Upscale Forested Community With Private Lake Access

The subject property is a 9.9 acre lot located along Mertz Place in Hidden Lake, an exclusive residential subdivision situated just south of Angel Fire.

Set against the backdrop of Wheeler Peak and featuring private lake access, this upscale community is home to some of the state's most discerning residents. Populated with six and seven-figure log cabin homes whose privacy is maintained by the towering Aspens and Douglas Firs which surround them, Hidden Lake is a community treasured by people who both appreciate nature and value luxury.

When we speak of property we typically use an address -- 123 Main Street for instance. 

As most vacant land does not have a physical address, however, county governments will identify it in other ways, such as a "legal description", a parcel number or a tax code. The information provided in the table to the right are the ways in which the various state and county agencies will identify this specific parcel of land. These signifiers are important to have when speaking with these agencies - whether they be the assessor, the zoning office, or even the local utilities - and may prove invaluable when initiating conversations about whatever research a buyer intends to do.

Whenever one exists or has been assigned to the land, the physical address will be included in this table.

Roads & Access: The Hidden Lake subdivision is located off the state-maintained NM Highway 120. The subject property is located along Mertz Place, a graded dirt and gravel road maintained throughout the year by the Hidden Lake Association. Because of these facts, the subdivision should be easy to access and navigate in any vehicle type. Located as it is in a higher elevation that experiences regular snowfall, however, a larger truck or off-road capable vehicle is recommended during winter months.

Roads & Access, Cont'd: It should be noted that while most maps identify the road the subject property is located along as Mertz Place, there are a few which identify it as Hidden Lake Road.

Power & Utilities: In the interest of preserving the natural appearance and scenic beauty of the region, the Hidden Lake subdivision is one that has been created without the presence of above-ground residential power lines. Instead, all power and telecom utilities are underground. This includes at the subject property where utility boxes are present. Because of this it should be neither difficult nor expensive to get service connected to whatever you choose to build on the land. Anyone looking to investigate the costs associated with connecting service on the subject property is encouraged to contact Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, the local utility servicing this region.

Zoning: Hidden Lake is zoned R-4 Single Family Equestrian, a designation which permits low density single-family housing and limited equestrian uses. To learn more about the R-4 Zoning Designation, please review the PDF linked here.

POA: Hidden Lake is governed by a Property Owner's Association (The HLPOA) which is actively involved in the community through their work in road maintenance, lake upkeep, conservation efforts and fire prevention. In addition, Hidden Lake defines itself as a "covenant and architecturally controlled community" meaning that rules exist for land use and development and those rules are enforced, most notably by the Architectural Control Committee. This Committee oversees approval and permitting for all homes built within the subdivision.

While many buyers may recoil at the suggestion of rules or governing organizations, good POAs can be a benefit to the land and homeowners in their communities as they help to beautify the region and ensure that property values increase over time. Anyone looking to learn more about the Hidden Lake POA is encouraged to visit their website here.

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions: When Hidden Lake was first subdivided, the developer drew up a set of covenants and restrictions to run with the land. While most of these are what we like to refer to as "reasonable, good neighbor restrictions" dealing primarily with the disposal of trash and prohibitions on excess noise, there are a few covenants that deal with acceptable structures or use of the land. Because of this, anyone considering purchasing the property is encouraged to review the Hidden Lake Covenants and Restrictions document linked here.

Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions, Cont'd: Notable restrictions enumerated in the above linked document include: All dwellings must be permanent structures; Dwellings must consist of a 1,000 square feet minimum; All homes must be built on permanent foundations; No trailers may be used as homes; RVs, Campers and Tents are acceptable for up to 120 days only or during construction of a permanent home site; Properties may not be fenced with barbed wire or chain link; Roofs must be constructed from fire-retardant materials.

Editor's Note: Anyone researching zoning or land use within a region governed by a Property Owner's Association should know that whenever County Zoning and POA regulations conflict, the more restrictive of the two will normally supersede the other. 

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The Hemingway Land Company does our best to represent the properties we list as accurately as possible. Our research, however, will always be limited. 

Because of this, included in the table to the right is a list of the relevant state and county governments, agencies and authorities as well as local utilities (and all their respective websites and contact information) which should help to answer any questions a buyer may have about developing this specific property.

Whenever possible it is best to speak with these agencies first as they will always be a far greater source of information about the local region and the regulations which govern it.  

Hidden Lake: One of the great advantages and most enviable features of owning land in this subdivision is the private access to the lake that owners and their families are afforded. Annual dues contribute to upkeep of the lake as well as keeping it stocked with what locals know to be trophy trout. In addition, owners can spend plenty of time taking recreational swims in its waters or merely relaxing along its shores.

Topography: Despite its location in such a mountainous region, the subject property is surprisingly flat and features none of the slopes, cliffs or ridges common to this area of the state. This is a benefit to anyone looking to build their dream home as it not only allows for construction on any portion of the land but will also serve to make it more affordable to develop.

Topography, Cont’d: It should be noted that the property features a clearing running through the center of the parcel from the road to its back end. The reason for such a clearing is unknown but it would appear trees were once removed so a path or driveway could be constructed. See photos in the gallery at the bottom of this page for reference.

Conservation Easement: It should be noted that the 25 acre lot to the immediate east of the subject property is a designated conservation easement for wildlife. This means the land cannot be developed and thus an extra degree of privacy will be afforded to anyone who lives on the subject property. It also means there will be an additional 25 acres of forest land for you and your family to hike and explore.

Fire Prevention: As with most forested mountain communities, the HLPOA takes special precautions to prevent fires from occurring, spreading or damaging local residences. This includes the presence of a fire department on site within the subdivision as well as the community’s enrollment and participation in the Firewise USA program. To learn more about Firewise you can visit their website here.

The 9 Million Dollar Neighbor: To give a sense of the types of homes you find in this part of the state, but particularly this subdivision, prospective buyers should know that the neighboring home site boasts three bedrooms, seven bathrooms, is 10,000+ square feet and is valued at Nine Million Dollars. This suggests the region is not only a great place to live, but also to retire or vacation at. Additionally, given the exclusive nature of the surroundings, the location is ideal for an Airbnb.

Realtor: This property is also listed with New Mexico Realtor Paula V. Madappa of New Mexico Mountain Properties. Anyone who would prefer to deal with her directly may contact her office at Paula@HighMountainProperty.com or 575.770.3306.

Taos is about thirty-five miles away and offers eclectic shopping, art galleries, museums, medical services and a newly expanded jet accessible airport. In addition, the Taos Ski Valley is home to some of the best skiing in America.

Angel Fire Resort is a family ski resort featuring sixty-seven ski trails and two high-speed lifts. The Resort also boasts an 18 Hole PGA Golf Course, tennis courts and country club offering both bar food as well as fine dining. In addition, the Resort also has a full-service airport with an 8,900 foot runway capable of accommodating numerous private jet types including a Lear 45.

Eagle Nest State Park is surrounded by the high mountains of the Moreno Valley and is home a 2,400 acre lake popular for fishing and boating in the summer. As the parks sits at an elevation of 8,300 feet in a glacial valley on the slopes of Wheeler Peak, the lake is categorized as an Alpine lake. This means that it is also ideal for ice fishing and snowmobiling in the winter. Fish common here are rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, common carp, white sucker, channel catfish, sunfish and northern pike. In addition, the park also offers plenty of equestrian trails and picnic sites perfect for animal and bird watching.

Cimmaron Canyon State Park sits in close proximity to Eagle Nest but is home to the Cimarron River and offers additional opportunities for fly fishing, camping, hiking and equestrian trails. In addition, the park boasts plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities as it is located at the center of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area.