Tall Timber, an eclectic compound nestled in the San Juan National Forest that acts as the site for Soaring Tree Top Adventures, is up for sale after generations of ownership by the Beggrow family.
The compound, which has no public road access and is accessible only via helicopter or private rail car, features 39 bedrooms, 40 bathrooms, 13 half-baths, a pool and hot tub, an old-timey soda and ice cream shop, a vintage-style barber’s shop, and one of the longest zipline courses in the country. The lucky new owner will also be given use of a nearby 10,000 square foot private hangar with an attached one-bedroom, 2½-bathroom apartment.
The 12,000 square foot, $25 million property, located at 475 milepost on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge line, south of Purgatory Resort, got its start as a five-star luxury vacation spot.
The concept was dreamed up by Denny Beggrow, who purchased land in the area in 1969 at only 19 years old. He opened the Tall Timber Resort in 1972, which operated for about 40 years as a posh destination experience for travelers.
The zipline course was added in 2004 under the leadership of Denny’s son, Johnroy, and resort operations were phased out by 2008.
The course has operated commercially from mid-May to mid-October through Soaring Treetop Adventures since the summer of 2004, making Soaring the first zipline course in the U.S. Zipliners access the property by way of the D&SNG train.
Soaring will continue operating through Oct. 10. After that, it is uncertain if the zipline adventure company will continue operating, according to an email statement sent to The Durango Herald on behalf of the Beggrow family.
“It remains to be seen whether a new buyer may be interested in continuing (zipline) operations,” the statement read. “There are no plans to open a separate (Soaring Tree Top Adventures) location. It would be very difficult to replicate such a unique experience in a different environment!”
Jorge Gomez, who is selling the property through Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties, said earlier this month that two parties were interested in the property – one that is “extremely serious” and one that is “very serious” – and that both would intend to operate the site as a business rather than occupying it as a home.
Denny Beggrow died Feb. 29, 2024, from serious injuries suffered from a car accident several months before, which informed the choice to sell, according to the statement from the Beggrow family.
“With the loss of Denny a couple of years ago, the family has decided to reprioritize and retire,” the statement read. “Losing someone that close makes you realize how fragile life is and that makes you think about what you really want from the rest of the time you have here.”
The statement said the Beggrows would like to see the property’s full potential be used once more in a business sense – but that the opportunities are endless for a potential buyer.
“It would be wonderful to see it all come to life again,” the statement read. “Though we could just as easily imagine it being a private, exclusive residence for someone who wants to get away but to continue to have a beautiful backyard to enjoy the solitude of this unique space, filled with sounds of the Animas River and birdsong, and the nighttime views of the Milky Way.”
The family holds deep ties to the property. Denny’s wife, Judy Beggrow, grew up at the Ah! Wilderness guest ranch a mile south of Tall Timber, and would race the train on horseback alongside her siblings, the family told the Herald. She has spent every summer since in the valley, as has Johnroy since he was a year old. Johnroy and Dionne’s daughter, Kiera, has also spent every summer at the property since she was born.
The Beggrow family said they have been proud to serve the community as first responders in the canyon alongside La Plata Search & Rescue and Durango Fire Protection District. They will miss their relationship with the railroad and will fondly remember connections made with Tall Timber guests.
“Selling the family home has not been an easy decision, but we all feel that it is the right decision for us all,” the statement read.
epond@durangoherald.com
A previous version of this story credited photos of the Tall Timber property to Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties. The photo is courtesy of Woods Photography.
