Scottish Lakes High Camp for Sale

One of Washington's iconic backcountry retreats is for sale. Scottish Lakes High Camp, snuggled up near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness about 17 miles west of Leavenworth, is on the market for the first time in nearly 20 years. It includes 20 acres of property, a day lodge and 9 cabins, as well as vehicles and other amenities.

Because this place is so unique -- there is nothing comparable in the state -- and because the welcoming atmosphere is incredibly important to maintain, the owner, Chris Hanson, is "dedicated to take the time to find the right buyers for this incredible destination and community." It takes a lot of work to run the High Camp, and since her husband's passing, Hanson has decided that selling the property is the right thing to do.

Over the course of their ownership, the Hanson family has built and renovated several cabins, expanded the lodge, built and maintained extensive new backcountry hiking, ski and snowshoe trails and much more. But what has made High Camp such a wonderful place was the care and hospitality that guests enjoyed from their hosts during their stays. Hanson wants to make sure that the new owners will carry on the special spirit that the High Camp is known for.

If you haven't been to Scottish Lakes High Camp, you've been missing something. As Jeff Layton of the Seattle Times put it in a Christmas Day feature last year, there "is a feeling of genuine mountain living, far from civilization, where guests break from their urban malaise with days of choose-your-own-adventure skiing, and nights huddled around a woodstove."

In the winter the area around High Camp becomes a playground for cross-country skiers, snowshoers and sledders; in the summer it offers a shortcut to hike into a series of sweet, remote alpine lakes as well as ample mountain biking opportunities; and in the fall, the area is one of the best places in the state to view the golden larches. Vehicle access is restricted to High Camp, so visitors are likely only to see their cabin neighbors.

Details of what is for sale is on the Scottish Lakes High Camp website, but we thought we'd show you a few photos. Maybe ownership of a backcountry lodge is in your future?

Images of Scottish Lakes High Camp. Left: one of the 9 cabins; middle: the day lodge in winter; right: interior of one of the cabins. Photos courtesy of Scottish Lakes High Camp.