Frequently Asked Questions

We have received many inquiries about the property at Scofield Mountain Estates. Here is a list of questions most frequently asked.

The Scofield Area

Where is and how do I get to Scofield Mountain Estates?
Tell me about the Scofield Reservoir (Fish, Size, Temps, Elevation)
Do the lake levels fluctuate?
Tell me about the town of Scofield.
Tell me about the state park facilities.
Tell me about the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
What are the nearest services and areas of interest?
How do I hunt at Scofield?
When does the snow fall and melt at Scofield and how much is there?
Is there winter/year-round access?

The Scofield Mountain Estates Development

What lots are currently available and are the prices current?
What utilities are included with my lot and what must I install?
Will the roads be asphalted?
What will the community area include?
Do you have any lakefront lots, which are they?
Why are there protective covenants and what are the main ones?
How soon after I purchase do I have to build?
Why is there a Homeowner’s Association, how much are the dues, and what do they cover?
Can I park my RV or camp on my lot before I build?
Is this a gated community and h ow do I gate and fence my property?
Why are some lots labeled Not for Sale and when will they be available?
How far is it to launch my boat, and how long can I leave my boat beached?
Can someone build behind me on the west side?
Will there be additional phases?

Information about the Lots

Can you mail me more info?
Do I need to schedule with someone to visit the property?
Do you offer owner financing?
How much are property taxes?
I’m ready to make an offer on a lot what is the closing process?
After I buy my lot, how do I build a cabin there?
Who would you recommend to me to help me build my cabin?
Should I build a stacked log cabin or a prefab cabin?
Do you have any lots with cabins already built?
Can I put in a private boat dock?

Directions to Scofield Mountain Estates

Click here for printable driving directions to Scofield Mountain Estates. They are also on page 6 in the Visitor's Guide. (top)

Scofield Reservoir and Recreation

The Scofield reservoir is a large beautiful 2,815-acre lake, 4 miles long and one mile wide. One Utah’s most popular fishing lakes, it is home to Tiger, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout. Here is an excellent article on fishing tips at Scofield. Here is a link to the latest fishing conditions at Scofield. Here is an article on a fishing study at Scofield.

Water skiing/wake boarding is also a popular activity, and here’s a link to the current lake conditions (air, water temp, water levels, etc). The water temperatures in this mountain lake range from 40 degrees in May to 70 degrees in August. Lake levels vary throughout the year depending on winter snowfall, rain, and droughts.

Elevation at Scofield Mountain Estates varies from 7618 to 8270 feet. Temperatures average: Spring 55/30 • Summer 75/45 • Fall 55/30 • Winter 35/10 (top)

Lake Levels

Like almost all large bodies of water in Utah, Scofield Reservoir’s water is used throughout the year, and the lake levels fluctuate. Usually the lake fills to the high water mark during the spring, but in drought years the lake may not fill completely. Also recently the government has been working on the dam and has kept levels below the high water mark. (top)

Scofield Town

Although presently the nearby town of Scofield is home to only 26 residents, in the late 1920's Scofield was a booming mining town of 2000 residents who produced 75 percent of the state’s coal. For more history of Scofield read page 4 of the Visitor’s Packet.

The town of Scofield currently has one convenience store with fishing gear, food, 24-hour gas including Diesel. This store is run by the friendly Jim Levanger. There is also a small LDS Church at 165 N Union St. The first meeting is at 10:00 am and the Worship Service (Sacrament Service) is at 11:50 am. (top)

State Park Facilities

There is an excellent state park located just north of the dam the northeast side of the reservoir. The facilities include 2 boat ramps, 34 RV/Camp, 100 tent sites, and are open from May to November. For more information visit here or here. Day use boat permits are $5. (top)

Manti-La Sal National Forest Info

The vast 1.4 million acre Manti-La Sal National Forest full of aspens, pines, and wildlife borders Scofield Mountain Estates and provides hundreds of miles of public land for fun and exploration.

Many people love to explore these trails by ATV, horseback, and mountain bikes. In the wintertime many of these trails are groomed for snowmobiling including the famous Skyline Drive trail.

The trails to the national forest are very close to the subdivision. The Pondtown Creek road is located right before you go up the big hill to the point of lots 1-10. The Fish Creek road is the next turnoff going south on the county road. This map here shows where these access roads are. The Sanpete County Trail Map is excellent for finding the other trails, lakes, and campsites all over the Manti-La Sal National Forest. (top)

Nearest Services & Distances

Gas Station/Convenience Store
      Scofield Town - 5 miles
Grocery Stores
      Helper/Price - 35 & 40 miles or aprox 40 – 50 min
      Spanish Fork - 55 miles aprox 55 minutes
Hospitals
      Price – (small) 40 miles or aprox 50 minutes
      Provo -- Utah Valley Regional Medical Center (large) - 73 miles or aprox 1 hour
      Payson - 65 miles or aprox 1 hour
Airport
      Price - 46 miles or aprox 1 hour (small municipal)
      Provo – 70 miles or aprox 1 hr 15 min (large municipal)
      SLC Int. – 120 miles or aprox 2 hours (International)
Shopping Center
      Provo Towne Center – Provo – 70 miles or 1 hour
      University Mall – Orem – 74 miles or 1 hour 15 min
Golf
      Carbon Country Club – Price – 40 Miles or aprox 50 min
      Spanish Oaks Golf Course – Spanish Fork – 60 miles or aprox 1 hour
Skiing
      Sundance Ski Resort – Provo Canyon – 83 Miles or aprox 1 hr 30 min
      Park City, Utah – 117 miles or aprox 2 hrs 15 min
      Snowbird/Alta Ski Resort – Salt Lake City – 108 miles or aprox 2 hrs 15 minutes
Cities
      Salt Lake City – 107 Miles or aprox 1 hour 30 minutes
      Provo, UT – 65 Miles or aprox 1 hour
      Moab, UT – 160 miles or aprox 2 hours and 30 min
      Las Vegas, NV – 399 miles or aprox 5 hours 30 minutes
      Phoenix, AZ – 617 Miles or aprox 10 hours
      Los Angeles – 667 Miles or aprox 10 hours (top)

Hunting

Scofield offers some of the state’s best deer and elk hunting. Hunting in the subdivision is prohibited and discharging a firearm 500 feet from a dwelling is against county law. As there are more hunters than animals, most hunting is done through drawings. There are two types of drawings: the Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMUs) on private ground and the public hunt on public grounds. Both require a big game license and both require drawing out in their respective areas. For more information visit the Utah State Wildlife Resources site. (top)

Snow & Snow Removal

On average snowfall begins in November and remains until about mid-May. The winters in Scofield typically have about 4 feet of snow. Winter snow removal will begin once there are enough lot owners and cabins to justify the removal. Carbon County has informally agreed to asphalt and provide snow removal for the county road in the next couple of years. (top)

The Scofield Mountain Estates Development

Lots Available, Prices and Photos

We strive to keep all the information current and updated on our website. Here is our main map of Phases I & II. This map is interactive and you may click on each lot for pictures, prices and a description. The map also shows which lots are available, where the buildable area is on each lot, and where the trees are located. Here is our updated price list. (top)

Utilities

Every lot includes utilities to the property line and are the following:

Private Spring Water System – We have developed and tested 3 quality springs and created an excellent water system. Fire hydrants are also present with large four-inch lines and pressure of 75 psi.
Electricity is provided by Rocky Mountain Power.
Phones and high-speed Internet are provided by Central Telecom.
Sewers will be done by lot owners as private septic systems. All lots have been tested for drainage (perk tested). Septic systems typically cost about $3,000. Christensen Brothers pre-cast concrete, (435) 462-9166, Devan@cut.net is a good contact out of Fairview, UT to do this.
Heating and cooling is typically done using owner installed propane (tanks must be hidden from view). Electricity can also be used although it is cost prohibitive.
Satellite – Both Dish and DirecTV offer satellite programming to the Scofield Area.
Cell Phone – current cell coverage is spotty and available only around lots 25-27 and off the road near lot 40 (Cingular tested). A large car antenna can increase coverage.
Roads – The roads at Scofield are currently a high quality gravel. Carbon County has informally agreed to asphalt and provide snow removal for the county road within the next couple of years. (top)

Community Area

Scofield Mountain Estates is currently constructing a beautiful community/recreation area. This area will be great for family gatherings. It features a beautiful pavilion that seats approximately 50 people, a high quality post-tension tennis court, a half-basketball court, a sand volleyball court, and a fun horseshoe area. (top)

Lakefront Lots & Lake Access

As lake access increases the value of the a lot, lots 2-6 have direct lake access when the lake levels are high and have lake access through the developer’s property when the lake levels are lower. Lots 14, 18, and 19 also have direct lake access. All lot owners have lake access through the common area between lots 14 and 18. (top)

Protective Covenants

All lot owners of Scofield Mountain Estates become part of the Scofield Mountain Estates’ Homeowner’s Association (SMEHOA) and are subject to protective covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). These CC&Rs are meant to protect the value of the subdivision by creating certain standards. Although before purchasing we recommend reading the entire CC&R document found here, the essential standards are the following:

• Owner has one vote per lot with the SMEHOA.
• Annual Association fees are $400/year (subject to change per association).
• Only one cabin per lot is allowed (county zoning laws).
• Cabins must be constructed 35 feet from property lines.
• Cabins must not be taller than 36 feet.
• Cabin living areas must be greater than 1,000 square feet on the main floor.
• Cabin exteriors must be of log, stone, and/or brick materials.
• Owner may wait any amount of time before beginning construction.
• Exterior construction must be completed within 12 months of start.
• Construction must follow the Deer Valley Guidelines. (top)

The Home Owner’s Association and Annual Dues

The subdivision has some routine maintenance that is handled through a homeowners association and its dues. This maintenance involves maintaining the private water system, maintaining the roads, plowing the roads in the winter, maintaining the recreation area and the administration of the association itself. Current dues are $400 per year. These dues remain within the non-profit association and can only be used on the needs of the association managed by the lot owners. Lot owners are required to pay these annual dues even if they have not begun construction on their property. (top)

Camping and RVs

Casual tenting is allow on the lots, although should not be abused. After the construction of a dwelling RVs and Trailers must be hidden behind visual screening.

Since SME is intended to be a community of permanent, quality mountain homes, recreational trailers, campers or motor homes are only permitted until 2010 for three days or less per week. The use of these recreational vehicles may also be used on the property for the 12-months the owner is constructing his or her dwelling. (top)

Gates

Although the main road through the development is a rural county road and receives very light traffic, it cannot be gated. However, cu-de-sac owners may collectively gate their entire cu-de-sac. Lot owners can also gate their own lots individually, and fences should be constructed of lodge poles or wood rails. (top)

Not for Sale Lots

There are a few lots that are currently not available for sale. Lots 6 & 7 are not for sale as we are trying to work out an agreement with the landowners on the peninsula. Lots 25-27 are being reclaimed from an unsuccessful gas well, it is unknown exactly when these lots will be released for sale. (top)

Boat Ramps

Access to the boat ramps are on the north and east sides of the lake just off of highway 96. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the boat ramps from SME. Day permits are $5. Permits may also be purchased that allows you to beach your boat in the SME bay for up to 14 days. (top)

Lots on the West Side

Lots on the West Side of the property are more valuable not only because of their large acreage and lush aspen trees, but because the terrain behind these lots is quite steep, creating a large buffer on the back of these lots and any possible future development. (top)

Future Phases

Scofield Mountain Estates is planning future phases, although where and when these phases become available is not yet certain. It will probably be a few years before any new phases are released. (top)

Information about the Lots

Sending Information — Packet

Because online distribution is quicker and easier, we distribute our information packet online here. This packet includes the benefits of Scofield, a brief history of the area, directions, maps, and a price list to help you as you visit the property. (top)

Visiting the Property

As our offices are located in Ogden, Utah, please give us a call if you are planning a trip to Scofield. If we not able to accompany you, all the information you need is in our visitor’s packet. This PDF file includes helpful information like the directions to the property, maps, the price list, and other information. The Phase I and II maps include distances in feet between lot corners help you as you visit the property.

Once at the development, each lot is marked with a lot number that matches the maps and price list. Lot corners are marked with green fence posts, so you’ll know exactly where your lot begins and ends. (top)

Owner Financing

We have very limited owner financing, as we are not necessarily in the financing business. This financing is especially helpful for those who have money tied up in other places that will become available in a few years. The short-term financing we offer is available only on lots over $100,000.

Terms are a 15-year mortgage with a five year call/balloon (total loan is due at the end of five years). Interest rates are prime plus 3.9 percent for 10 percent down, prime plus 2.9 percent for 20 percent down, prime plus 1.9 percent for 30 percent down, and the prime rate for more than 50 percent down. Here is a mortgage calculator to figure your monthly payment. (top)

Property Taxes

The tax rate for real estate in Scofield is about 0.9 percent per year. The value of the lot is loosely based on its sales price. If your cabin is your primary residence, you are eligible for a 45 percent discount to that rate. SME is responsible for all rollback taxes. For more county tax info please contact the Carbon County Assessor’s Office at (435) 636-3238. (top)

The Purchasing Process

Once you have decided on a lot please email us at here or call (801) 710-9967, and let us know the lot you are interested in and the name(s) that you want the lot to be purchased by. We’ll then send you a purchase agreement by email, which should be signed and returned promptly to ensure the current price. Earnest money down is $1,000 for lots less than 100K and $2,000 for lots greater than 100K, and should made out to Scofield Mountain Estates.

Please send the agreement and earnest money to Matthew Brown at 3625 Harrison Blvd., Ogden UT 84403. We typically set the closing out 30 days. (top)

Contacts for Building a Cabin

As building a mountain home can seem daunting, here is a rough guide to the process and steps. Below are a few contacts we’ve worked with and recommend:

Lender – Ryan Stover, US Bank, mobile: (801) 557-6941
Appraiser (to get a construction loan) – Vern Meyer, mobile (801) 376-8377
Cabin Supplier – Whisper Creek Homes, Scott Elder, mobile (801) 358-0010
Roads – Neil Frandsen, NELCO, mobile (435) 820-0411 (top)

Stacked Cabins verses Prefab Cabins

One of the most difficult decisions in building a cabin is choosing whether to construct a stacked log home or a prefabricated design. After talking with Scott Elder (801) 358-0010 of Whisper Creek homes and visiting their finished model in Lehi, UT (Just off the freeway at Thanksgiving point), we are convinced that the prefabricated cabin design is far superior to stacked logs because it is cheaper to build, faster to construct, requires less maintenance, and it still looks great. We also like their innovative designs. Here is a link to their latest price list:

We have known various people whose stacked log homes went way over budget and still require a lot of settling and maintenance. Stacked cabin homes, however, do look more impressive and are better insulated, and we like and trust Dave Levanger (435) 472-5632 with Yellowstone homes if you're looking for stacked cabin supplier. (top)

Ready Move In Cabin

We are currently building a ready-move-in cabin on lot 40. This is the beautiful Sundance Series from the Pure Country Line and it will be approximately 2,000 finished square feet including the basement. The floor plan is here. It is currently priced at $389,000. If you have further questions or want to see this cabin, please call Matt Brown (801) 710–9967. (top)

Boat Docks

As most recreational lakes in Utah are reservoirs, they are also managed by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR). The BOR no longer allows any additional private boat docks on the water at Scofield. For more on this information please call Alan Christensen (801) 379-1098 of the BOR.

The BOR and the State, however, have no problem with leaving your boat beached with a permit for 14 days. We have set aside the portion of common area between lots 14 and 18 in the main bay where boats may be beached. (top)