Our goal has always been to offer guests a full-featured escape: plenty to do inside, plenty to do outside, and page after page of nearby sights and attractions. Check the reviews of the original two cabins to see how effective we've been.
INSIDE
The house sleeps eight: a queen bed in the vast master bedroom, another in the middle room, and 4 twin-sized beds in bunkroom. There are bed linens and towels galore, enough for an army, so don’t bring your own. Soaps? They’re there. Forgot your toothbrush? Yup, there’s spares.
The kitchen is fully equipped with modern appliances and all the tools to satisfy the most discriminating foodie. The cupboard’s fully stocked with spices, flours, oils, and vinegars, and the fridge is stocked with all the condiments you want so you don’t have to worry about the little stuff. Is there coffee? Yes, both whole bean and ground. The small bar, a tribute to the house’s tavern origin, is never stocked out of respect for guests who may be in recovery; the Blue Mountain House is very much a BYOB establishment.
Planning a family feast? We got you. Open the flyleaves of console table and set it beside the oak dining room table (they’re the same size), gather all the extra chairs, and seat twelve. Break out the serving platters!
The home is heated and cooled by a state of the art HVAC system. In winter, feel free to make it extra cozy by lighting the parlor stove in the living room or the Victorian grate in the master bedroom. The water heater is on-demand, so go ahead and fill the tub. A full-sized washer and dryer are on the second floor.
OUTSIDE
The fire pit behind the house comes with a stack firewood; please don’t bring your own so we can avoid invasive insects. And the fire pit doubles as a grill; see the house notebook for hints on cooking on an open flame.
The swimming hole behind the house is about 5 feet deep. It’s a bit mucky, but we’re working on it. A rope swing hangs from the far side. Be aware, the water is **cold**. Three inner tubes are supplied for summer delights. Because of its constant flow, it never freezes over in winter, so no ice skating. You’ll just have to settle for the toboggan in winter.
The two main hiking trails are marked. The green trail starts behind the garage. Follow it to meet George F. The red trail heads high off the green about halfway through. It leads to the “Gazebo in the Clouds.” Climb at your own risk (alas, your host’s fear of heights and a past unfortunate experience with a ladder prevents him from ever being able to climb it. Two rungs is as far as he’s ever gotten).
LOCATION
Blue Mountain House sits on the abandoned road that used to be the main route over the Blue Mountain between Berks and Schuylkill Counties. It’s about 2100 feet due south of the Appalachian Tail at the Fort Dietrich Snyder monument stone. The steepest part of the route from below is paved, but in winter, four wheel drive is a necessity, and will be required.
