Mountainbrooks Ranch Information and Rules
Our family has owned and operated this mountain property since 1948. We consider it very special. We hope that you, our guest, will feel the same way. Please respect and follow these rules to help keep people, wildlife, and property safe. We want to protect this fragile mountain environment, and we especially want your visit to be enjoyable and safe in every way.
Boulder Cabin is the first cabin you come to from the top of the driveway and is marked with a sign "Mountainbrooks Ranch Boulder Cabin" and a letter B near the front door. Aspen Cabin is the second cabin on the driveway and is marked with a sign "Mountainbrooks Ranch Aspen Cabin" and a letter A near the front door.
- No Fires! No Candles! No Fires in the Fireplace! No Fires Outdoors!
The only fires allowed are adult-supervised normal cooking on a stove, in an oven, or in a steel outdoor grill.
Fire is the greatest danger to our property! There is almost always a high fire danger in the mountains during the summer season. Please respect and follow these rules.
No fireworks. No firearms. No candles. No campfires. No bonfires. No fires in the fireplace. Do not burn natural wood or other natural materials for any fires.
Do not dump, bury, or leave ashes of any kind.
- No Smoking Except Outside Away From Dry Vegetation or Doorways
No smoking inside the cabin or near the doorways into the cabin.
If you smoke outside, please take extra care to avoid areas with dry vegetation. Smoking is permitted only outside on dirt or gravel areas like the driveway road or in your car. If you smoke, you must collect the ashes, butts, matches, and any other remains and you must properly dispose of them at a waste collection station.
Do not dump, bury, or leave ashes or any other remains from your smoking.
- No Illegal Substances
Do not bring inside the cabin any substances or items which are illegal to use or possess under federal law or under state law.
- Emergencies - Call 911
For medical emergencies, consider the emergency room about 12 miles north of the property at Estes Park Health (telephone 970-586-2317). For a major hospital, consider the Longmont United Hospital about 31 miles from the property (telephone 303-651-5111). For law enforcement or wild animal emergencies, the Boulder County Sheriff's office can be reached by calling 911 or 303-441-3600.
- No Shooting, No Guns, No Fireworks
Do not use any type of fireworks or explosives anywhere on the property at any time. Do not use any type of guns, firearms, pistols, or rifles (including air rifles, BB guns, or paintball guns) anywhere on the property at any time.
- Mature Adult Guest - No Additional People - No Parties or Events
At least one guest in your group must be an adult at least 25 years of age.
All guests of Mountainbrooks Ranch must be listed in your reservation. No additional people are allowed to stay overnight on the property or use the shower without advance special permission from the owners.
No parties or events are allowed at the property.
- Children Must Be Supervised
Properly supervised infants, toddlers, and children are welcome as guests. Many children have enjoyed visiting Mountainbrooks Ranch over the years. Please note that our old-fashioned cabins are not toddler-proof like a modern parent's home. There are cleaning supplies under the sink, the cabinets and the toilet are not locked, there are normal electrical outlets with extension cords, the TV and the stove are not anchored to the walls, the back porch is several feet high above the downhill side, and there are other ways for unsupervised toddlers to get hurt.
An adult should properly supervise children at all times. Children must not enter the closet with the water heater.
- No Pets Without Special Permission from the Owners
Pets are not allowed without special permission in advance from the owners of the property. Pets must never be allowed to run free outdoors or to interact with wildlife. Even a large dog will not win a fight with a bear! Also, pets are not allowed on trails in the National Park. If you leave your pet alone in the cabin, it must be very well behaved and not cause damage.
- No Trash Left Outside - Waste and Recycling Collection Station
Do not leave trash or recyclables outside! This attracts bears and other wild animals. You may leave one trash bag and one bag of recyclables indoors to be removed by the housekeeper after your visit.
Please keep your recyclables separate from the other garbage. The following categories of items can be recycled: 1) corrugated cardboard and brown paper bags; 2) containers, aluminum cans and clean foil, steel and tin cans, empty aerosol cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and screw-top jars, paper milk or soy cartons and drink boxes; 3) mixed paper, newspaper, magazines and catalogs, office paper and opened mail, paperboard, and phone books.
If you have excess trash or recyclables (or any ashes or other remains from smoking), please take it to the Allenspark Transfer Station. This local waste collection station is on Highway 7 only 2.7 miles south of the property at 14857 Highway 7. The transfer station is traditionally open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day, except that it is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 303-747-2107 to confirm hours of operation. There is no charge for appropriately sorted recyclables and the charge for a bag of trash (including ashes) is usually under $5.
- Snow and Other Slippery Material - Watch Out for Hazards
Guests are responsible for the removal of any snow, ice, pine needles, or other slippery material around the doorways and paths to car, including the parking area.
When walking outside, watch for various man-made and natural hazards. These hazards include wild animals, slippery areas, loose rocks, gopher holes, creeks, steep hills, rusty metal, logs and poles, an old well pipe, old roofing and construction materials (including nails), and a septic system covered with a metal cover. We also recommend that anyone but the most hearty individuals avoid using the outhouse behind Aspen Cabin.
- Do Not Block the Driveway
There is ample parking near each cabin. Do not block the driveway. Leave the driveway open in case trucks, service vehicles, or other guests’ cars need to go all the way to the end to turn around.
- No Vehicles Off Road
Do not operate any vehicles on the property except on the driveway between the highway and the cabins and on the parking areas connected to the driveway. Do not operate any vehicles in our meadow at any time. Vehicles may be operated on the driveway and parking areas only for purposes of coming to and going from the property at any time and for purposes of loading and unloading. Recreational operation of vehicles is not permitted on our property at any time.
- Water Conservation
Under normal circumstances, the well which serves both cabins provides plenty of water for household use. However, over-use of well water wastes electricity by running the well pump and excessive use could damage the well pump or stop the flow of water. Please exercise water conservation to protect our water well.
Do not allow faucets to drip or the toilet to run.
Please make sure the toilet is not running before you leave the cabin each day.
Please take short showers at less than full water volume.
Use as little water as possible when washing dishes.
Never use the toilet as a wastebasket.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Septic Systems (Toilet Paper Only)
The septic systems are small, but adequate for summer use. Be careful not to overload paper in the toilet. Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste. All other disposable products should go in the trash or be collected for recycling.
- Stoves and Appliances for Supervised Cooking Use Only (Not for Heating)
Do not use cooking stoves or ovens for room heating. Please turn off stove/oven when you are not present in the kitchen. The stove/oven in Boulder Cabin is electric. Aspen Cabin has a gas stove/oven with an electric igniter. Take care that the gas is not left on when you are not present (both oven and burners) and that the gas is not on when the burners are not lit. Other cooking appliances such as small electric grills may be used only for cooking and only with adult supervision.
- Outdoor Grills
No fires are allowed outdoors except inside a steel grill made for cooking. Matches or lighters may be used to light a grill—the electric igniters never work. There is a gas grill available for your use. The host cannot guarantee that propane gas will be available for the gas grill. Do not burn charcoal or wood in a gas grill. If you use the gas grill, an adult must supervise it and must fully extinguish it before leaving it unsupervised.
After using the grill, you must clean the grill and properly dispose of all ashes or residue.
Do not dump, bury, or leave ashes of any kind.
- Heaters (Do Not Use on High Setting) and Fans - Turn Off When Not Present
The temperature can be freezing cold at night at 8,500 feet-especially in the spring and fall months. We have blankets, comforters, and oil-filled electric radiator heaters which can be moved wherever they are needed. Do not use the heaters on the highest setting. Using a heater on high will cause the electric circuit-breaker switch to stop the flow of electricity. (Going outside to reset the circuit breaker switch is not fun on a cold night!) Plug the heaters directly into an outlet-do not use an extension cord unless it is a heavy-duty power strip. Never plug heaters into a normal extension cord used for lamps or electronics. Do not use hair dryers or other high-wattage electric appliances at the same time as a heater.
Each cabin also has a portable fan for circulating air in hot weather. Please make sure all heaters and fans are turned off when you are not present. Please check the weather conditions in Allenspark, Colorado before your trip and bring appropriate clothing.
- Electric Service Panels
The electric breaker switch box for Aspen Cabin is on the downhill side of the cabin outside and below the porch room. The electric breaker switch box for Boulder Cabin is outside the smaller bedroom closest to Aspen Cabin.
- Telephone Service with Free Long Distance in the Continental USA
There is no cell phone or mobile data service available in this mountain neighborhood. Please leave the cordless phone systems plugged in with the answering machines off. The landline telephone system is shared by both cabins. Please do not disturb the internet or phone wires on the ground between the cabins.
We have free long distance telephone service to anywhere in the continental United States. Remember to dial 1 + the area code and the number for long distance on a landline! Please do not make international calls or other toll calls from our phones.
- Wireless Internet Service
Free wireless internet service is shared by both cabins. In 2020, we were finally able to get faster internet service in our neighborhood. The internet speed is now fast enough to support multiple video streams from sites like Netflix or YouTube but too many simultaneous users can cause interruptions. But the fastest internet service that is available in our mountain neighborhood is still slower than internet service in a city. The main WiFi router is in the front window of Aspen Cabin. Boulder Cabin has another WiFi router in the living room which is hard-wired to the main router. Please do not disturb the internet or phone wires on the ground between the cabins.
Bring your own computers or other devices to use the internet service.
- No TV Reception
There is no television service or reception at either cabin. However, each cabin has a modern flat-screen TV with an HDMI cable and a DVD (not Blu-ray) player. You are welcome to connect your computer or other video device to the TV. Each TV also has a Chromecast smart TV device so that you can stream your YouTube, Netflix, or other services from your smartphone or computer connected to the same WiFi signal.
- Screen Doors - Please Treat Gently
Please take special care of the screen doors. The odd sizes must be custom made. Please do not allow the screen doors to slam shut.
- Security Cameras
Outdoor security cameras have been placed on the property with a view of the front door and parking area of each cabin. Please do not disturb them. There are no security cameras indoors and the outdoor cameras have no view behind closed doors or curtains inside the cabins.
- Piano in Aspen Cabin - Okay to Play Normally by Hand
There is a player piano in Aspen Cabin. The piano rolls are very delicate, and the door to the pedals is broken. Please do not attempt to operate the player piano (by using the piano rolls) unless you know exactly what you are doing and you have permission from the owners! The player piano mechanism does not work very well. Of course, you are welcome to play the piano normally by hand.
- Do Not Go Under the Cabins - Do Not Change the Property
The spaces under each cabin (including the crawl space under Aspen Cabin and the basement with windows under Boulder Cabin) are not for rent and should not be entered without specific permission from the owners.
Guests must not make any changes in the walls, roof, or other structure of the property.
- High Altitude - Cabins Are at 8,500 Feet Elevation
If you came up from a lower altitude, your body will take time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels here. Everyone will experience shortness of breath when walking fast or going uphill. Our property is at 8,500 feet, and no one that we know has ever had altitude sickness here. Estes Park is about 7,500 feet. The treatment for altitude sickness is to get to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
Most people can go to the highest elevations in the National Park without illness. Problems may occur in very high elevations with or without strenuous activity. This can be true even for young athletic people.
High altitudes can cause symptoms including headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Each person could be affected differently. It is a good idea to pace yourself and to give yourself an acclimation period before doing any strenuous activity. Many people spend time in the mountains and very few have serious altitude problems, such as trouble breathing. If this should occur, go to a lower altitude, (such as Lyons) or if more serious, to a hospital, either Estes Park or Longmont. (See Emergencies above.)
- First Aid - Include Insect Repellent, Ammonia, Sunscreen, and Medical Tape
Your first aid kit should include insect repellent, ammonia (or an ammonia-based product) and antihistamine for insect bites, sunscreen, pain reliever, and perhaps an anti-gas/anti-diarrhea medicine. Ammonia is a good first-aid treatment for insect bites from insects like ants, wasps, or bees-even mosquitoes. Micropore tape is good to put on heels before hiking to prevent blisters-or to soothe blisters if you are too late. (This list is not intended as a complete first aid list.)
- Do Not Drink Stream Water
Do not drink the outdoor stream water. All surface water in the mountains may contain a microscopic parasite called giardia which causes serious intestinal illness. Pets should not drink outdoor stream water either! The tap water in the cabins comes from a deep well and is fine to drink.
- Do Not Feed the Wildlife
There are many squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and birds around the property. There are also sometimes larger animals like deer, elk, moose, coyotes, and bears. There are also mountain lions—but we have never seen one. It is a good idea to bring a pair of binoculars for viewing the wildlife and a camera for capturing their beauty. Please respect the animals. Take your pictures from a distance. Avoid approaching wild animals in any way that changes their behavior or makes them take notice of you.
In the last several years, elk have become more plentiful. Later in the summer, you will see more elk in the meadows as you drive toward Estes Park, so watch out for them, as they often cross the highway.
We have decided that it is best to not put out food for smaller animals to eat since it also attracts predators including coyotes, bears, and extremely rarely, mountain lions. Please do not feed the animals by hand as they may carry various diseases. Please do not leave garbage cans or ice chests outdoors. Even hummingbird feeders attract bears.
It is not legal to feed the birds, chipmunks, or any other animals at the National Park. This rule is for the benefit of everyone: to prevent humans from being bitten by the animals (which may cause disease) and to prevent the animals from becoming dependent on human beings for their food.
We have never seen any poisonous snakes at this altitude or higher, but we have seen harmless garter snakes. We have heard of poisonous snakes at lower altitudes in the canyons which lead towards Lyons.
A bear may come to our property. Sometimes bears will approach cabins to look for food, ice chests, garbage, or hummingbird feeders. Please do not put any food, garbage, or even empty garbage cans outside. Do not place food or garbage outdoors or in your car. Keep small children and pets in sight. A bear once broke into our daughter’s car at night. Bears which cause problems for people are usually relocated or euthanized by the local authorities.
- Visitors and Guests Must Agree to Be Responsible for Injury or Damage
All visitors and guests at Mountainbrooks Ranch must agree that the owners and hosts (and the family, agents, employees, or contractors of the owners and hosts) are not liable for and shall be held harmless for any personal injury or loss or damage to property. The host reserves the right to charge guests for damage, missing items, lost keys, holding over past the departure time, unauthorized people in a guest’s group, and other violations of these rules.
- Arrival and Departure Times
Unless special arrangements are made with the owners in advance, please arrive after 3:00 p.m. and depart before 10:00 a.m. in order to give our housekeeper time to clean and check the cabin.
Before you depart, please follow the Mountainbrooks Ranch Check-out Checklist (which by this reference is included in these rules) in the Red Notebook and posted on the refrigerator.
MOUNTAINBROOKS RANCH CHECK-OUT CHECKLIST
Check-out time: 10:00 a.m.
Kitchen and Bathroom
• Wash and put away the dishes
• Brush the outdoor gas grill if used during your stay
• Leave used towels hanging in the bathroom
Trash and Recyclables
• Do not leave trash or recyclables outside due to bear hazard
Bedrooms and Living Areas
• Leave beds unmade so the housekeeper will know which linens to wash
• Check all the windows to see if they are closed tight and locked
Last Items
• Take all of your belongings: Please check drawers, closets, floors, beds, and refrigerator
• Return convenience keys to the Red Notebook on the coffee table
• Lock all doors
• Leave keys in the lockbox
Finally
• Please call the Owner/Host Mark Batchelder to let him know that you are about to leave the cabin
Thanks. We hope that you had a wonderful time!
- Thanks!
Thank you for reading, respecting, and following these rules. My family and I want your visit to Mountainbrooks Ranch to be enjoyable and safe in every way.
- Mark, Owner/Host
Boulder Cabin is the first cabin you come to from the top of the driveway and is marked with a sign "Mountainbrooks Ranch Boulder Cabin" and a letter B near the front door. Aspen Cabin is the second cabin on the driveway and is marked with a sign "Mountainbrooks Ranch Aspen Cabin" and a letter A near the front door.
- No Fires! No Candles! No Fires in the Fireplace! No Fires Outdoors!
The only fires allowed are adult-supervised normal cooking on a stove, in an oven, or in a steel outdoor grill.
Fire is the greatest danger to our property! There is almost always a high fire danger in the mountains during the summer season. Please respect and follow these rules.
No fireworks. No firearms. No candles. No campfires. No bonfires. No fires in the fireplace. Do not burn natural wood or other natural materials for any fires.
Do not dump, bury, or leave ashes of any kind.
- No Smoking Except Outside Away From Dry Vegetation or Doorways
No smoking inside the cabin or near the doorways into the cabin.
If you smoke outside, please take extra care to avoid areas with dry vegetation. Smoking is permitted only outside on dirt or gravel areas like the driveway road or in your car. If you smoke, you must collect the ashes, butts, matches, and any other remains and you must properly dispose of them at a waste collection station.
Do not dump, bury, or leave ashes or any other remains from your smoking.
- No Illegal Substances
Do not bring inside the cabin any substances or items which are illegal to use or possess under federal law or under state law.
- Emergencies - Call 911
For medical emergencies, consider the emergency room about 12 miles north of the property at Estes Park Health (telephone 970-586-2317). For a major hospital, consider the Longmont United Hospital about 31 miles from the property (telephone 303-651-5111). For law enforcement or wild animal emergencies, the Boulder County Sheriff's office can be reached by calling 911 or 303-441-3600.
- No Shooting, No Guns, No Fireworks
Do not use any type of fireworks or explosives anywhere on the property at any time. Do not use any type of guns, firearms, pistols, or rifles (including air rifles, BB guns, or paintball guns) anywhere on the property at any time.
- Mature Adult Guest - No Additional People - No Parties or Events
At least one guest in your group must be an adult at least 25 years of age.
All guests of Mountainbrooks Ranch must be listed in your reservation. No additional people are allowed to stay overnight on the property or use the shower without advance special permission from the owners.
No parties or events are allowed at the property.
- Children Must Be Supervised
Properly supervised infants, toddlers, and children are welcome as guests. Many children have enjoyed visiting Mountainbrooks Ranch over the years. Please note that our old-fashioned cabins are not toddler-proof like a modern parent's home. There are cleaning supplies under the sink, the cabinets and the toilet are not locked, there are normal electrical outlets with extension cords, the TV and the stove are not anchored to the walls, the back porch is several feet high above the downhill side, and there are other ways for unsupervised toddlers to get hurt.
An adult should properly supervise children at all times. Children must not enter the closet with the water heater.
- No Pets Without Special Permission from the Owners
Pets are not allowed without special permission in advance from the owners of the property. Pets must never be allowed to run free outdoors or to interact with wildlife. Even a large dog will not win a fight with a bear! Also, pets are not allowed on trails in the National Park. If you leave your pet alone in the cabin, it must be very well behaved and not cause damage.
- No Trash Left Outside - Waste and Recycling Collection Station
Do not leave trash or recyclables outside! This attracts bears and other wild animals. You may leave one trash bag and one bag of recyclables indoors to be removed by the housekeeper after your visit.
Please keep your recyclables separate from the other garbage. The following categories of items can be recycled: 1) corrugated cardboard and brown paper bags; 2) containers, aluminum cans and clean foil, steel and tin cans, empty aerosol cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, tubs, jugs and screw-top jars, paper milk or soy cartons and drink boxes; 3) mixed paper, newspaper, magazines and catalogs, office paper and opened mail, paperboard, and phone books.
If you have excess trash or recyclables (or any ashes or other remains from smoking), please take it to the Allenspark Transfer Station. This local waste collection station is on Highway 7 only 2.7 miles south of the property at 14857 Highway 7. The transfer station is traditionally open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. every day, except that it is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call 303-747-2107 to confirm hours of operation. There is no charge for appropriately sorted recyclables and the charge for a bag of trash (including ashes) is usually under $5.
- Snow and Other Slippery Material - Watch Out for Hazards
Guests are responsible for the removal of any snow, ice, pine needles, or other slippery material around the doorways and paths to car, including the parking area.
When walking outside, watch for various man-made and natural hazards. These hazards include wild animals, slippery areas, loose rocks, gopher holes, creeks, steep hills, rusty metal, logs and poles, an old well pipe, old roofing and construction materials (including nails), and a septic system covered with a metal cover. We also recommend that anyone but the most hearty individuals avoid using the outhouse behind Aspen Cabin.
- Do Not Block the Driveway
There is ample parking near each cabin. Do not block the driveway. Leave the driveway open in case trucks, service vehicles, or other guests’ cars need to go all the way to the end to turn around.
- No Vehicles Off Road
Do not operate any vehicles on the property except on the driveway between the highway and the cabins and on the parking areas connected to the driveway. Do not operate any vehicles in our meadow at any time. Vehicles may be operated on the driveway and parking areas only for purposes of coming to and going from the property at any time and for purposes of loading and unloading. Recreational operation of vehicles is not permitted on our property at any time.
- Water Conservation
Under normal circumstances, the well which serves both cabins provides plenty of water for household use. However, over-use of well water wastes electricity by running the well pump and excessive use could damage the well pump or stop the flow of water. Please exercise water conservation to protect our water well.
Do not allow faucets to drip or the toilet to run.
Please make sure the toilet is not running before you leave the cabin each day.
Please take short showers at less than full water volume.
Use as little water as possible when washing dishes.
Never use the toilet as a wastebasket.
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Septic Systems (Toilet Paper Only)
The septic systems are small, but adequate for summer use. Be careful not to overload paper in the toilet. Do not flush anything other than toilet paper and human waste. All other disposable products should go in the trash or be collected for recycling.
- Stoves and Appliances for Supervised Cooking Use Only (Not for Heating)
Do not use cooking stoves or ovens for room heating. Please turn off stove/oven when you are not present in the kitchen. The stove/oven in Boulder Cabin is electric. Aspen Cabin has a gas stove/oven with an electric igniter. Take care that the gas is not left on when you are not present (both oven and burners) and that the gas is not on when the burners are not lit. Other cooking appliances such as small electric grills may be used only for cooking and only with adult supervision.
- Outdoor Grills
No fires are allowed outdoors except inside a steel grill made for cooking. Matches or lighters may be used to light a grill—the electric igniters never work. There is a gas grill available for your use. The host cannot guarantee that propane gas will be available for the gas grill. Do not burn charcoal or wood in a gas grill. If you use the gas grill, an adult must supervise it and must fully extinguish it before leaving it unsupervised.
After using the grill, you must clean the grill and properly dispose of all ashes or residue.
Do not dump, bury, or leave ashes of any kind.
- Heaters (Do Not Use on High Setting) and Fans - Turn Off When Not Present
The temperature can be freezing cold at night at 8,500 feet-especially in the spring and fall months. We have blankets, comforters, and oil-filled electric radiator heaters which can be moved wherever they are needed. Do not use the heaters on the highest setting. Using a heater on high will cause the electric circuit-breaker switch to stop the flow of electricity. (Going outside to reset the circuit breaker switch is not fun on a cold night!) Plug the heaters directly into an outlet-do not use an extension cord unless it is a heavy-duty power strip. Never plug heaters into a normal extension cord used for lamps or electronics. Do not use hair dryers or other high-wattage electric appliances at the same time as a heater.
Each cabin also has a portable fan for circulating air in hot weather. Please make sure all heaters and fans are turned off when you are not present. Please check the weather conditions in Allenspark, Colorado before your trip and bring appropriate clothing.
- Electric Service Panels
The electric breaker switch box for Aspen Cabin is on the downhill side of the cabin outside and below the porch room. The electric breaker switch box for Boulder Cabin is outside the smaller bedroom closest to Aspen Cabin.
- Telephone Service with Free Long Distance in the Continental USA
There is no cell phone or mobile data service available in this mountain neighborhood. Please leave the cordless phone systems plugged in with the answering machines off. The landline telephone system is shared by both cabins. Please do not disturb the internet or phone wires on the ground between the cabins.
We have free long distance telephone service to anywhere in the continental United States. Remember to dial 1 + the area code and the number for long distance on a landline! Please do not make international calls or other toll calls from our phones.
- Wireless Internet Service
Free wireless internet service is shared by both cabins. In 2020, we were finally able to get faster internet service in our neighborhood. The internet speed is now fast enough to support multiple video streams from sites like Netflix or YouTube but too many simultaneous users can cause interruptions. But the fastest internet service that is available in our mountain neighborhood is still slower than internet service in a city. The main WiFi router is in the front window of Aspen Cabin. Boulder Cabin has another WiFi router in the living room which is hard-wired to the main router. Please do not disturb the internet or phone wires on the ground between the cabins.
Bring your own computers or other devices to use the internet service.
- No TV Reception
There is no television service or reception at either cabin. However, each cabin has a modern flat-screen TV with an HDMI cable and a DVD (not Blu-ray) player. You are welcome to connect your computer or other video device to the TV. Each TV also has a Chromecast smart TV device so that you can stream your YouTube, Netflix, or other services from your smartphone or computer connected to the same WiFi signal.
- Screen Doors - Please Treat Gently
Please take special care of the screen doors. The odd sizes must be custom made. Please do not allow the screen doors to slam shut.
- Security Cameras
Outdoor security cameras have been placed on the property with a view of the front door and parking area of each cabin. Please do not disturb them. There are no security cameras indoors and the outdoor cameras have no view behind closed doors or curtains inside the cabins.
- Piano in Aspen Cabin - Okay to Play Normally by Hand
There is a player piano in Aspen Cabin. The piano rolls are very delicate, and the door to the pedals is broken. Please do not attempt to operate the player piano (by using the piano rolls) unless you know exactly what you are doing and you have permission from the owners! The player piano mechanism does not work very well. Of course, you are welcome to play the piano normally by hand.
- Do Not Go Under the Cabins - Do Not Change the Property
The spaces under each cabin (including the crawl space under Aspen Cabin and the basement with windows under Boulder Cabin) are not for rent and should not be entered without specific permission from the owners.
Guests must not make any changes in the walls, roof, or other structure of the property.
- High Altitude - Cabins Are at 8,500 Feet Elevation
If you came up from a lower altitude, your body will take time to adjust to the lower oxygen levels here. Everyone will experience shortness of breath when walking fast or going uphill. Our property is at 8,500 feet, and no one that we know has ever had altitude sickness here. Estes Park is about 7,500 feet. The treatment for altitude sickness is to get to a lower altitude as soon as possible.
Most people can go to the highest elevations in the National Park without illness. Problems may occur in very high elevations with or without strenuous activity. This can be true even for young athletic people.
High altitudes can cause symptoms including headache, nausea, shortness of breath, and rapid heartbeat. Each person could be affected differently. It is a good idea to pace yourself and to give yourself an acclimation period before doing any strenuous activity. Many people spend time in the mountains and very few have serious altitude problems, such as trouble breathing. If this should occur, go to a lower altitude, (such as Lyons) or if more serious, to a hospital, either Estes Park or Longmont. (See Emergencies above.)
- First Aid - Include Insect Repellent, Ammonia, Sunscreen, and Medical Tape
Your first aid kit should include insect repellent, ammonia (or an ammonia-based product) and antihistamine for insect bites, sunscreen, pain reliever, and perhaps an anti-gas/anti-diarrhea medicine. Ammonia is a good first-aid treatment for insect bites from insects like ants, wasps, or bees-even mosquitoes. Micropore tape is good to put on heels before hiking to prevent blisters-or to soothe blisters if you are too late. (This list is not intended as a complete first aid list.)
- Do Not Drink Stream Water
Do not drink the outdoor stream water. All surface water in the mountains may contain a microscopic parasite called giardia which causes serious intestinal illness. Pets should not drink outdoor stream water either! The tap water in the cabins comes from a deep well and is fine to drink.
- Do Not Feed the Wildlife
There are many squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and birds around the property. There are also sometimes larger animals like deer, elk, moose, coyotes, and bears. There are also mountain lions—but we have never seen one. It is a good idea to bring a pair of binoculars for viewing the wildlife and a camera for capturing their beauty. Please respect the animals. Take your pictures from a distance. Avoid approaching wild animals in any way that changes their behavior or makes them take notice of you.
In the last several years, elk have become more plentiful. Later in the summer, you will see more elk in the meadows as you drive toward Estes Park, so watch out for them, as they often cross the highway.
We have decided that it is best to not put out food for smaller animals to eat since it also attracts predators including coyotes, bears, and extremely rarely, mountain lions. Please do not feed the animals by hand as they may carry various diseases. Please do not leave garbage cans or ice chests outdoors. Even hummingbird feeders attract bears.
It is not legal to feed the birds, chipmunks, or any other animals at the National Park. This rule is for the benefit of everyone: to prevent humans from being bitten by the animals (which may cause disease) and to prevent the animals from becoming dependent on human beings for their food.
We have never seen any poisonous snakes at this altitude or higher, but we have seen harmless garter snakes. We have heard of poisonous snakes at lower altitudes in the canyons which lead towards Lyons.
A bear may come to our property. Sometimes bears will approach cabins to look for food, ice chests, garbage, or hummingbird feeders. Please do not put any food, garbage, or even empty garbage cans outside. Do not place food or garbage outdoors or in your car. Keep small children and pets in sight. A bear once broke into our daughter’s car at night. Bears which cause problems for people are usually relocated or euthanized by the local authorities.
- Visitors and Guests Must Agree to Be Responsible for Injury or Damage
All visitors and guests at Mountainbrooks Ranch must agree that the owners and hosts (and the family, agents, employees, or contractors of the owners and hosts) are not liable for and shall be held harmless for any personal injury or loss or damage to property. The host reserves the right to charge guests for damage, missing items, lost keys, holding over past the departure time, unauthorized people in a guest’s group, and other violations of these rules.
- Arrival and Departure Times
Unless special arrangements are made with the owners in advance, please arrive after 3:00 p.m. and depart before 10:00 a.m. in order to give our housekeeper time to clean and check the cabin.
Before you depart, please follow the Mountainbrooks Ranch Check-out Checklist (which by this reference is included in these rules) in the Red Notebook and posted on the refrigerator.
MOUNTAINBROOKS RANCH CHECK-OUT CHECKLIST
Check-out time: 10:00 a.m.
Kitchen and Bathroom
• Wash and put away the dishes
• Brush the outdoor gas grill if used during your stay
• Leave used towels hanging in the bathroom
Trash and Recyclables
• Do not leave trash or recyclables outside due to bear hazard
Bedrooms and Living Areas
• Leave beds unmade so the housekeeper will know which linens to wash
• Check all the windows to see if they are closed tight and locked
Last Items
• Take all of your belongings: Please check drawers, closets, floors, beds, and refrigerator
• Return convenience keys to the Red Notebook on the coffee table
• Lock all doors
• Leave keys in the lockbox
Finally
• Please call the Owner/Host Mark Batchelder to let him know that you are about to leave the cabin
Thanks. We hope that you had a wonderful time!
- Thanks!
Thank you for reading, respecting, and following these rules. My family and I want your visit to Mountainbrooks Ranch to be enjoyable and safe in every way.
- Mark, Owner/Host
