Journal 38: Pinehaven, The Realities Behind the Beauty

Life in Pinehaven is as picturesque as it sounds with towering pines, crisp mountain air, and the kind of quiet you can feel in your bones. The magic lies in things like the scent of fresh pine after a summer rain, the hush that falls over the forest when snow drapes the trees, and the stars spill across the night sky in dazzling clarity. But like any mountain town, Pinehaven has its own rhythm that’s shaped by elevation, weather, wildlife, and the realities of living off the beaten path. These aren’t “downsides” so much as they are part of the quirks that give the community its character and keep life interesting. 

For those willing to adapt, they become part of the charm. Behind Pinehaven’s beauty lies ten realities that give this mountain community its character.

1. Long, Snowy Winters

At over 8,000 feet, Pinehaven gets heavy snow and late spring storms. Driveways can be buried overnight, and snow often lingers long after La Veta has green grass. In fact, the upper Cuchara Valley sometimes accumulates extraordinary snow totals (about 300 inches in one season was reported in 2010.(1) Pinehaven’s roads are dirt and gravel, a perfect fit for the community’s rustic charm, until winter storms or spring thaws turn them into slick, stubborn obstacles. Steep grades and narrow gravel stretches make four-wheel drive, snow tires, and a good set of chains less of an option and more of a survival kit. The HOA coordinates plowing and grading of the major roads, but even with regular upkeep, travel can slow to a crawl. Some cabin owners simply skip winter visits, waiting until the snow retreats. We personally love the winters in Pinehaven and have not had a problem accessing the cabin with our large SUV. If you're curious what Highway 12 looks like the local utility company maintains an online webcam at  https://www.cuchara.org/weather-camera 

2. Limited Year-Round Services

The nearest grocery store, hardware store, or medical clinic is in La Veta or Walsenburg. In winter, a “quick errand” is a 40–60 minute round trip if the roads are clear. After some time, one learns a few things like...

• Stock up. Keep a well-organized pantry and freezer so you can go a few weeks between major grocery runs, especially in winter.
• Hardware stash.  Store commonly used supplies like extra screws, nails, weatherstripping, and wood sealant so you can tackle repairs without driving to town.
• Medical access.  Keep a well-stocked first aid kit, know the locations and hours of the nearest clinics, and have a plan for urgent care if roads are closed.
• Combine errands. Make lists and plan trips to save time, fuel, and wear on your vehicle.
• Order in bulk. When possible, purchase bulk orders of essentials like pet food, toiletries, propane, nonperishables, ice melt, and batteries.

3. Power, Internet, and Cellular Outages

Electrical lines run through heavily forested terrain, so winter storms or high winds can knock out electricity by toppling trees onto wires. Residents often keep wood heat, generators, or propane heaters as backup. In addition, cellular reception in the Pinehaven valley is, at best, unreliable due to the surrounding mountains. The steep terrain blocks and scatters signals, leaving most areas with little or no coverage. In certain spots, you might catch a faint signal, but consistent service is rare without assistance. Many residents rely on booster antennas to improve connectivity, yet even these cannot guarantee steady reception. As a result, mobile phone use in Pinehaven often requires planning around known “signal pockets” or simply accepting that service may drop without warning.

4. Steep, Icy Roads

Pinehaven’s private roads and Raspberry Mountain’s grades can get slick fast, especially going up or down the steep grade of the main entrance. Four-wheel drive is more than a convenience, in some seasons depending on where your cabin is, it’s a necessity. If the ice melts during the day and then freezes at night, just getting out of your driveway can be difficult, depending on the grade. A few ways to prepare for this are …

• All-terrain tires. Use quality tires rated for severe snow and ice and keep a set of chains in the vehicle just in case. 
• Use the weather window. Time trips in and out for midday when roads are most likely to be thawed.
• “No-go” days. Keep supplies on hand so you can wait out hazardous road conditions instead of risking the drive.
• Sandbags. Keep a couple of bags of sand in your trunk. The extra weight will help you get better traction and give you something gritty to spread under your tires if you get stuck. 

5. Wildlife Visitors

There is a ton of wildlife in Pinehaven. All kinds of fur-bearers, winged bird life, and rodents in Raspberry Mountain.(2) Black bears, elk, bobcats, and even the occasional mountain lion probably present the most danger to residents and their pets. Here are a few general safety precautions to live peacefully with our wild friends. 

• Secure all food sources. Keep trash in bear-proof containers or locked inside until pickup or disposal. Bring bird feeders inside during bear season (spring through fall) and avoid leaving pet food outdoors.
• Supervise pets at all times. Keep dogs on a leash and cats indoors, especially at dawn and dusk when predators like black bear, mountain lions and bobcats are most active.
• Maintain a wildlife-safe exterior. Trim shrubs and trees near the cabin to reduce hiding spots for predators. Clean and store grills, compost, and livestock feed securely.
• Be alert and carry deterrents.  When walking or hiking in wooded areas, make noise to avoid surprising animals. Carry a whistle, air horn, or bear spray as a deterrent in case of close encounters.
• Keep emergency numbers handy. Save these in your phone: Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) wildlife emergency line 719-227-5200 (24/7), La Veta Fire Protection District 719-742-3656, and 911 for urgent or dangerous wildlife situations.

6. High Wildfire Risk

With dense evergreens and historic drought patterns, Pinehaven is in a high fire danger zone. Defensible space, evacuation planning, and knowledge of the limited-access fire road are essential. Wildfire preparedness starts at home. Make sure you're staying on top of fire mitigation on your own property by clearing flammable materials, trimming vegetation, and maintaining defensible space reduces the likelihood of a home igniting and limits ember spread.(3) The Pinehaven HOA hires a hauling contractor twice a year, at the end of June and again in September, to remove small branches and pine needles. Homeowners should place this debris in a single pile near the edge of their property along the roadside for pickup. 

• Pinehaven’s biannual clean-up days
• Fire Road: Life Saving Take-aways
• Pinehaven’s limited-access road. 

7. Layers of Isolation

Life in a remote cabin can feel like something out of a dream with quiet mornings wrapped in mist, endless skies, and a deep, unshakable connection to the land. But that dream comes with its own reality check: isolation, in more than one form. The most obvious is geographic isolation. Pinehaven sits deep in the mountains, far from the conveniences most people take for granted. There are no nearby gas stations, grocery aisles, or urgent care clinics, and certainly none of the endless options you’d find in a suburb or city. Weather-related isolation is another reality. Heavy snowstorms or spring’s muddy thaw can cut off access for days at a time. When that happens, being well-stocked with food, water, and emergency supplies isn’t optional, it’s survival. Then there’s seasonal isolation. In winter, Pinehaven’s population shrinks to just a handful of hardy residents, a stark contrast to the lively, neighborly atmosphere of summer. The hush can be peaceful… or lonely, depending on the day. Finally, there’s emotional isolation. With no nearby schools, jobs, or community centers, social opportunities can be scarce, especially in the off-season. This is one reason families with children rarely make Pinehaven a year-round home. In the end, thriving here means more than loving the scenery. It’s about preparing, both practically and emotionally, for the weather, the seasonal ebb and flow, and the solitude that come with mountain life.

8. Infrastructure Realities

Pinehaven stands apart from many mountain cabin communities by offering a full suite of modern conveniences. Residents enjoy the reliability of the San Isabel Electric grid, municipal water and sewer through the Cucharas Sanitation & Water District, high-speed fiber optic internet from Jade Communication, and county-provided road, public works, and safety services. Still, mountain living comes with its own realities. Severe weather, wildfires, high winds, heavy snow, ice, mechanical breakdowns, or even short-staffed crews can occasionally disrupt or delay the restoration of these services. The most common hiccup is a brief power outage caused by downed lines, a small interruption with big consequences, since most cabins rely on electric baseboard heating. Without power, pipes can freeze, water can cause damage, and indoor temperatures can quickly drop to unsafe levels.

That’s why seasoned residents keep a plan in place. Propane heaters, wood stoves, or portable generators can keep the chill at bay. Battery-powered lighting, surge protectors, and insulated pipe wraps help safeguard cabins during short outages. In some occasions an emergency strategy, such as draining water lines or temporarily relocating, ensures both people and property stay protected during prolonged disruptions.

9. Maintenance Workload

The hot summer sun beating on cabin decks and siding, combined with the extreme winter temperature swings, can take a real toll on Pinehaven homes. Add in snow shoveling, tree thinning for fire safety, and the constant upkeep of roofs, decks, and driveways, and you’ll quickly see that even a “low maintenance” cabin demands steady care. If you’re handy, much of this work can be done yourself. If not, you’ll need to track down dependable, skilled contractors, a task that’s easier said than done in the area. Some overstate their abilities, others are unreliable, and many are only available during the summer and early fall. We’ve learned the hard way that not every “handy man” is truly handy. Save yourself time and frustration by leaning on trusted sources like fellow cabin owners, the two local Facebook groups, and the knowledgeable staff at Walsenburg Lumber.

• La Veta-Cuchara Community Facebook Page.  
• Cuchara Colorado Property Owners and Friends Facebook Page. 
• Walsenburg Lumber, 403 West 7th. Street Walsenburg, CO 81089. Phone: (719) 738-3700 

Owning a cabin here is rewarding, but it’s not a spectator sport.

10. Higher Cost of Living

Living in the forest offers a serene, almost magical connection to nature, but it comes at a price. Nearly everything costs more than in suburban or urban areas. Groceries, gas, building supplies, and insurance all carry higher price tags. In addition, the added factors of remoteness, altitude, and wildfire insurance requirements further increase expenses.

In our first year, we winterized the cabin and shut it down during the colder months. But after experiencing the quiet beauty of a Pinehaven winter, we now keep the cabin “online” by setting the heat to 50 degrees and shutting off the water main when we’re away. This approach isn’t cheap as electrical heating alone can run between $250 to $350 per month in the winter. But, it prevents frozen pipes, protects appliances, electronics, and furniture, and allows for spontaneous winter visits.

Another helpful way to keep peace of mind in the winter is by installing a house shut-off valve outside your cabin.  A house shut-off valve is a homeowner-controlled valve that stops the flow of water into the cabin without having to access the utility company’s water main. This valve is installed on your property deep in the ground where the water line enters the cabin. A long pole with a valve key at the end of it is then placed in a pipe to turn the valve on or off.  Many Pinehaven owners use it for peace of mind, shutting off water completely when they’re away. This simple step can prevent costly surprises, such as leaks, burst pipes, or even wildlife-related damage, from allowing water to run undetected for days or weeks.

When it comes to maintenance tasks you can’t handle yourself, be prepared for higher costs. Most qualified service providers come from either Alamosa or Pueblo and often charge travel fees and require you to wait to schedule until they know they will be in the Cuchara area. While both cities are about the same distance from Pinehaven, we’ve found that contractors from Alamosa are generally more willing to schedule and make the trip than those from Pueblo. Living here may cost more, but for us, the rewards of forest life are worth every penny.

A Challenge to Cherish

Life in Pinehaven asks for adaptability, preparedness, and a hands-on approach. But, it gives back in ways no city ever could. The challenges become part of the story, each one deepening your connection to the land and the community. For those who embrace both the beauty and the realities, Pinehaven offers a mountain life that is as rewarding as it is unforgettable.(4)

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Footnotes

Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.

1. Carol Dunn, “Cucharas Water Board Refers Briggs Letter to Attorney,” The World Journal, April 23, 2010, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/cucharas-water-board-refers-briggs-letter-to-attorney/#:~:text=Northup%20told%20the%20Board%20that,inches%20of%20snow%20this%20season.  

2. Gene & Rhonda Roncone, “Journal 31: Wild Neighbors: Living Close to Nature in Pinehaven,” Cabin in the Pines: History and Happenings of Pinehaven, May 1, 2023, accessed August 11, 2025, https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2023/05/journal-25-wild-side-of-pinehaven.html 

3. Colorado State Forest Service. Protect Your Home & Property from Wildfire. Accessed July 19, 2025. https://csfs.colostate.edu/wildfire-mitigation/protect-your-home-property-from-wildfire/. 

4. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. The narrative, analysis, and historical interpretations are the author’s own, and responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the author. The blog’s research methodology statement is available at:

https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2019/03/methodology-sources-and-use-of-research.html