238 County Road 253 Durango, CO 81301

Durango, Colorado’s Animas River Valley, and what’s lovingly referred to as “the old highway” that meanders through its eastern edge, is where you’ll find the finest legacy estate homes in the region.  The red cliffs of this glacially formed meandering river valley frame one of the most opulent landscapes in all of the West.  The location of this area, just minutes from Durango, adjacent to national forest and minutes from skiing and the high alpine cool climate many seek, is unparalleled.   Even more rare, is the elevated perch of this exceptional residence on County Road 253, just above the old highway on Missionary Ridge Road with access to over a million acres of this nation’s most pristine forest service land, an area Backpacking Magazine has listed in its top ten destinations in the world.  From the driveway of this luxury home, one might access a multitude of adventures into a wilderness area of pristine majesty decorated in high alpine lakes, some of the county’s most beautiful and rugged fourteeners and endless trails and choose-your-own-adventure explorations.  Or for more genteel pursuits, you'll find Dalton Ranch golf club just a few miles away where members indulge in world-class golf, tennis, swimming and dining.  The Glacier Club, the area’s preeminent private golf club, is close by as well, once named one of the top-ten resort courses in the country.  In short, this lovely estate home is at the epicenter of all the adventure Durango has to offer.  Skiing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, fishing, four-wheeling, snowshoeing, golf, tennis, hiking, backpacking, rafting, kayaking and just about any other mountain pursuit you can think of are just outside the door.  Road cyclists in the area would list the valley loop as a top five ride in the region.  Enjoy the elevated views of one of the most beautiful valleys in this part of the world in a surreal panorama not offered from almost any other vantage.  It’s a truly singular experience living here.  Mountain-modern, rustic, and chalet elements are combined in both the main residence and guest house, and the views take center stage among every other design concern.  The current owners have lovingly and recently completed a full-scale remodel of this incredible legacy property.  Every detail of this pre-inspected home has been perfected by a family known for their commitment as practitioners and supporters of the arts.  It even includes a separate studio tucked in behind the home, purpose-built as a marble sculpture workshop, but capable of transforming into many other shop uses with its 220 power, in-floor drain, in floor heat and water utilities.  The fully air-conditioned main house offers 5 bedrooms situated around a great room made even greater with cathedral vaulted ceilings adorned with tongue and groove overlays.  The gourmet kitchen has been fully reimagined, as has the fireplace and both sitting areas adjacent to the great room. Modern touches mix with rustic elements to perfectly accentuate the true magnificence of the outdoors as a major design feature while paying subtle homage to the area’s mining, ranching and mountaineering heritage.  The guest house is just steps away from the main house above a spacious 3-car garage, providing privacy and luxury accommodations for guests with an autonomous level of features and views just as exceptional as that of the main residence.  Note that while this home is in a beautiful rural setting, it has high speed internet connectivity via Starlink with extremely fast 60-100 MB of service. Be sure to ask your real estate professional for a full features list which is attached to the associated documents of this listing.  The scarcity of an estate home with this location, quality of exterior and interior design, and scenic views cannot be overstated if you are seeking an extraordinary primary or second home in Durango.