to your body overheating. Avoid consuming alcohol, and check with your doctor about prescription medications you may be taking before you decide to spend any amount of time in a sauna. Disease: Saunas can be dangerous for people suffering from certain chronic diseases as well as people in poor physical condition. Chronic diseases and conditions such as obesity can make it more difficult for the body to regulate its internal temperature, causing the body to overheat and leading to a dangerous increase in core temperature. Talk with your doctor before using a sauna if you suffer from a chronic illness or are in poor physical shape. People with a history of high blood pressure or other heart disease also should be wary before stepping in the sauna, as the high temperatures can cause an accelerated heart rate. Stay Hydrated: Due to the nature of saunas causing you to sweat, it's advisable to drink plenty of water before and after your sauna session. Drink between two and four glasses of water immediately after you leave the sauna in order to replenish your body's water supply and prevent dehydration. Too little water in your body's system can lead to electrolyte imbalance. Limit Time: Don't stay in the sauna for an extended period of time. Being in that heat for too long can cause your body temperature to rise to unsafe levels, so limit your session to 15 minutes at the most. If you begin to feel nauseated, dizzy or otherwise unwell, leave the sauna immediately. These could be signs that your body is overheating, becoming dehydrated or exhausted. Never visit a sauna if you feel sick in any way. Take your time cooling down afterward and avoid going out into the cold air immediately after leaving the sauna, as rapid changes in temperature can be harmful to your body.   Sauna safety rules • Please shower before and after using the sauna. Use the provided towels to sit on while in the sauna. • Children ages five and under are not permitted in the sauna. • Children between the ages of six and 16 must be accompanied by an adult in the sauna at all times. • Pregnant women and persons suffering from heart disease, diabetes, high or low blood pressure, circulatory or respiratory problems, seizures or epilepsy should not enter the sauna without prior medical consultation. • Do not use the sauna while under the influence of any type of alcohol, drugs, anticoagulants, antihistamines, vasoconstrictor, vasodilators, stimulants, hypnotics, narcotics or tranquilizers. • Participants are required to bring a towel to sit on when using the sauna. • Remove all metal jewelry prior to entering the sauna. • The surface of the rocks, heater and surrounding area can be extremely hot. Exercise caution. • Prolonged use of sauna not recommended due to fatiguing effects. Limit yourself to a maximum of 15 minutes. • Leave the sauna immediately if you experience any nausea, dizziness, hot flashes, cold chills, headaches or other discomfort. • Drink plenty of fluids before and after leaving the sauna. • Do not use the sauna to dry clothes, swimsuits or towels or place materials near the heater or guard fence. High Altitude Sickness: The Elk Meadows Lodge is a mountain property at around 9000Ft. altitude. Guests coming from lower altitudes, especially when from sea level, may experience some symptoms because they must adapt to a lower pressure and oxygen environment. Check with your doctor if you are at risk at this altitude.