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Retreat to a $110K A-frame in Echo Valley

Huge windows are perfect for watching the snow fall

By Tom Trimbath
NWMLS / Coldwell Banker

Ashford, close to the south entrance to Mt. Rainier, is a town that is drenched in nature, literally. The town experiences 80 inches of rain and more than 140 inches of snow every year. With weather like that, it’s good to have a house that sheds precipitation easily, like this classic A-frame from 1963.

NWMLS / Coldwell Banker

With an A-frame the roof is the siding, so the rain becomes a serenade and the sliding snow an occasional rumble as it sloughs off down the sides. Typical for the design, the front wall is dominated by glass and a view of nature. As massive as those trees seem, they aren’t old growth, but you can find that in the greater neighborhood.

The living room and kitchen sit in the front of the ground floor, which also puts them close to the propane heat. No need to chop wood and haul out ash.

NWMLS
NWMLS / Coldwell Banker

It is a period kitchen, which means it is probably functional, but hasn’t been updated to trendy stainless steel and granite. Of course, the purpose of the house has probably been a retreat, not as a showcase. The four-burner range, refrigerator, and turquoise sink have seniority over modern trends. The back splash looks like an example of a small improvement contributing a larger effect.

In a concession to comfort, the loft is reached by a set of stairs, no need for negotiating a ladder in the dark. Other houses show off cathedral ceilings, but A-frames excel at their ability to soar.

NWMLS / Coldwell Banker
NWMLS / Coldwell Banker

There are two bedrooms and a three-quarter bath in the 715 square-foot space, which means room for a small family, or an occasional guest.

NWMLS / Coldwell Banker

The 10,500 square foot lot completes the package. No need to worry about what to plant. The native foliage has a great head start and doesn’t show signs of slowing. Moss and ferns are happy to be there.

One more feature that’s a retreat from modern life is the price, $110,000. That’s about what some people are paying for down payments that are followed by mortgages in Seattle. A retreat from debt may be the greatest luxury of all.