Getaway: Retreat in Fort Bidwell offers 320 acres of secluded nature, wildlife
Imagine having a self-sufficient compound with four cabins, two lakes and 320 acres to call your own. A place where water serves as panes of glass, reflecting the pristine woodland surroundings and azure sky. Where bald eagles soar, deer frolic and trout are waiting to be reeled in. That’s going to be everyday life for the next owner of 1353 Rocky Ridge Road in Fort Bidwell.
“We bought it in 2003 to escape the population explosion of the North Lake Tahoe area,” said current homeowner Jack Bazler. “This special spot was a short drive from our Northstar home and exceeded our desire to find beauty and adventure in a tranquil environment. The gorgeous trees, wildlife and lakes exceeded our expectations.”
Fort Bidwell is tucked in California’s northeastern corner in Modoc County, mere miles from the borders of Oregon and Nevada. A paved airstrip sits roughly 20 miles away, and the nearby town provides a spot to pick up supplies before hunkering down in luxury all your own.
Dive into the water from decks attached to
Details
Address: 1353 Rocky Ridge Road, Fort Bidwell. Price: $1.6 million.
Features: This 320-acre compound in Modoc County includes two private lakes, three Aframe cabins, and a traditional home. The land can be subdivided into two lots and is a short drive from both Oregon and Nevada. Opportunities abound for hunters, anglers, equestrians, and outdoor enthusiasts at this virtually selfsufficient estate. The property is accessible by vehicle, through a dirt runway that is 3 miles from the home, and a paved runway is less than a half-hour away.
lakeside cabins, or shove off in a canoe, kayak or paddleboard. The cabins are peppered throughout the landscape, creating a loosely knit community that’s still very much in its own world.
A freshly crafted shoreline spans part of one lake, while the estate’s barn creates potential for equestrian activities and rais-
ing livestock.
Three A-frame cabins surround the lot’s 5-acre lake, while a traditional home stands beside a smaller body of water. Eighteen people can comfortably lodge at the various cabins as they are currently constructed.
Each of the four cabins — as well as the attached workshop and garage — enjoy essentials like electricity, heat and plumbing.
Steep gambrels beget sharply pitched rooftops for each of the A-frame cabins. A series of connected picture windows in one lakeside cabin creates a wall of glass overlooking the water.
Perched at more than a mile above sea level (5,500 feet, to be exact) the estate is surrounded by a logging forest. Roads once used to haul away lumber now exist as hiking trails winding about the collage of white fir, aspens, ponderosa pines and white fir trees.
In fact, the property still resides in a timber production zone, enabling special tax benefits for the incoming owner.