Recreation Rental: Gotchen Creek Guard Station

The Gotchen Creek Guard Station is the oldest historic structure on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Built in 1909, it is the oldest historic structure within the national forest, and the only building constructed during the administration of Gifford Pinchot, first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and an early conservation leader. Within the state of Washington, only a few ranger stations of this age survive.

It is a small two-room cabin nestled in a grove of aspen trees at the edge of a meadow, just a few miles from the Mt. Adams Wilderness. The cabin served as the administrative headquarters for the Mt. Adams District from 1909 until 1916. The ranger station was built along the primary “sheep driveway” entering the Forest from the east, which tens of thousands of sheep passed through. 

It was formally listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. Gotchen Creek Guard Station ranked among those historic sites “recognized for their unique contributions to Washington’s heritage.” The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation.

Facilities

The cabin sleeps a maximum of 6 people in two areas. There is one double bunk bed in the main room of the cabin, and there is a second double bunk bed in a seperate bunkhouse near the cabin. The cabin has propane heat, propane stove, and a propane refrigerator. Pots, pans, dishes, and cooking utensils are provided. A vault toilet is located about 20 yards from the cabin. There are 2 battery operated lanterns, but it is suggested you bring additional non-flammable light sources, such as a headlamp.  

There is no potable water at the cabin, and guests are strongly encouraged to bring plenty for drinking, cooking, and washing. Snow can be melted during the winter; however, the water must be treated or boiled before drinking.  

Although the cabin has several amenities, guests need to provide their own sleeping bags, linens, towels, dish soap, matches, first aid kit, toilet paper, and garbage bags. Please pack out what you pack in. 

Recreation

Many recreational opportunities are within close proximity of the Guard Station, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, skiing, and snowshoeing. The cabin is at the base of Mt. Adams, and near the Mt. Adams Wilderness. Gotchen Creek Trail #40 and Snipes Mountain Trail #11 are both within close proximity of the cabin.  

Natural Features

The guard station is located near the base of Mt. Adams, which at 12,276 feet is the second highest peak in Washington. It is a few miles away from the Mt. Adams Wilderness area, a blend of dry east-side and moist west-side ecosystems, allowing diverse types of vegetation and wildlife to flourish. Multiple trails provide access to spectacular views of Mt. Adams, including its glaciers, mountain streams, meadows, open alpine forests and lava flows.

Forest Road 8225 served as a stock driveway for many years and was the main entry into the National Forest from the east. The 1910 Special Fire Report for the Columbia National Forest stated that more than half of the bands of sheep that used the Forest passed by the Gotchen Creek Ranger station. The area was burned over in the Cascade Fire of 2012. Fire scarred trees and post fire regrowth are part of the adjacent landscape.  

At a Glance