The Waterfall | Own your own private waterfall.  Roaring Spout Branch Falls, an impressive 80-foot waterfall, boasts the highest drop in Yancey County.  This peaceful environment invites you to relax and regenerate in a unique climate that is enhanced by moisture and negative ions.   North Carolina state botanists have visited the waterfall's microclimate and observed species of plants they had previously only been seen in the State's greenhouses.  Waterfalls of this magnitude are typically found only in government parks and forests. 

The Property | The property sits on the flank of 5545-foot Mt Gibbs, 6200-foot Horse Rock and 6327-foot Celo Knob. The Roaring Spout Branch stream is a prominent feature that runs alongside the driveway. The concrete bridge going across the stream to the big pond and future home site was designed to support a fully loaded concrete truck for future building.  On the north-facing slope, there is an area that has been terraced for fruit trees.  This 11.6-acre property offers complete privacy.

Green Features | This “off the grid” property is powered by alternative energy - and there is more than enough capacity to run everything on the property.  The system was designed to be more than adequate to run all existing buildings, plus a large future home on the south-facing slope, above the larger of the two trout ponds.  The property also has standard grid power available.  The power systems include solar, with three tracking panels, hydro-electric, with two "stream engine" turbines that dump their "spent" oxygenated water into trout pond and two back-up diesel generators. One of the diesel generators is an S.C.U.P.P. (Self Contained Underground Power Plant) located underground. The other larger generator is a Lister Petter, known for reliability. The future home site on the south-facing slope was selected for the ability to have passive solar heating of the house, along with the generation of plenty of hot water for radiant floor and driveway heat.

Water Supply | There are several pristine springs on the property and the potable water on the property is all spring water. The last time it was tested, the water was devoid of any measurable chemical or biological pollutants. Non-electrical means are used to pump the spring water uphill to an underground 1000-gallon water storage tank using a "High Lifter" pump. The elevated location provides the water pressure for the entire site. No pumps or pressure tanks are required. This is the same concept that cities use - elevated tanks provide water pressure to homes and businesses

The Residence | The totally rebuilt house is poised under a canopy of walnut trees. The back bedrooms look out into large hemlocks and rhododendrons.  The home includes a large and highly efficient JUCA wood burning stove, an energy efficient washer and propane dryer, an efficient chest-freezer and a Sun Frost RF-16 refrigerator-freezer which uses minimal power to operate. The house has a primary hot water heating system using the Voyager hot water system.  Both potable water and the radiant floor heating water are provided by this system.

NBC Shelter | One of the most unusual features of the property is the underground “bomb shelter". This Radius Defense model "P10" shelter protects your family from nuclear fallout, and biological/chemical agents. The underground S.C.U.P.P. (diesel generator) is connected to it and can be started from the shelter to recharge the shelter batteries as necessary. The shelter has a toilet, shower, cooking and sleeping facilities.

Location | This magnificent waterfall property is located in the delightful Celo community near Burnsville, North Carolina.  Shopping, dining and a major hospital are available in Spruce Pine and Burnsville, only 15 to 20 minutes away.  Boone is a 30-minute drive while Asheville is approximately 50 minutes away.

Area Amenities | The Yancey County area is known for its arts and crafts venues, including the renowned Penland School of Arts and the thriving Toe River Arts Council.  The Blue Ridge Parkway runs nearby and Mt. Mitchell, highest mountain east of the Rockies, is only 25 minutes away. Golf is available at the nearby Grassy Creek public golf course and the Mt. Mitchell Country Club.  Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate numerous hiking and rock climbing venues, including Grandfather Mountain International Biosphere Preserve, Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, the Mountains to Sea Trail, Craggy Gardens and Crabtree Falls.

MLS | North Carolina Mountains MLS #445274

Price | REDUCED from $899,000 to $775,000

Contact | To arrange for a private showing, please contact D'Ann Ford.