Hosted by Robert & Phyllis L.
A domicile can be 'one's official place of residence.' Our "Dome-i-cile" is more exciting: a comfortably furnished, 20ft diameter geodesic dome built into the the hillside beneath a 100ft cliff, and overlooking the La Plata River. Our "Dome-i-cile" is situated on a patented mining claim named 'Bay City Lode:' 10.33 acres of rugged rock cliffs, talus slopes, steep inclines, aspen forests and large ponderosa pines; a secluded private property completely surrounded by the San Juan National Forest, 5 miles north of US Hwy 160, 11.5 miles west of Durango. Access involves a moderately steep but short 1/10 mile offroad entrance drive from the well-graded County road. An AWD auto or 4WD SUV or pickup is best-suited for this entrance. But, you can also park half-way up or at the base of the hill and walk in.
What you get when staying at the "Dome-i-cile:" comfortable secluded off-grid camping, without the need for major camping gear (not even a sleeping bag!) in a rugged area, remote but easy to reach, that provides backdoor access to a huge expanse of public lands in the San Juan National Forest for high elevation hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, mountaineering, bushwhacking, stream fishing, nature studies, exploration of old mines and mills, etc. For those who like motorized activities, lots of opportunities for ATV’ng, off-road motorcycling or 4 wheeling.
What you don't get at the "Dome-i-cile:" other people, TV, telephone, internet or WiFi; and cell phone service is very limited. Llimited 120 volt power and 12 volt power & lighting is provided via solar PV system & battery storage. Limited potable water. No services other than those available at the small store and gas station in the community of Hesperus, approx. 6 miles away (back on CR 124 to US Hyw.160, then 0.4 mile east).
The orginal mining claim for Bay City Lode was filed in 1879, providing the claimants with ownership of the mineral rights on public property. This allowed hard rock mineral mining, primarily for silver, but also copper, lead, zink, and other metal with industrial value. In 1884, the U.S. government issued a land patent for the 10.33 acre claim, which meant the surface rights to the mining claim were given to the claimants, as well as the mineral rights. Thus the 10.33 acres became privately-owned real estate, the title to which could be transferred to others.
This acreage has been owned by several persons or groups through the years, and was actively mined through the 1930s, when the Great Depression destroyed its economic value. The most recent efforts to lease the mineral rights occurred in the late 1970s. It has been recreational property since early 2000s.