PrintWyoming Shangri-La
Hidden paradise. Idyllic Utopia. That’s what Shangri-La means, and that’s exactly what Lennie Sorenson meant when she named her Wyoming cabin Shangri-La. On a private hilltop outside of Jackson Hole, Sorenson’s 18.9-acre property bordering the Targhee National Forest is everything the wilderness-loving person — the kind who loves amenities as much as the sight of moose cavorting in a waterfall and pond on the front lawn — could need or want. And it’s for sale.
Why would a fly-fishing, horseback-riding, game-hunting overachiever want to sell this perfectly private parcel and give up the cushy cabin with the million-dollar view, the just-what-the-doctor-ordered trail riding right out the door, and the easy access to trophy trout at the confluence of the Salt, Snake, and Greys Rivers? When you own five places in Wyoming and Hawaii, and you’re running Paniolo Records, fielding acting gigs, and still flying planes when the mood strikes, there comes a day when you need to simplify.
“I’m at a point in my life that I’d like to spend more time traveling and visiting my friends around the world,” Sorenson says. “I’ve been fortunate to have had a very eclectic and active life — I’m thinking of writing a book at my Colony Surf oceanfront condo at the base of Diamond Head in Hawaii.”
Sorenson, a record-setting career pilot who clearly has a book in her, admits it’s going to be hard to part with her Shangri-La. But she’ll still keep at least one place in Wyoming and one in Hawaii, so, as painful choices go, it’s not the end of her very impressive world.
The Location
This is the authentic Wyoming experience with big-city amenities nearby. Mountains and wide-open spaces, valleys and vistas, streams and lakes, summer wildflowers and fall colors, clear skies and starry nights (no light pollution!). Famous homeowners in the surrounding foothills. Great restaurants and a gourmet coffee shop within walking, ATV, and horseback distance. Full-service medical, dental, vet, and equine. In short, the ideal Western life made simple.
The cabin is located only minutes away from a semiprivate airport for quick in-and-out trips. Jackson Hole is just a 30-mile drive on an excellent year-round paved highway. The acreage includes a private hilltop and is situated near the Palisades Reservoir, where you can boat in the spring, summer, and fall. Adjacent to the Targhee National Forest —1,643,501 acres [more than 3 million with sister forest Caribou]— the property opens onto the park, with riding, hiking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and even dog sledding right out the front door.
The Cabin
Sorenson doesn’t do anything halfway. Not her career as a commercial pilot, not her marriage to the late songwriter Ed Cobb (“Tainted Love” and “Dirty Water”). And not the recent remodel of the three-bedroom cabin. Constructed of large hand-peeled logs, the cabin sits on a level, landscaped grassy lawn with westerly views over the valley and reservoir below. In the foreground, a stone patio with barbecue and fire pit are the site of leisurely morning coffee, relaxing afternoon reading, and memorable evening campfire singalongs with friends and guitars. To the south, a waterfall tumbles into a small pond — a favorite summertime attraction for area moose. Numerous wildflower gardens surround the property with the makings of alpine bouquets.
Inside, Sorenson didn’t cut corners either. A two-story river-rock fireplace soars to vaulted ceilings in the great room, where large windows look onto lovely views and invite in natural light. Famous singers, songwriters, painters, and CEOs craving privacy have holed up here for the inspiration and relaxation of both the interior space and outside majesty.
The Lifestyle
Land a seaplane at the Palisades Reservoir and start exploring the area. At the reservoir: water skiing, ice fishing, sailing, wakeboarding. On the Snake River: whitewater rafting, fishing, kayaking. In the Greys River area: snowmobiling (one of the top four areas in the country) and dog sledding (the annual International Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race). Hike with your dog. Strap on your cross-country skis. Hit the ATV trails. Ride and bushwhack. Hunt sage grouse, deer, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep. Overnight in the pristine wilderness. Or just sit back with a great book, turning pages and relishing in the privacy and serenity.
The Details
Forced-air heat, granite countertops, and hardwood floors are additional amenities in the custom main cabin. A brand-new 12-inch-thick cold roof and heated copper gutters ensure energy efficiency and snow control. A 100-gallon-a-minute well means there’s no shortage on water supply, and an underground sprinkler system keeps everything green and growing. The three-building enclave includes a detached three-stall heated log garage; above the garage, there’s a finished loft with a gas fireplace and bathroom. There’s also a 2,400-square-foot barn with an extra-tall middle door so you can store your toys or board horses. The acreage can be subdivided into 2-acre parcels or kept intact as a private recreational retreat.
Sounds like Shangri-La.
The Contact
To inquire about the property, contact Carol Linton, Sotheby’s International Realty, at (tel) 877.739.8159, (cell) 307.699.1139, (fax) 307.733.0511, or (e-mail) Carol.Linton@SothebysHomes.com.
Visit www.wyomingshangrila.com for more information.
