Peaceful Off-Grid Cabin in Quiet Cove and Surrounded by Crown Land – Babine Lake, BC

Your dream wilderness escape tucked away in a sheltered cove on pristine Babine Lake, BC. A true gem in Northern British Columbia. Combining BC’s remote wilderness with at home comforts this property comes complete with 1.58 deeded acres, 540’ of water frontage, surrounding Crown land, sheltered bay with new (2020) 64′ wooden wharf and log breakwater anchored half way across the bay to protect the wharf and moored boats.

Crowning the property is a newly renovated off-grid log home (“Lodge”), approx. 2,000 ft² (30’ x 40’). The home offers two stories and is located 200 ft up from the waterfront via wooded trail. A wooden trolley is in place to help move items up the slope to the home (gas winch included). Outbuildings include a 12’ x 14’ log guest cabin (the “Trapper’s Cabin”) and a second framed construction 10’ x 12’ cabin currently used for kayak and SUP storage.

The two-storey log home offers 4 bedrooms and complete off-grid services. The home is well insulated with stone foundation that is ~2 ft. thick. The home has a metal roof. The home’s exterior has outdoor decks on all sides. There is a large west-facing entertaining deck overlooking the lake; front entry deck (south-facing) with external staircase leading to the upper level; screened in back porch and outdoor side deck (north-facing) with water outlook; and back deck (tools, wood, propane, storage and work area).

There are 3 secure sheds under the north deck, which house a jet pump and pressure tank; solar batteries, inverter/controller, generator and tool storage (the latter 2 are fully insulated). A 1,000-litre water tank sits beside the pump and pressure tank shed. As an added bonus there is a wood-fired outdoor oven, connected to the back deck by a walkway. This is perfect for making wood fired pizza and delicious loaves of fresh bread. Outside the home you will also find an established vegetable garden. The long summer days allow you to grow impressive vegetables. Lastly, there is a fire pit/campfire area where you and your guests can discuss the day’s fishing success.

The home’s interior is fully insulated, as the previous owner lived in the main home year-round. The main floor has an open floorplan, with kitchen, utility room, dining room, three lounge rooms (fire pit conversation area, games table, sitting room), and a bathroom. The kitchen has birch counter tops and island, modern stainless steel propane stove, and electric refrigerator (additional propane refrigerator in Utility room).

The utility room contains hot water services, food and dishes storage, trap door to basement, and a propane fridge. The main floor has a wood stove (WETT certified) for heating and central fireplace. These two heat sources create a cozy ambience while playing cards and sipping wine in the evening. The main floor is completed with a functional bathroom. The bathroom contains a composting toilet, sink and two separate (private) shower stalls.

On the upstairs level are four twin bedrooms (one currently used as study), master bedroom (with king size mosquito net), and three other family/guest rooms. There is an upstairs bathroom with a composting toilet and a large sink. The upstairs is completed with a sunroom/entry.

Completing the main home is the unfinished basement/crawl space. This space is mainly used as storage. If a new owner wanted to turn the home into a 4-season residence, there is potential to relocate the water storage, pressure tank and pump downstairs.

The trapper’s cabin offers two twin beds but could accommodate king/bunk beds. There is a wood stove for heat and a covered porch with water view. Guests have an outhouse with composting toilet. This cabin is not powered, nor is there running water (washstand available).

The boatshed is currently used for the storage of kayaks, SUP’s etc. However, there is room for 2 twin beds (or king/bunk beds). The boatshed has a large deck overlooking the cove. Again, this cabin is not powered, nor does it have running water (second portable washstand available).

This property is a true northern jewel, which has been meticulously maintained and carefully renovated. It is now ready for its next chapter and will provide years of adventure to its next owner.

LOCATION

This property is located on the eastern shores of Babine Lake British Columbia.

ACCESS

Located east of Topley Landing, about 7 miles (11 km) by boat across the lake (about 2 hours door-to-door from Smithers. Or, located about 40 miles (65 km) by float plane from Smithers (Tyhee Lake) a 20-25 minute flight.

AREA DATA

Babine Lake is the longest natural lake in British Columbia.

Babine Lake is located northeast of the town of Burns Lake in central British Columbia, some 177 km (110 mi) west-northwest of the city of Prince George. It is 153 km (95 mi) long, 2-10 km (1.2-6.2 mi) wide, and has a net area of 479 km2 (185 sq. mi.) and a total area of 495 km2 (191 sq. mi.), including islands on the lake which cover 16 km2 (6.2 sq. mi.). It lies at an elevation of 711 m (2,333 ft). It drains northwest into the Babine River, an important tributary of the Skeena.

There are several provincial parks on Babine Lake:

• Babine Lake Marine Provincial Park
  • Pendleton Bay site
  • Smithers Landing site
• Topley Landing Provincial Park
• Red Bluff Provincial Park

RECREATION

• Fishing: near the renowned Char Bay—excellent Char, rainbow trout, burbot and sockeye fishing
• Kayaking and standup paddling
• Canoeing
• Birdwatching—prolific bird life
• Hunting
• Limited hiking—basic trail to the top of the ridge behind the lodge has been established
• Within boat access: Red Bluff Provincial Park

MAP REFERENCE

54°47’10.93″N and 125°57’40.48″W

INVESTMENT FEATURES

• Gas winch for pulling trolley up rails from waterfront level to lodge
• Pumps: Honda gas pump (for lake water), ¾ hp sump pump for winterizing water system
• Honda 5 kW generator (solar system)
• Appliances: gas stove, electric refrigerator (both like new, 2020), propane fridge in working order, small appliances (kettle, coffee maker, 2 toasters); electric vacuum cleaner, battery operated vacuum cleaner
• All indoor furnishings, décor, cooking utensils, dishes, bed linens (sheets, pillows, blankets, cushions), mosquito nets
• 8 Adirondack outdoor chairs, outdoor dining table and benches
• 8 twin beds (2020-2021), like new
• 3-burner gas barbeque

Negotiable Items

• 4 plastic kayaks, 2 standup paddle boards and paddles (approx. value new $6,000)
• 11.5-foot aluminum runabout boat with a Yamaha 9.9 hp motor (motor 2022, $3,000)
• 16-ft Marlon Jon boat with a Yamaha 40 hp (both 2019, $16,000)
• Various tools (portable 3 kW generator, saws, etc.)

SERVICES

Power

The main lodge is powered by a solar power system. Details (all equipment/operating manuals available):

• Designed to supply up to 10.4 kWh electricity per day
• 10 solar panel array, 3.15 kW
• 16 battery bank can supply 2 days of power autonomy at 25°C
• 5kW backup generator
• Designed and installed by Egenolf Alternative Energy (Smithers, BC)
• New electrical wiring completed in 2020 by qualified electrician

Water

• Pumped up from the lake by gas pump into 1,000 liter holding tank
• Holding tank feeds a jet pump and pressure tank which provide running water throughout the lodge
• New plumbing completed in 2020 by qualified plumber
• Hot water heating: Navien propane heater and a 40-gallon electric hot water heater installed in series (electric heater can be turned off to conserve solar power)
• Drinking water—in-line 30 and 6 micron filters and gravity ceramic cartridge filters

Sewer

• 2 Separett composting toilets in the Lodge; 1 outhouse (Separett composting technology) at Trapper’s Cabin
• 2 tumbling composting bins
• Grey water seepage

Telephone Reception

Good cell phone reception at most of property (Granisle tower).

IMPROVEMENTS

• 30’ x 40’ log home
• 12’ x 14’ log cabin (trapper’s cabin)
• 10’ x 12’ wood cabin (boat shed)
• New 64’ wharf
• Log breakwater

A summary of the significant improvements since Seller’s purchase of property

• Completely re-built runners on trolley lift
• Solar system installation
• Secure sheds (solar, generator and water)
• Re-wire lodge
• New wharf
• Re-plumb lodge
• New entertaining deck and entry stairway, new external staircase to upper level, repair of other decks on main lodge, cabins (new deck on Boatshed)
• New flooring in both guest cabins; framing, cladding and painting rooms in lodge
• Installation of toilets, showers and sinks
• Wood stove (True North TN10)
• Landscaping, garden and wood fired oven
• New kitchen counters and appliances
• Miscellaneous renovations/updates; ~$35K in materials (lumber, paint, etc.)
• New furniture, re-upholstery of furniture, beds, linens, etc.

TAX DETAILS

$1,005.03 (2023)

ZONING

No applicable Zoning Code (Bulkley-Nechako Regional District)

LEGAL

BLOCK D OF DISTRICT LOT 1506 RANGE 5 COAST DISTRICT (SEE CROWN GRANT AS TO LIMITED ACCESS)
PID 018-856-845