Ultimate Escape
by Chérie L. Turner
At the end of a long dusty trail, Lost Trail Lodge appears like a magical vision in the woods. It is the creation of David Robertson; he built all of it by hand, studs to ceiling. A Tahoe City local—he grew up adjacent the Gatekeeper's Cabin—Robertson was the long-time owner of Tahoe Park Water Company prior to getting into the hospitality business. Roughly eight years ago, he closed up another remote lodging venture in Montana to move back to the Tahoe area and create this mountain getaway.
"I snowshoed in about 25 years ago," says Robertson about the location, "and thought it would be a nice spot."
Directions to this remote paradise are as follows: go to end of Donner Pass Road and look for the green mailbox on the right hand side of the road. Inside you'll find a map that directs you roughly 4.5 miles down a dirt road, past fish-filled ponds and, depending on the time of the season, up riverbeds. During the winter, guests snowshoe, ski or ride a snowcat in. During spring and summer months, you stop your car a half mile from your destination and then hike along a fire road that was once inhabited by thousands of wagon trains, past what had been the railroad-side community of Stanford, until you hit a clearing where you see, like an oasis, a large wooden cabin. You'll know that you've gotten to the right spot when you're greeted by Opie, a gentle 127-pound snow-white Pyrenees. Hosts Robertson and Kelly Bentson won't be far behind.
Lost Trail Lodge is completely off the grid. The only utility piped in from outside is cell service via an antenna. Electricity is generated by solar panels, a pico hydro-electric plant and a diesel-powered generator; heat comes via wood and propane. Robertson is weaning off all fossil fuels, replacing diesel with more solar panels and propane with water panels. The entire operation should be self-sustaining within the next three years.
The lodge is one building that encompasses a large common area, a group-sized kitchen and dining room, and five individual rooms—most of which feature an oversized Jacuzzi tub. Rooms accommodate two to six people. It is not uncommon for one group to rent out the entire lodge; weddings, birthday parties and all-girl get-togethers happen often.
The interior of Lost Trail can be best described as rustic historical, all logs, masonry and decorated to the gills with a fascinating array mountain-life artifacts. And then there are the musical instruments—a piano, bongos, tambourines, among others—and games, from myriad board games to marbles to fiddle sticks. Yes, there are TVs on premises, "but they're seldom ever on," says Robertson. "There are too many other things to do." Soon there will also be a sweat lodge on premises.
In the evening, Robertson and Bentson make an easy duet, accompanied by piano, guitar and/or stand-up bass with guests encouraged to join in. Poker games, poetry readings or an evening of oral history may also be on tap. Days at Lost Trail are an opportunity to quiet your thoughts, read, spend time with loved ones or take off on innumerable outdoor activities.