real estate PATHs CONNeCTING TO THe LANDsCAPe big SKy S WEST FoRK camp The year is 1805. As a scout with the Lewis and Clark expedition, you ve just entered Montana. It s June, so the expedition has to hunt elk and bear in the high country, near timberline. Meriwether Lewis sends you ahead, up a canyon draw to scout a summer camp. After hiking for three hours, you stop to rest in a flat clearing. An aspen grove beside a pond catches your eye. In 195 years, this plot will hold one of the finest estates developed in southwest Montana and one of the first in the Yellowstone Club West Fork Camp. Architect Larry Pearson and current owner Greg LeMond, the three-time Tour de France winner, found this 17.04-acreage off Sandstone Road in 1999. They knew right away it was the club s quintessential property. It had it all flat ground, stunning views, trout ponds and clear water. architect larry pearson designed the west fork camp fire tower, which doubles as a living space, to replicate the forest Service towers used to spot wildfires. more than 100 tons of regional schist ledgestone from harlowton, montana, 150 miles northeast, were used in this and the adjacent guest cabin. photos By Jake campos This was a discovery, says Pearson, who has since designed more than 50 properties at the Y.C. We were pioneers when we found this level meadow in the mountains. [West Fork Camp] is the most unique site at the club. It s livable and intuitive. This is Montana. Below: a birdseye view of the camp looking south-southwest. counterclockwise from left are the vehicle barn, main cabin and trapper s cabin. the 17.04-acre property has three stocked trout ponds. photo By larry pearson 78 Mountain explorebigsky.com
Special Advertising Section We were pioneers when we found this level meadow in the mountains. [West Fork camp] is the most unique site at the club. it s livable and intuitive. Stands of lodgepole pine reach straight and tall and paths connect cabins and trout ponds, drawing you into the landscape. Pioneer Mountain at 9,859 feet rises stolid above the treetops. West Fork Camp, built by Yellowstone Traditions, contains three cabins, two outbuildings and a stone fire tower designed with historic Western wildfire lookouts in mind. Even with vast acreage, the camp has a sense of intimacy. What s most interesting is the experience you get between the structures, Pearson says. It forces you to appreciate nature as you walk between the buildings, and to explore this pristine environment. Paths connect the main cabin, an authentic and refined log home, with the simple, 1800s-style trappers cabin set low to the earth beside the western-most pond. They meander south to a gathering hall designed as a center for family events and finally to the guest cabin, vehicle barn and fire tower. Pearson designed the guest cabin using two historic log structures from Ted Turner s Flying D Ranch. A historic architectural style known as a dogtrot, links the cabins with a continuous roofline. The fire tower doubles as another living space, with three bunk beds and a downstairs above: the main cabin s living room, seen from the kitchen. the hand-stacked fireplace was built with the same native schist as the fire tower and guest cabin. right: this stable-style door and handforged handle access the fire tower s lower suite. the wrap-around deck upstairs offers show-stopping views of 9,859-foot pioneer mountain. photos By Jake campos bedroom; its wrap-around deck providing unobstructed views of Pioneer. The structures are all comprised of local and regional stone and reclaimed lumber, their designs simple, traditional and exceptional. Pearson s pioneering designs are evident everywhere on the property. Approaching the main cabin, the details lead your eye up the dry-stack native schist on the near northwest corner, and across the custom milled logwork. A hand-forged, wrought iron rat-tail lever on the front door exemplifies traditional craftsmanship from the most skilled artisans in Montana, Pearson says. Stepping into the main cabin is like seeing an old friend, he says. A handstacked stone fireplace stands in the explorebigsky.com Mountain 79
real estate WesT FOrk CAmP stats Big Sky, montana 17 acres 4 cabins 2 barns 3 ponds with fish room to build main gathering lodge access to private club the trapper s cabin, beneath its traditional low-angle roof, peers out over a trout pond in west fork camp. the main cabin looks on from the northwest. center, and the rest of the 1,800 heated-square-foot building seems to grow around it. Hand-hewn wood and wrought iron accents lend character and warmth. Pearson s design allows one to be a part of West Fork Camp, and part of Montana. It immerses observers in the landscape. From the trapper s cabin tucked into the hillside to strolling the paths between the structures and along the ponds, one is connected to the estate. We interpreted the past and created a new paradigm with the West Fork Camp, Pearson says. There s a sense that you re participating in something bigger. Editor s note: As of May 2013, West Fork Camp was listed for sale through L&K Realty in Big Sky. For more information visit lkrealestate.com or call (406) 995-2404. View a video of West Fork Camp at explorebigsky.com/westforkcamp Discover why over 17 million homeowners trust State Farm. Brad W Daws Insurance Agcy Inc Brad Daws, Agent www.braddaws.net Toll Free: 800-865-2622 Bus: 406-586-HOME Bus: 406-995-3079 With your new home comes new responsibilities like protecting your new investment with the right amount of homeowners insurance. That s where I can help. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. CALL ME TODAY. 0907507.1 State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL 80 Mountain explorebigsky.com
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explorebigsky.com EXploRING life, land and CulTuRE FRoM THE HEaRT of THE yellowstone REGIoN Free skiing alaska escape: bali montana hot springs guide explorebigsky.com Mountain 1 P E A R S O N D E S I G N G R O U P ARCHITECTURE INTERIOR DESIGN WWW.PEARSONDESIGNGROUP.COM P: 406.587.1997 MEDIA MARKETING VIDEO PRODUCTION MOUNTAIN OUTLAW (BIANNUAL) BIG SKY WEEKLY (BIWEEKLY) EXPLOREBIGSKY.COM (DAILY) GRAPHIC DESIGN Mountain WINTER 2013 STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CONSULTING photo by paul o Connor WEB DEVELOPMENT grizzly attack brian schweitzer speaks out featured outlaw: michael reynolds yellowstone // cutthroat on the rebound PUBLIC RELATIONS AND AGENCY SERVICES EVENT PLANNING AND PRODUCTION LET US HELP YOU TAKE YOUR BRAND TO THE WORLD. Contact: media@theoutlawpartners.com, 406.995.2055 theoutlawpartners.com explorebigsky.com Mountain 117