Miners Retreat

About

Miner's Retreat is one of four rental cabins at the historic Fremont Powerhouse complex, located about 6 miles west of Granite, Oregon in the Umatilla National Forest. The powerhouse was built in 1908 to generate electricity for local gold mines, using water piped 8 miles from Olive Lake. The worker housing cabins were constructed in the 1930s and donated to the Forest Service in 1968. The cabin sits at approximately 5,000 feet elevation on a hillside overlooking the forest near the North Fork John Day Wilderness. It features a covered front porch, two bedrooms with twin beds and bunk beds, a parlor with queen futon and dining area, and a full kitchen with refrigerator, electric stove/oven, microwave, and cookware. From June through September, the cabin has running water, a flush toilet, and hot shower. October through May, visitors must bring their own water and use the nearby outhouse. Recreation opportunities include hiking into the North Fork John Day Wilderness, mountain biking on forest roads, and visiting Olive Lake for boating, fishing, and swimming. The Blue Mountain Scenic Byway offers scenic driving, and seasonal activities include huckleberry and mushroom picking. The nearby ghost town of Granite provides groceries and fuel.

Directions

From Baker City, Oregon: Travel west on Highway 7 for 20 miles to the junction with FSR 73. Proceed north through Sumpter and another 17 miles to the small town of Granite. From Granite, go west on County Road 24 for approximately 6 miles. The main road veers left along the creek bed. At this junction turn right (uphill) on FSR 10 and follow signs to the Fremont Powerhouse. This route is plowed in winter and provides the only winter access.