Indian Meadows Guard Station

Summary

Indian Meadows Guard Station is a log cabin located near the Copper Bowls snowmobile area and the Scapegoat Wilderness. It offers exceptional winter activities like snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, back country skiing and snowshoeing. The cabin is surrounded by breathtaking wilderness and is a great spot for wildlife-watching and exploring. There are also local attractions such as shops and eateries in Lincoln or the Blackfoot Pathways Sculpture Park which are a few snowmobile trails away.

Overview

Indian Meadows Guard Station is located near the Copper Bowls snowmobile area and the Scapegoat Wilderness, offering exceptional opportunities for both motorized and non-motorized winter enthusiasts. The cabin is available for rent from December 1st to March 31st each year. Miles of Groomed snowmobile trails and renowned off trail riding in the nearby Copper Bowls are right out the door from this cabin. Cross-country skiers and snowshoers can explore the quiet of the Scapegoat Wilderness to the north with several trails and endless acres of cross-country terrain. Visitors will enjoy a very remote experience as this cabin’s location is not well travelled in the winter months. Consequently, visitors should come well equipped and well prepared to travel the approximately 8 miles over snow to this remote outpost. 

The cabin is approximately 5,500 ft. in elevation and sits within sight of the tallest peak in the greater Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, the 9,411 ft. Red Mtn. Wildlife abounds in this area in the summer months, but it is noticeably quieter in the winter months when this cabin is available for rent. Visitors will still have good opportunities to track wildlife in this area, such as Canadian Lynx, Wolverines, Fox, Wolves, snowshoe hare, among others.

Recreation

Recreation activities are primarily winter based at this location. Snowmobiling, Cross-country Skiing, Back Country Skiing, and Snowshoeing are the primary activities for visitors. Snowmobiling is prohibited in most of the area to the North and East of the Cabin. The Copper Creek Road is regularly groomed by the local snowmobile club and it provides access to the popular Copper Bowls at the base of Red Mountain. The groomed network of trails also extends to the South and access the town of Lincoln via the Sucker Cr. Road #1800.

In early season visitors may find that they can hike on the nearby Mainline Trail #480 and the Landers Fork Trail #438 with relatively little snow cover. Heart Lake is located approximately 5 miles from the cabin on the Mainline Trail. The lake has strong populations of West slope Cutthroat trout and Arctic Grayling. The Landers fork and Copper Creek are also nearby streams with strong trout populations.

Facilities

The Guard Station is a 2 story log cabin that was built in the 1990s. It is still used by Forest Service Crews in the summer months and is well equipped with many of the basic necessities. There are 2 sets of bunkbeds and 2 single beds located in the upstairs loft, but guests should plan to bring in bedding or a sleeping bag. Some blankets and pillows are provided. A propane stove and lights are available for use. Propane is provided for guests at this facility, but please use the available gas responsibly as resupply is logistically challenging in the winter months. Dishes, Pots, Pans, Cutlery, and basic kitchen tools are supplied at the cabin. There are cleaning supplies at the cabin and guests are encouraged to use them in order to keep the facility clean for the next visitors. Water is usually available from the hand pump outside the cabin, but in rare circumstances it may freeze. In these cases there is always plenty of snow to melt however!

Natural Features

This cabin is located with sight of both the impressive bulk of Red Mountain to the west and the jagged spine of the Continental Divide to the east. Over a million acres of undeveloped Designated Wilderness lies to the North where the lake filled Scapegoat Wilderness ties in to the larger Bob Marshall Wilderness complex. There are many miles of ridges, creeks, lakes, and trails to explore. The steep slopes and abundant snowfall make for a scenic backdrop, but visitors should be aware that they also present a considerable danger of avalanche conditions.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Lincoln is about 20 miles of groomed snowmobile trail away and offers several options for eateries and local shops. Visitors can also ski or walk through the Blackfoot Pathways Sculpture Park on groomed trails, or visit the High Country Jerky store for delicious snacks and interesting items. Lincoln hosts the Race to the Sky dogsledding race in February and a Ski-joring event that usually takes place in January of each year.