$599,900

Description

Set among towering ponderosa pines in a gated Creekside enclave, this fully furnished mountain lodge sits just a short stroll from the shores of Rainbow Lake. Handsome cedar siding, timber-beam gables, and natural stone give it true White Mountains character - and inside, a two-story wall of windows and soaring knotty-pine ceilings flood the Great Room with light. Turnkey and move-in ready, it is one of the largest homes in the community and the ultimate lock-and-leave escape: just bring your suitcase. Whether you picture lazy lake mornings or lively evenings by the fire, this is the mountain retreat you have been waiting for. Inside, the open-concept Great Room is anchored by a floor-to-ceiling stone gas fireplace and framed by walls of glass that pull the forest indoors. Rich hardwood floors and warm knotty-alder woodwork carry the lodge feeling throughout. The kitchen is made for gathering, with granite counters, a raised breakfast bar, pendant lighting, wood cabinetry, and stainless appliances - all flowing effortlessly into the living and dining space. The main-level primary suite is a private haven, complete with its own glass door to a covered deck, a walk-in closet with custom built-ins, and an en-suite bath featuring a tiled walk-in shower and dual vanity. Upstairs, a spacious loft game room steals the show: a full-size pool table beneath a vaulted pine ceiling, a handcrafted log railing overlooking the Great Room below, and French doors opening to a covered balcony in the treetops. Outside, expansive covered decks on two levels invite year-round living - morning coffee among the pines, evenings under the stars, all wrapped in privacy. A paver driveway, manicured lawn, and attached two-car garage complete the picture. Homes this authentic, this spacious, and this close to the water rarely come available. Come see it, fall for it, and make it yours. Just a short walk away, Rainbow Lake is a 116-acre jewel of the White Mountains at nearly 6,700 feet, ringed by ponderosa pines and open sky. Anglers cast for regularly stocked rainbow trout along with bass, catfish, and sunfish, while paddlers slip out by kayak or canoe from the public boat ramp and fishing pier. Mornings begin with mist rising off the water; evenings close with a sunset over the treeline. Beyond the shoreline, the twin towns of Pinetop-Lakeside deliver true four-season mountain living at nearly 7,000 feet. Summers are cool and pine-scented - a welcome escape from the Valley heat - while winters bring snow and skiing at nearby Sunrise Park Resort. In between are miles of the White Mountains Trail System for hiking and biking, golf, local breweries and restaurants, art walks, and small-town festivals all year long. It is a community built for slowing down, getting outside, and enjoying the good life - the perfect backdrop for a weekend escape or a full-time home.