Alder Falls: Olympic Natl Park | Firepit + Fenced Yard | Creek/Lake Access

Highlights:
-- 1 bedroom with California king, 1 queen sleeper sofa, 1 full bath, 500 sq ft. Sleeps 4 comfortably
-- Dog friendly (max 1, any size, no fee)
-- Creek/lake access ¼ mile down primitive wetland trail
-- Easy WDFW drive-in boat/kayak access 1.5 mi away

-- Privacy-fenced backyard with dog igloo
-- Stainless steel commercial-grade propane grill
-- Propane-fueled stone fire pit with shimmering blue fire glass and half-moon stone seating
-- 650 sq ft paver patio with Adirondack chairs and 6-person dining table

-- Living room with 40” smart tv/cable (Sling TV)
-- High thread count cotton linens
-- Fully-stocked kitchen with stainless steel cookware and dishwasher
-- Cooking staples are provided (see below for full list)

-- Modern finishes in a peaceful, wooded setting
-- Gig speed symmetrical fiber internet. Wifi throughout the home
-- In-home washer, dryer, and iron
-- Pack-n-Play and baby dishes / linens for our youngest guests
-- EV charger available for a separate daily fee – inquire upon arrival

-- Check-out is a snap: simply close the blinds, turn off the lights, and lock the door

-- Explore Mason County:
17 mins to Hood Canal
20 mins to High Steel Bridge
30 mins to Lake Cushman
50 mins (33 mi) to the Staircase Entrance of Olympic Nat’l Park
Dog-Friendly Hikes: Mt. Ellinor, Mr. Rose, Mt. Washington (trailheads at Lake Cushman)

Detailed Description:
Tucked into a grove of alder and hemlock, this stylish 500 sq ft home mixes the privacy and calm of a nature retreat with the convenience of modern finishes and thoughtful amenities. Comfortably sleeping up to 4 guests, Alder Falls is perfect for couples, solo travelers, small families, or groups of close friends looking to explore the forests and shorelines of Mason County and the SE slopes of Olympic Nat’l Park.

Inside, the space is bright, clean, and beautifully finished with natural quartzite countertops, wood-look tile flooring, stainless appliances, and an Italian onyx-inspired walk-in shower. The kitchen is fully equipped with place settings for 4, wine and cocktail glasses, an 11-pc stainless-steel cookware set for a pristine cooking experience, and a wide assortment of utensils and bakeware. A dishwasher makes clean-up a snap. Hand appliances include a mixer, blender, coffee maker, espresso maker, coffee grinder, and toaster. We stock several cooking staples, including: 20 common spices, flour, sugar, coffee beans, vegetable and olive oil, cornstarch, baking soda and powder, vanilla extract, saran wrap, and tin foil. Major supermarkets are just a 6-min drive for any last-minute needs. A bistro-style dining table seats 4 and doubles as a workstation for those wishing to work remotely.

The bedroom sports a California king firm mattress with memory foam topper, ample drawer and closet space, and opens to the garden patio. Linens are high thread count cotton for comfort and durability, with robes, plush pillows, and white cotton blankets to help you settle in. A pack-n-play is available for our youngest guests. The ensuite features a heated towel warmer, fluffy white towels, a lighted mirror, and a pull-down sprayer for the sink. The walk-in shower boasts 3 shower heads: standard, rain, and handheld. A privacy-screened window helps open the room and create a spa-like setting.

A small laundry room houses a stacked, full-size HE washer and dryer, iron and board, laundry soaps, and whole-home water filtration. Central heating and air maintain a comfortable temperature year-round. Alternatively, a whole-home fan allows for a quick exchange of air when the temperatures cool in the evening for those who wish to open the windows and enjoy the fragrance of the towering cedars.

The living room is the gathering spot for your group, with a 40" Smart TV with cable programming (Sling TV), sound system, and electric fireplace to provide evening ambiance. A plump queen-sized sofa sleeper provides additional sleeping options for guests. Photographs highlight local hiking destinations. Large windows and French doors open to the dense surrounding wetland forest.

Step through the French doors and onto the 650 sq ft paver patio, ringed with flowering camellias and Lenten rose, with Adirondack chairs and a dining table seating 6. A stainless-steel commercial-grade infrared propane grill (propane provided) allows for summer cookouts. A privacy-fenced side yard with dog igloo offers a safe place for Fido to play when his owners are dining out or tackling hikes too daunting to bring pets.

A trailhead departs the west edge of the patio, entering the forest and quickly intersecting the property-wide trail system. Following the signs beckoning you to the shores of Mill Creek, you will pass through upland wetland buffer consisting of Doug Fir, Grand Fir, Western Red Cedar, Hemlock, Alder, and ferns before plunging into the wetland itself, demarcated by sedge grasses, Oregon Ash, and Red Osier Dogwood. If you pause along the trail, wildlife will begin stirring from their hiding places. Song birds, rabbits, deer, voles – yes. But also river otters, beavers, ducks, owls, and coyotes -- with mountain lions possible and rumors of the occasional black bear across the creek. Our property is the southernmost residential property, abutting hundreds of acres of conservation land surrounding the outlet of Lake Isabella, which gives rise to Mill Creek and supports seasonal salmon runs. The lower stretches of the trail are historic to the property, and if you look carefully you will find remnants of fallen barbed wire fences, an abandoned electrical post from nearly 70 years ago, and a 1960’s sedan, all taken back by the forest and required to remain in the protected wetlands. Permits to elevate the wetland section of the trail into an elevated boardwalk have finally been secured and will eventually lead to creek-side seating where nature can be enjoyed without disturbing the wetland soils.

The trail reaches the shoreline at a small clearing along the 50’ wide creek – at a spot just ¼ mi downstream from the lake. It is permissible to launch kayaks and navigate into the lake by pushing yourself over the beaver dam. There is easier access to the lake 1.5 miles away via a WDFW public boat launch, though the benefit to launching from our shoreline is access to a stretch of the creek and lake filled with Spatterdock Lily and rarely seen by man.

As the sun sets, follow the trail back to the homesite and cross the driveway circle, traverse the path of creeping thyme and flowering crocosmia, and light the 50” stone propane firepit. Rest on the half-moon stone seating and watch the flames dance across the shimmering blue fire glass as our landscape lighting slowly turns off for the night, revealing a star-filled night sky remote from city lights.

Alder Falls offers a comfortable blend of modern convenience and forest privacy for a relaxing Pacific Northwest stay.

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Key Notes:

-- Persons with mobility concerns should note there is a platform deck at each entrance to the home requiring a single step. The home is single story, and the shower is walk-in (with a standard shower curb). Please review the photos for more details.

-- As with any hotel, this home is equipped with exterior security cameras covering all outdoor areas. Cigarette smoke detectors maintain a smoke-free interior. These tools improve the experience for the vast majority of our guests by maintaining good neighbor relations and keeping the home smoke-free: happy neighbors = happy guests = great vacations.

-- Fully licensed through the State and permitted through the County.

-- Level 2 EV Charger (J1772) available from our property manager for an additional fee – please inquire separately or upon arrival

Availability

Location

Shelton, Washington

Amenities

Registration

Registration Number

603297642

Registration Expiration Date

Jun 16, 2023

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