Interested in buying a cabin in the woods within ~3 hours of Sacramento in the coming years. Looking for info. (Redding: for sale)

[andrew61987]

Hello all,

I've recently been visiting my friend's cabin down in Sequoia National Forest near Bodfish/Lake Isabella. It's way off the grid and not accessible during the winter unless you're willing to hike ~15 miles through snow. There are similar cabins nearby for sale in the $50k-$75k range that I would be very interested in if they weren't so far from my primary home. I would love to find something similar closer to Sacramento to make weekend trips more feasible but I have no idea where to start looking.

The goal would be seclusion in as deep wilderness as possible. The only real utility I would like is some form of water source (doesn't need to be potable). I don't need electricity. Winter access is not necessary. As much access as possible to National Forest lands for recreation is preferred.

Any general advice? Is this feasible? Any ideas where I should start looking/researching?

[NewToCA]

I've been up to a place called Shingletown, about 20-25 miles to the east of Redding. I thought it was pretty neat, though not as remote as you may be seeking.

It took my friend and me about 2 1/2 hours to get to the place, he had a cabin type of home we used for a weekend.

[semispherical]

Georgetown, Greenwood, Garden Valley. Good luck!

[NickB1967]

50Cabins.COM - Specializing in Sales of Private and Resort and Second Homes in Lake Tahoe - Home for cabins along US 50, presumably the more remote from the road the less pricey.

[justducky2]

We've been looking at cabins in the Tahoe area since the downturn. In 08-10, we saw the lowest prices in Tahoe proper at $100k-125k. Now, those bottom of the barrel places are WAY up. You might look way north of Truckee. I've been looking in Alpine County, and other lightly-habited areas and they are even pretty high.

Just remember....in one fire, poof! All gone. We've decided not to buy for that reason.

[caligirlz]

I'd like to find an off-the-grid place with underground access.

[bradlywhite]

The hills and mountains East of Oroville are a good place. Some snow, depending on elevation, and within 3 hours from Sacramento. Contact me if you would like further info.

[cparker13]

From my own experience, don't think about purchasing a cabin. Here's why--no matter how rustic, you pay a high price for insurance, if you can get any, in wilderness. Next, use it or not in winter, the water pipes break if you don't winterize it. Than you are charged triple the cost to paint, fix, plow, re-roof,chimney sweep, find wood, etc. just to stay for a few days. Instead of relaxing weekends in the forest, you work on fixing up the cabin. Rent from someone or the national forest. Let them pay for the maintenance and insurance costs of having property in a fire-dangerous area.

[LisaC.916]

Originally Posted by andrew61987

Hello all,

I've recently been visiting my friend's cabin down in Sequoia National Forest near Bodfish/Lake Isabella. It's way off the grid and not accessible during the winter unless you're willing to hike ~15 miles through snow. There are similar cabins nearby for sale in the $50k-$75k range that I would be very interested in if they weren't so far from my primary home. I would love to find something similar closer to Sacramento to make weekend trips more feasible but I have no idea where to start looking.

The goal would be seclusion in as deep wilderness as possible. The only real utility I would like is some form of water source (doesn't need to be potable). I don't need electricity. Winter access is not necessary. As much access as possible to National Forest lands for recreation is preferred.

Any general advice? Is this feasible? Any ideas where I should start looking/researching?

I spent 25 years in the Pollock Pines area and it is beautiful, I miss it very much. If you want wilderness, look up the HWY 50 corridor traveling east from Sac. Pollock Pines is a straight shot and an hour away from Sac. It snows in the winter. There is Auburn area which is East up HWY 80. I know there are a lot of cabins in the Kyburz area for sale and/or rent. Its about 2/3 of the way to Lake Tahoe from Sacramento. About 1.5hrs from Sac in the Summer and in the winter, sometimes hwy50 closes the hwy right below Kyburz. You should check it out. The town motto for Pollock Pines is "Natures Wonderland" and it is true. Good luck to you.

[cb73]

My parents had a trailer set up outside of Brownsville, off Hwy. 20 and loved it up there. Their place looked down on a beautiful valley and was great.