On the outskirts of El Paso there is a road that leads to a mountain that reaches over a mile high. On that mountain sits a lodge – a very traditional, Westernstyle lodge thanks to a remodel that stripped away grime and outdated décor and introduced an elegance that is as unique as the high desert mountain terrain that surrounds it.
Hueco Mountain is the place where the Mile High Lodge sits - a rustic, ranch-style hacienda known as the highest house in Texas, with a view that could take your breath away. The area around this sight is a 10,000-acre ranch, and the 6,500 square-foot, ranch-style hacienda shows off five bedrooms, a large kitchen and two great rooms, one containing a dining room and living room and one a bar and den – each at an impressive 1,000 square feet.
An outdoor patio with windows peeking out to the view welcomes you into the home, and a deck juts out to reveal a view of the desert below it, vibrant sunsets and the El Paso-Juarez metro area. On the backside of the lodge sits a hot tub with the perfect view of two waterholes, including one used by deer to quench their thirst. No matter what view you see, there are always plenty of roadrunners, jackrabbits, coyotes, eagles and the occasional very large wild cat hanging around in plain view. A colorful patio also sits between the dining room and master bedroom – adorned with colorful tiles and hand painted murals.
Owners CJ and Jo Johns were once proud to offer the lodge as a retreat – bringing in executive groups for corporate events, hunters and even the occasional celebrity for all the solitude the private resort had to offer. As the years went by, the lodge stayed fabulous, but was in dire need of an update. CJ wanted to highlight the traditional western qualities of the home (so common in the Southwest) while leaving the charm and character that had been apart of the place for so long. To do so, he brought in Heidi Lau to spearhead the project, which took a little more than four months. CJ couldn’t be happier, and says, “She is good. She was the whole project, and made an incredible difference in this place.”
The master finish carpenter, Dave Nelson from El Paso, Heidi, CJ and Jo realized the remodel was not a small chore, especially in the den/bar area where a fireplace and stove were switched from one side to the other in the massive room and doorways were rounded for a softer effect. The ceiling was also completely redone for a dramatic effect; square beams were added for contrast and suede faux finishing brought in an elegance that was never there before. “There was a definite change from the old adobe smooth style to the more traditional Taos look,” CJ says. “It is a whole different feel.”
The kitchen was another room that went through a dramatic change once a commercial refrigerator and stove were added, along with a custom granite countertop and an island in the shape of Texas. The soot that covered the floor was removed, and in the end what came from the work was a shiny floor highlighting the Saltillo tile that is found throughout the home.
The outdoor patio also went through some changes – the broken beams that once hung above the patio were removed and the magnificent view of the sky remained. A fireplace was added to the corner of the patio, allowing for one of the most comfortable places to sit and relax while watching the legendary sunsets.
“This was a project that Chip (CJ) and I had always felt needed to be done to completely make this truly unique home realize its full potential,” Jo says. “After all, only one home in all of Texas can claim to be the highest and now it can also be one of the most beautiful.”
What CJ and Jo had before the remodel was wonderful. What came after was a work of art, and an incredible addition to the mile-high mountain.
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