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THOREAU HOUSE (Built 2003)
At Hamilton Field, a 19th C. farmsite ringed by pines with views of Wainwright and Jay, it's a creative copy (exact for size) of Henry David Thoreau's cabin at Walden Pond, built 1845. CLICK & GO! (On this page.)   An historic wood's retreat . . . For living in today . . . (Description.)   Amenities Summary.   Safety First! & Guest Information   About access to Thoreau.   Meet Our Guests at Thoreau House.   The Thoreau House Story--How it go that way.  Building Thoreau House.   Thoreau's Cabin at Walden Pond   Guest Notes:  "So close to its natural state that you can imagine yourself as a pioneer just discovering the area."   "What you have done with Thoreu's Cabin has inspired me."   " . . . do you have anything with electric and running water inside?"   More about Thoreau House (on the next page).   Activities: Twenty-one things to do at Thoreau House.   Thoreau House: What it's like? & NOT LIKE.   Does Thoreau House offer what you most value in an Adirondack Vacation?  
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Fireplace and sitting room.

A warm corner to read and rest.

Eastlake sofa, family photos.

Cabin rear, door to kitchen.

End table, electric lamp.

An Historic Woods Retreat. A faithful copy, exact for size and appearance, of Henry Thoreau's woods retreat by Walden Pond (1845-1847), Thoreau House looks out across Hamilton Field, an early 19thC. homesite with a stone cellar, to the Jay Mountains and wilderness forest all the way to Lake Champlain. Ringed by pines in this secluded setting, Thoreau House is just a half mile above the scenic AuSable River on Stonehouse Road, the prettiest one-lane dirt roads in the state. It's just a short walk to the cool-running brook, well used by settlers years ago, that runs down from Ebenezer Mountain high overhead.

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A bed for one or two persons (3/4 size).

Thoreau books and more.

Family photos.

Kitchen and shower base.

Dining for two, maybe more.

For living in today, we furnished Thoreau's bedroom study (150 sq. ft.), with a double bed (3/4 size), dresser, an antique loveseat and rocker, books and there's a Vermont Castings gas (propane) fireplace that requires no effort at all. We remodeled his old woodshed (80 sq. ft.) into a full kitchen, sink with (just cold) running water, gas cooking range, refrigerator, complete cooking utensils and dishes, shower base (for portable shower, supplied), dining table and chairs. Old Thoreau never had need of this, but we dropped his ceiling to make a (150 sq. ft., accessed by ladder), nice views. Water is pumped up from the ancient stone well under the building. Privy. (For location see Fourpeaks Trail Map. Thoreau is 800 feet down Stonehouse Road from Gypsy Camp label [GC]. Also see Thoreau House "5, Hamilton Field, Thoreau House"  on the Stonehouse Road Map. And CLICK HERE for the kind of secluded living offered at Thoreau House.
One building, two rooms and loft, Non-smoking, Pets welcome, just 230 sq.ft. plus loft, max. 2 persons. Single or Double occupancy from $425/3days, $850/week. 11% Sales/Occupancy Tax applies to all rentals of less than one week duration. A Deposit Payment is required to secure reservation. Cancellation fees apply.  See Guest Information for occupancy limitations and financial arrangements.

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Kitchen range, refrigerator, sink with running water.

Kitchen cupboard, dishes.

Ladder to loft.

Loft with view.

Thoreau House front door.

"Thoreau House" Amenities Summary
Bedrooms/beds: One double bed (3/4 size, 48 in.).
Blankets and pillows supplied. [CLICK HERE for Frequently Asked Questions about what to bring, including linens and towels.]
Full Kitchen.  Apartment size cooking range with oven, 4 cubic foot refrigerator. Dining service for 4 persons and a complete selection of utensils, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, including a toaster, a tea pot and 3 kinds of coffee makers.
Toilet: Outside Privy (outhouse).
Water/washing:  Limited use running water. Portable shower and shower base. [CLICK HERE for more about limited water at Fourpeaks Backcountry Camps.]
Lighting: Electric lighting. Electricity for reading lamp, floor lamp, supplemental heat.
Fireplace/heating: Vermont Castings fireplace propane (gas) heater in The Study. Supplemental electric radiator heater in The Woodshed (kitchen).
Outdoors: Adirondack chairs, picnic table, hammock and charcoal barbeque grill in pine grove close by. Optional portable screen house. Additional fee. CLICK HERE for photo, room plan.
Miscellaneous: Dish soap, hand soap, sponge/pot scrubber, Comet cleaner, firewood, dish towels, toilet paper, trash bags, matches, candles, biscuit mix, honey, salt, pepper, sugar, etc. are all supplied.
Complete Amenities Summary and Room Plans.
Need some help deciding which Fourpeaks Camp is right for you? Use our complete Graphic Amenities Summary to compare fireplace, kitchen, water, showers, toilet, views and other amenities. For sleeping and dining capacities at each Fourpeaks place look at our Room Plans page.

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(Hamilton field, Jay Mountain.)CLICK HERE for 10 Exterior Views of Thoreau House.

CLICK HERE for 21 Views of Thoreau House under construction.

CLICK HERE for 15 views of Henry Thoreau's Cabin (Replica at Concord, MA).

CLICK HERE for how Thoreau built his cabin at Walden Pond (in his own words).

Walden, or, My Life in the Woods, 1857 (title page).

The Story.   
Thoreau House (How I began building it as a place to live.)
September 2001 I had my personal 9/11. My wife of 30 years let me know she wanted a separation, divorce, or whatever. We were living at the Stone House in Jay and I was in bed in the teeny bedroom we made at the northwest corner with a good view of mountains. She asked me to sleep on the couch in the Library. I didn't. I was re-reading "Economy" in Thoreau's Walden Pond, and just kept on reading after I told her SHE could move to the library, I was staying right here.

The reality of the situation became clearer over the next few weeks. This was no kiss and make up situation. Months of marital counseling hardened the view that she (as she said) needed to be on her own. I won't go into the motivating factors (money, repression), which only became clearer much later on, and no amount of pleading could change her mind.

Thoreau's Cabin stuck with me. The simplicity of it, the closeness to nature. Reacting to the personal distress, I sketched and planned a new home for myself on the property above, but with modern amenities for full time living. By October the foundation was down right over the 150-year old hand-dug well at the Hamillton Farm on Stonehouse Road. We had the side walls up and roofed in November, and got the building wrapped by January. It took till the next Summer to finish the interior, electrical and plumbing, and the cedar shakes weren't on till the Summer after that.

I never got to live there. By December 2001, while Thoreau was building, the reality of my new situation became apparent. I would have to move, but Thoreau was just a dream. I needed space for my work, vehicles and personal gear. And I wasn't getting an apartment in Plattsburgh, like the lady suggested. The tractors and other equipement, foresty and maintenance gear were already up at Camp Barn, a fine location central to the property. I finished first stage remodeling for a place to live there in time to move in Janrary 2. There was just one room, "The Hideout," with two narrow windows, in what used to be the Auto Shop, and a small kitchen carved out of the corner of it. But that's another story. (CLICK HERE to hear The Whole Fourpeaks Story--1967-2003, 7 camps, 3 barns, 1 Stone House, 700 acres and 40 years.)

Safety First!  & Guest Information. The buildings at Fourpeaks are spread out on a 700-acre property, 2-1/2 miles end to end. To maintain an orderly, clean and safe place to live, the good will and cooperation of our guests are essential. Prospective visitors must familiarize themselves with propane (gas) safety, fireplace/woodstove safety, water safety, housekeeping responsibilities, arrival arrangements, and other matters that will affect their personal safety and comfort at Fourpeaks. If you're considering a Fourpeaks vacation rental,  CLICK HERE  for our Safety First!  & Guest Information pages.

 Access to our Backcountry Camps. There's year-round auto access to The Cabin, Sugar Camp, New Camp, Gypsy Camp and Thoreau House. CLICK HERE for driving directions right to camp!
Spring, Summer and Fall, guests at our two remote camps, Wolf's Nest and Ridge Camp, meet us at our Camp Barn Office. There, we take their food and gear and jeep it up to camp. And we take it back down when they leave. There's no need for them to pack it themselves.
In Winter, and other times when road conditions are unfavorable, guests at Wolf's Nest and Ridge Camp must carry their stuff on their own (Wolf's Nest, 5/8 mile or Ridge Camp 1-1/2 miles). Firewood plus propane for lighting and cooking are already in place at camp. Wash water is at the Well House at Ridge, but wash water must be carried up for Wolf. A full orientation to camp precedes the visit. Extra backpacks and a cargo sled are available for loan. Visitors to Ridge and Wolf's Nest are not required to pack out trash on departure.
No guest vehicles. Except for short access roads off Stonehouse Road (to Thoreau House, Gypsy Camp, Sugar Camp, New Camp and The Cabin), the use of guest vehicles on Fourpeaks roads and trails is strictly forbidden.
[More about access at Frequently Asked Questions.]

 Meet Our Guests at the Fourpeaks Photo Guest Book! A fun way to learn about our Adirondack backcountry vacations.
Who came. Where they're from. Where they stayed. The Season. What they did here. Photos, Letters and Guest Book entries. CLICK HERE for our Photo Guest Book.

Pet-friendly vacations.   Romantic getaways.    Families with Kids.

Discount Prices. We love to see guests come back. To make it easier, guests earn Frequent Flyers Points they can use toward Year-round Discounts. CLICK HERE to see our Reduced Rate Plans for Returning Guests.   Fourpeaks (almost) for free. Work here part-time on the trails or cleaning to pay your way. CLICK HERE  to learn about our Fourpeaks Work-Stay Program. Fourpeaks for free. Have a home or apartment in New York City? Plan your ideal Fourpeaks getaway and let us know what you have to offer in exchange. CLICK HERE to learn about a Fourpeaks Home Exchange.

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#1893 "So close to its natural state that you can imagine yourself as a pioneer just discovering the area."

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Subject: Guestbook Entry
Date : 8/29/2004
Name : The Abrigo Family
Email : queen****@aol.com
Location : Staten Island, New York
Comments : Dear Martin,
You are a very lucky man. Fourpeaks is a unique place of great beauty
that's been kept so close to its natural state that you can imagine yourself
as a pioneer just discovering the area. One way you could determine if
potential guests would appreciate the experience would be to have them stop
at Lake George Village first and have a look around there. If they tell you
they actually like the crowds and commercialism, then tell them to forget
Fourpeaks. It takes a different mindset to go into the woods and spend the
day picking up frogs instead of cruising the T-shirt shops in Lake George!

As much as we loved Fourpeaks, though, we weren't enthusiastic about
the outdoor privies! Chemical toilets are definitely the way to go (pun,
ha-ha) and we would immensely appreciate this amenity on a future visit.

We're contemplating a return visit with some friends to share a bigger
place than Thoreau House. Ridge Camp was really attractive and I'll bet the
fall foliage season there would take your breath away! Would you be willing
to get a couple of chem toilets there for the fall season? Let me know and
I'll see what's doable on everyone's schedule (possibly around Columbus
Day.)
Regards, The Abrigos
More about this. (Keep reading.)
Subject: Thanks very much for your thoughtful Guest Book entry.
Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 16:25:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Martin (Your Adirondack Guide)"
To: queen*****@aol.com Hello Frances, Joselito and Valerie!

Thanks very much for your thoughtful Guest Book entry.

The comparison with Lake George Village (or for that matter) downtown
Lake Placid is a good one. There are after all many (the majority of
vacationers really) who don't value privacy and are even scared to be
where there aren't A LOT OF PEEEPLE around. Asking them if they like
LG or LP village is a good way to figure them out. I'll try and
remember that.

Quiet (no audible sounds except natural sounds like birds and insects
and wind in the leaves and such) is really scary for most people. They're
used to cars and planes and radio and TV and peeeple and even sirens.
A guest who just came down from Ridge today commented about that. He
couldn't hear any highway sounds at all or even airplanes. He says
he's visited lots of "wilderness" or "backcountry" places where city
sounds and sounds of motors still get in and spoil the quiet.

Yes. You can have the use of a chemical toilet while at camp. I mentioned
that in the "Thank you" letter that I sent to you following your visit
(see copy below). It's part of several new upgrade offers in my "Luxury Camping"
program. I don't want to be left behind with all the progress that's being
made to put "NATURE WITHIN REACH" to anyone who wants to take a look at it,
even for just a weekend. It's not so scary after all.

You can read something about what is "Luxury camping" and where to find it
in a magazine article from the Southwest Airlines In-flight magazine
(Fourpeaks is mentioned). Just click http://4peaks.com/fluxury.htm
Along with that "Luxury camping" page is an (almost finished page)
"Luxury Camping at our Adirondack Backcountry Camps," including a list
of new amenities available to Fourpeaks visitors, free phone service,
running water, flush toilets, hot showers, outdoor screened dining (some with
small fee) along with the already available complete kitchens, outdoor grills,
table and hammock, scenic private hiking trails, and pet-friendly accommodations.
Read about the new stuff at http://4peaks.com/foamen.htm still somewhat
"under construction" but due to be finished soon.

Thanks for thinking about coming back. You will have to remind me (my new
inquiry form will provide for it) that you want the flush toilets for your
visit. I'd love to have you back. Maybe I'LL MAKE YOU a meal to pay you back for
your friendly hospitality while you were at Thoreau.

The calendar http://4peaks.com/femail2u.htm shows Ridge is available
for Sept 11 for 3 nights and Sept 17 for lots of time, but Labor Day weekend
is already booked. Sorry. Please consider those alternate dates or maybe
Sugar Camp for Sept 2.

Hope to see you soon. (20% discount off posted rates apply for a second visit
this year.)

Sincerely,
Martin

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#Ltr060306 "What you have done with Thoreu's Cabin has inspired me."

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Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2006 06:32:19 -0800
From: Lawrence (Larry) Henry lehenry***@msn.com
To: martin@4peaks.com
What you have done with Thoreu's Cabin has inspired me.
I am 51, male and just divorced (Oh well...shit happens). I have a
dream to return to Indiana where i came from (I am in Florida now),
buy a small lot "in the country" and build Thoreus's cabin. Just a
bit different. I'd double it with a dog-trot and extra cabin. Kitchen
and livingroom in one, bedroom and bathroom in the other. Same size
and dementions. Just reflective cabins. The dog-trot, roofed over
would make a nice summer porch. Maybe someday i can come visit, or do
work equity for a short stay. Due to my Ex i have a very limited
budget at this time.
Live in peace, bask in God's love.
Larry Henry

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More about this. (Keep reading.)
Subject: What you have done with Thoreu's Cabin has inspired me.
Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:04:28 -0400
From: "Martin (Your Adirondack Guide)
To: lehenry1***@msn.com
Larry--
I apologize for not having replied to your welcome
email about Thoreau House and your idea of building
one (two). I simply put off writing until my story about
Thoreau was done. Never did it. It has to do with breaking up
and building a new place for myself. I WILL DO THE STORY
someday SOON, and send you a link.
Personally, I prefer to keep the house just as it is
http://4peaks.com/fth.htm but (as I think you realize)
it was too small for me to live in. I'm (half) seriously
thinking of fixing the space problem by the addition of a
small horse barn nearby. I actually have the remains of one
near my Sugar Camp and I could move it. The scale would
be perfect and it would appear functional--historically.
More when I do the Thoreau Story.
"Maybe someday i can come visit, or do work equity for a short stay."
Yes. If you can make the time for a visit here I will do
my best to work out something very low budget for you and
possibly a work-stay arrangement. See http://4peaks.com/fgift.htm
Best wishes,
Martin

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(From a prospective honeymooner.) " . . . do you have anything with electric and running water inside?"

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Subject: Re: a honeymoon for next year
Date: Mon, 1 Oct 2007 22:29:58 EDT
From: FlREnlCE@aol.com
To: martin@4peaks.com
I am intrested in coming up to the adirondacks but I didn't like the absolute whole wilderness
like the no bathroom and how we would shower and bathe for the week we are there do you have
anything with electric and running water inside. If you do please let me know and send me some pictures.
thanks
alicia

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Subject: . . . anything with electric and running water inside?
Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2007 10:49:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Martin (Your Adirondack Guide)"
To: FlREnlCE@aol.com
Alicia--
Yes. Thoreau House has just what your looking for!
Real Adirondacks Wilderness with not so much wilderness
in it as all that.
See all the photos and full description at http://4peaks.com/fth.htm
Plus, for not too much extra (just $16), you can have the convenience
of an inside flush toilet.
Phone for more. Ask about our HONEYMOON SPECIALS. Thanks.
Your Adirondack Guide,
Martin

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Are you in this picture? Fourpeaks hosts now welcome paying guests to a 700-acre rest and playground for vacations in the Adirondack Great Camp tradition. Couples appreciate Fourpeaks secluded settings. Adventure families have fun exploring our accessible wilderness. Folks with dogs enjoy the open spaces to run their pets. A private nature retreat, a place for restoring personal energies. Are you in this picture?  CLICK HERE to find out!    [More about this at Frequently Asked Questions.]

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