The convergence of people, culture, and the outdoors ignites Alex’s passion for involvement in land management and assisting others in realizing their land use dreams. As a third-generation landowner with a background in land management, he’s got the right combination of authenticity and curiosity to help you connect with the right people to find your right place.
A native of the Northeast, Alex spent summers on his grandparents’ ranch out West sparking his interest in the land and the cultivation of a “sense of place.” After eight years in farm and land management, he continues to advise and guide potential buyers and future and current owners with their land-holding operations.
A culinary aficionado, Alex lives with his wife, Bliss, daughter, Nellie, and son, Bo, in Charlottesville, Virginia. He’s insistent that his children also discover the thrill of downhill skiing, and they all enjoy spending time fly fishing, traveling and exploring new places, and discovering the local cuisine, whether in the Blue Ridge Mountains or wide expanses of the West.
Talk land with Alex.
High Mountain Camp sits at the end of the road, atop Bald Rock Ridge, deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia. With an elevation of 4,000 feet, the property looks out over 360 degrees of mountains and valleys, with the expansive Jefferson National Forest forming its northern boundary.
Privacy, self-sufficiency, and solitude define the property, and the South Cabin, one of three dwellings, can run entirely off the grid on a redundant set of solar, wind, propane, and wood-burning systems. This theme of independence merges with recreation, aviation, and Appalachian scenery to create a truly unique mountain retreat. The multiple cabins and additional building sites also make it a natural fit for a family compound. The retreat is offered turnkey and all furnishings and equipment convey, meaning the property is ready for use on day one of ownership.
The mountaintop location does not mean isolation. Roanoke, Winston-Salem, and Charlotte are each under two and a half hours by car, and the property’s 800-foot grass runway, hangar, and helipad put Charlotte within a 45-minute flight. Closer by, everyday amenities can be found in Independence and Wytheville.
High Mountain Camp runs the length of Bald Rock Ridge at an average elevation of 4,000 feet. The driveway enters through a pair of discreet stone pillars and climbs steadily through a mature hardwood forest and dense understory of native rhododendron and mountain laurel.
At the top of the driveway is the South Cabin, which can run entirely off the grid on a set of redundant systems built for true energy independence. The cabin overlooks a three-quarter-acre pond and is thoughtfully appointed with two bedrooms and a modern, well-equipped kitchen. To the north sit the Middle and North Cabins, which together add seven bedrooms. All three cabins are sited near the apex of Bald Rock Ridge and capture sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
The southern end of the property holds the equipment shop and aviation facility. For a pilot, the setup is hard to match: a 3,000± square-foot hangar, a 3,400± square-foot helipad, and an 800-foot grass strip designed for STOL aircraft. The aviation infrastructure meaningfully expands accessibility, and the current owner regularly reaches the property from the Charlotte metro area in under 45 minutes by helicopter.
Thanks to its elevated ridgetop position, High Mountain Camp offers 360-degree views. Two observation decks on the western edge overlook Robert’s Cove, with Mount Rogers visible in the distance. The northern boundary is shared with the Jefferson National Forest, providing immediate access to tens of thousands of acres of public lands and trails.
The property is primarily hardwood forest, with approximately 40 open acres in the center of the property along the top of the ridge. Within the open acreage, adjacent to the South Cabin and pond, are two fenced paddocks that total around five acres. The runway and helipad are sited at the southern end of the property.
High Mountain Camp is a mountain retreat in the truest sense, and the only property of its kind currently on the market in the Blue Ridge. It’s a self-sufficient mountaintop compound offering genuine privacy, 360-degree views, and backcountry aviation features, all within a reasonable distance of North Carolina’s metro areas and the wider Southeast.
High Mountain Camp rests atop a beautiful mountain setting in southwest Virginia, approximately 30 minutes from Independence and 45 minutes from Wytheville. The property sits at the end of a dead-end road with the Jefferson National Forest forming its northern boundary – a combination that delivers genuine privacy without sacrificing accessibility to major cities. At the property, you feel a world away from everyday life, yet Charlotte, one of the Southeast’s most dynamic business centers, is only two hours and fifteen minutes by car. Distances to regional cities are as follows:
This part of Virginia is known for its scenery, rugged topography, and Appalachian roots. The Blue Ridge Mountains form a picturesque backdrop, and the peaks here routinely top 4,000 feet, putting them among the highest in the state. The Jefferson National Forest borders the property, and its 690,000-acre complex of protected lands is accessible directly out the back door.
Within reach of the property are trout-filled creeks and a deep network of trails for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area lies less than 30 minutes away and includes four wilderness areas, 500± miles of trails, and Virginia’s highest peak, Mount Rogers (5,729 ft). The Appalachian Trail, Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail, and Johns Mountain Trail all run nearby.
Southwest Virginia has earned a strong reputation for its outdoor recreation, with year-round opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, paddling, and cross-country skiing.
High Mountain Camp has a true four-season climate. Summer highs sit in the 70s and low 80s, and the elevation brings consistent breezes and low humidity, a welcome change from the typical southeastern summer. Spring and fall highs range from the 50s to the low 70s. Winters can be cold and snowy, with average highs in the 30s and low 40s. The area averages 41 inches of precipitation and 17 inches of snowfall per year, though snowfall at the property is often considerably higher due to elevation.
The property is primarily hardwood forest, with approximately 40 open acres running down the center of the ridge. Within the open acreage, adjacent to the South Cabin and pond, are two fenced paddocks totaling five acres. A future equestrian stable may easily be accommodated. The runway and helipad sit at the southern end.
South Cabin: The South Cabin is a traditional, 1,200± square foot Appalachian-style cabin that has been thoughtfully positioned to take advantage of the views to the east, the pond, and the wide valley below. It has one main bedroom and a sleeping loft, as well as a comfortable living room, well-appointed kitchen, and wraparound porch. Adjacent to the cabin is a 1,350± square foot garage with three bays. The cabin is fully off-the-grid, with redundant systems, including:
Middle Cabin: The Middle Cabin sits on the brow of Bald Rock Ridge and takes in views to both the east and west. It has four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, an attached two-car garage, a propane backup generator, and a large-capacity tank.
North Cabin: The North Cabin is the largest of the three at 2,600± square feet. It has four bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a large equipment garage, and an adjacent storage barn. A propane backup generator with a large capacity tank serves the cabin.
Hangar: The 3,000±-square-foot hangar sits south of the cabins. It is in immaculate condition and features an automated overhead door that opens directly onto the helipad.
Equipment Shop: The equipment shop offers 1,275± square feet of conditioned storage and workshop space, plus a full bathroom. All equipment and tools on the farm convey with the property.
Annual property taxes were approximately $12,877 in 2022.
Outdoor recreation sits at the heart of High Mountain Camp. On site, a three-quarter-acre pond sits at the center of the property, and has been periodically stocked with bass and trout. Working outward, a thorough road system connects the property, and for exploring further afield, direct access to the Jefferson National Forest makes the property an ideal launching point into tens of thousands of acres of protected lands.
Hunting is not a current focus, but the property holds strong populations of Whitetail deer and Eastern Wild turkey. Additional wildlife includes Black bears, bobcats, and a wide range of bird species, all of which benefit from the surrounding rural lands and national forest.
For a recreational or backcountry pilot, High Mountain Camp is hard to beat. Few properties allow you to wake up, walk to your hangar, and take off. Fewer still offer this kind of backdrop.
Highly recommend them for folks considering buying a farm or recreational property.
We had a great experience working with Alex Leamon at Hall and Hall to finance the purchase of our property. From the first phone call, he was very prompt to respond and provided great service throughout the process. It was my first experience buying a large tract of land, and he made the process...
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