78 Mountain explorebigsky.com

The year is 1805. As a scout with the Lewis and Clark expedi-tion, you’ve just entered Montana. It’s June, so the expedition has to hunt elk and bear in the high country, near timberline.

Meriwether Lewis sends you ahead, up a canyon draw to scout a summer camp. After hiking for three hours, you stop to rest in a flat clearing. An aspen grove beside a pond catches your eye.

In 195 years, this plot will hold one of the finest estates developed in southwest Montana and one of the first in the Yellowstone Club – West Fork Camp.

Architect Larry Pearson and current owner Greg LeM-ond, the three-time Tour de France winner, found this 17.04-acreage off Sandstone Road in 1999. They knew right away it was the club’s quintessential property. It had it all – flat ground, stunning views, trout ponds and clear water.

“This was a discovery,” says Pearson, who has since designed more than 50 properties at the Y.C. “We were pioneers when we found this level meadow in the mountains. [West Fork Camp] is the most unique site at the club. It’s livable and intui-tive.”

This is Montana.

PATHs CONNeCTING TO THe LANDsCAPebiG SKy’S WEST FoRK caMP

reAL esTATe

architect larry pearson designed the west fork camp fire tower, which doubles as a living space, to replicate the forest Service towers used to spot wildfires. more than 100 tons of regional schist ledgestone from harlowton, montana, 150 miles northeast, were used in this and the adjacent guest cabin. photoS By Jake campoS

Below: a birdseye view of the camp looking south-southwest. counterclockwise from left are the vehicle barn, main cabin and trapper’s cabin. the 17.04-acre property has three stocked trout ponds. photo By larry pearSon

79Mountainexplorebigsky.com

Stands of lodgepole pine reach straight and tall and paths connect cabins and trout ponds, drawing you into the landscape. Pioneer Mountain at 9,859 feet rises stolid above the treetops.

West Fork Camp, built by Yel-lowstone Traditions, contains three cabins, two outbuildings and a stone fire tower designed with historic Western wildfire lookouts in mind. Even with vast acreage, the camp has a sense of intimacy.

“What’s most interesting is the experience you get between the structures,” Pearson says. “It forces you to appreciate nature as you walk between the buildings, and to explore this pristine environment.”

Paths connect the main cabin, an authentic and refined log home, with the simple, 1800s-style trappers cabin set low to the earth beside the western-most pond. They meander south to a gathering hall designed as a center for family events and finally to the guest cabin, vehicle barn and fire tower.

Pearson designed the guest cabin using two historic log structures from Ted Turner’s Flying D Ranch. A historic architectural style known as a “dogtrot,” links the cabins with a continuous roofline. The fire tower doubles as another living space, with three bunk beds and a downstairs

bedroom; its wrap-around deck providing unobstructed views of Pioneer.

The structures are all comprised of local and regional stone and reclaimed lumber, their designs simple, traditional and exceptional.

Pearson’s pioneering designs are evident everywhere on the prop-erty. Approaching the main cabin, the details lead your eye up the

dry-stack native schist on the near northwest corner, and across the custom milled logwork.

A hand-forged, wrought iron “rat-tail” lever on the front door exemplifies traditional crafts-manship from “the most skilled artisans in Montana,” Pearson says.

Stepping into the main cabin is like seeing an old friend, he says. A hand-stacked stone fireplace stands in the

“We were pioneers when we found this level meadow in the mountains. [West Fork camp] is the most unique site at the club. it’s livable and intuitive.”

Special Advertising Section

above: the main cabin’s living room, seen from the kitchen. the hand-stacked fire-place was built with the same native schist as the fire tower and guest cabin.

right: this stable-style door and hand-forged handle access the fire tower’s lower suite. the wrap-around deck upstairs offers show-stopping views of 9,859-foot pioneer mountain. photoS By Jake campoS

80 Mountain explorebigsky.com

WesT FOrk CAmP sTATsBig Sky, montana• 17 acres• 4 cabins• 2 barns• 3 ponds with fish• room to build main gathering lodge• access to private club

center, and the rest of the 1,800 heated-square-foot building seems to grow around it. Hand-hewn wood and wrought iron accents lend character and warmth.

Pearson’s design allows one to be a part of West Fork Camp, and part of Montana. It immerses observers in the landscape. From the trapper’s cabin tucked into the hillside to strolling the paths between the structures and along the ponds, one is connected to the estate.

“We interpreted the past and created a new paradigm with the West Fork Camp,” Pearson says. “There’s a sense that you’re participating in something bigger.”

Editor’s note: As of May 2013, West Fork Camp was listed for sale through L&K Realty in Big Sky. For more information visit lkrealestate.com or call (406) 995-2404.

View a video of West Fork Camp at explorebigsky.com/westforkcamp

reAL esTATe PRIVATE THEATER

DISTRIBUTEDAUDIO / VIDEO

SECURITY / CCTV SYSTEMS

TELEPRESENCE

LIGHTING CONTROL

ENERGY MONITORING

CONTROL SYSTEMS

EXECUTIVE IT SUPPORT

We provide complete design and installation services for residential and professional

environments. Our firm practices design/build solutions that balance innovative

technology with utility and simplicity. We cater to clients who have an appreciation

for craftsmanship and design, and who expect and demand the best every time. www. STUD I O AV. n e t

406 777 5559 missoula, mt

307 200 0533 jackson, wy

™

406 586 5593 bozeman, mt

With your new home comes new responsibilities – like protecting your new investment with the right amount of homeowners insurance. That’s where I can help.Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®CALL ME TODAY.

Discover whyover 17 millionhomeownerstrust State Farm®.

0907507.1 State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL

Brad W Daws Insurance Agcy IncBrad Daws, Agentwww.braddaws.net

Toll Free: 800-865-2622 Bus: 406-586-HOMEBus: 406-995-3079

the trapper’s cabin, beneath its traditional low-angle roof, peers out over a trout pond in west fork camp. the main cabin looks on from the northwest.

110 Mountain explorebigsky.com

117Mountainexplorebigsky.com

A R C H I T E C T U R E I N T E R I O R D E S I G NW W W . P E A R S O N D E S I G N G R O U P. C O M P : 4 0 6 . 5 8 7 . 1 9 9 7

P E A R S O N D E S I G N G R O U P

MED IA MARKET ING

M O U N TA I N O U T L AW

( B I A N N U A L )

B I G S K Y W E E K LY( B I W E E K LY )

E X P L O R E B I G S K Y. C O M( D A I LY )

V I D E O P R O D U C T I O N

G R A P H I C D E S I G N

S T R AT E G I C P L A N N I N G A N D C O N S U LT I N G

W E B D E V E L O P M E N T

P U B L I C R E L AT I O N S A N D A G E N C Y S E R V I C E S

E V E N T P L A N N I N G A N D P R O D U C T I O N1Mountainexplorebigsky.com 1Mountainexplorebigsky.com

Mountain WINTER 2013

featured outlaw:

michaelreynolds

explorebigsky.com

brian schweitzerspEaks ouT

yElloWsToNE // cutthroat on the rebound

EXploRING lIFE, laND aND CulTuRE FRoM THE HEaRT oF THE yElloWsToNE REGIoN Free

ph

oto

by

pau

l o

’Co

nn

or

skiing alaska

escape: bali

montana hot springs guide

grizzlyattack

LET US HELP YOU TAKE YOUR BRAND TO THE WORLD.Contact: media@theoutlawpartners.com, 406.995.2055 • theoutlawpartners.com