McLain Flats

Overview

Mclain Flats is a prestigious and sprawling residential area located west of downtown Aspen and north of the Roaring Fork River and Rio Grande Trail. Once ranch and farmland, the area now offers a blend of horse properties and single-family residential homes, seamlessly integrated among pastures and hillsides. Mclain Flats provides breathtaking south-facing views of all four Aspen Snowmass ski areas and the Elk Mountain Range, with plenty of open space to enjoy the scenery. The area is comprised of several subdivisions, including White Star Ranch, Star Mesa, White Horse Springs, W/J, and Starwood, with the latter being the only gated community in Aspen.

Lifestyle

Mclain Flats offers a relaxed and private lifestyle only eight to ten minutes away from downtown Aspen. Owners enjoy vast acreage, expansive views, and a feeling of rural ranch living, minutes to downtown via Cemetery Lane. Equine enthusiasts feel most at home in McLain Flats as many properties qualify for horse stabling, and if a property doesn’t, there are plenty of nearby barns for any equestrian-related needs. Horseback riding trails with access to the Rio Grande Trail below McLain Flats are further amenities for many McLain Flats properties.

Activities 

There are plenty of activities to enjoy in Mclain Flats. The Roaring Fork River offers world-renowned trout fishing all year round, while the Rio Grande Trail provides a scenic route for biking, trail running, and horseback riding – stretching all the way from Aspen to Glenwood. The trail is also popular for cross-country enthusiasts during the winter. Sunnyside, a hiking and mountain biking trail frequented by locals, starts on the east side of Red Mtn. at Four Corners and runs all the way to Mclain Flats offering stunning views of downtown Aspen and the entire Elk range and spectacular fall colors.  

Dining 

Aspen Dining is only ten minutes away, but there are three notable dining experiences that McLain Flats owners enjoy with even closer proximity. The first being Plato’s at the Aspen Meadows Resort which is accessible via the Rio Grande Trail. This restaurant is a part of the Meadows Resort but is open to all serving locally sourced, sustainable eats from Chef de Cuisine, Rachel Kappelman. Secondly, the world-famous Woody Creek Tavern is just minutes down W/J hill from McLain Flats in Woody Creek. Frequented by the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, and Glen Fry, and recently photographed by esteemed photographer David Yarrow, the tavern is a slice of Aspen history that takes patrons back to the 70s and 80’s once inside. Finally, whether you exit from the east or west side of McLain Flats towards highway 82, you are only 5 minutes from the Airport Business Center, which is home to local favorite, Mawa’s Kitchen. Mawa made a splash in the Aspen dining scene in 2006 bringing a style of artisanal, French-inspired eats to our valley. Ever since, it has been a favorite for pre-ski breakfasts and mouth-watering lunches.