Brewery Creek Guard Station

About

Brewery Creek Guard Station is a historic cabin rental nestled at 9,500 feet in a densely wooded aspen grove overlooking Brewery Creek, a few miles south of the Continental Divide on the northern end of the San Luis Valley. Built in 1935, this two-room cabin served forest rangers who oversaw what was then called the Cochetopa National Forest. Today it offers a rustic retreat with views of Antora Peak (13,266 feet) and Windy Point (12,129 feet). The cabin accommodates up to nine guests with three bunkbeds (single on top, fold-out futon sleeping two on bottom). A propane-powered stove, refrigerator, and heater provide basic comforts, though there is no electricity or cell service. The kitchen includes cooking utensils and cookware. Potable water is available from an outdoor hand pump, and a vault toilet is located outside. Picnic tables and a fire pit round out the amenities. Guests must bring their own bedding and pack out all trash. The area offers hiking and OHV trails in summer, hunting in fall, and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in winter. The cabin is 2 miles from Bonanza, a historic 1880s silver mining town. Winter access may require snowshoes, skis, or snowmobile, and during spring snowmelt (March through mid-May) the 1.5-mile road may only be accessible on foot.

Directions

From Saguache, go north on Hwy 285 for 15 miles to Villa Grove. Take the Bonanza turnoff (County Road LL56) on the left, 0.1 mile north of Villa Grove. Stay on LL56 about 13 miles west to the Brewery Creek sign and turn left, crossing a bridge. Travel on Forest Road 880 for 1.5 miles. There are two boundary gates before the cabin gate: the first is for private property near Bonanza Ranch, and the second marks the BLM/Forest boundary. The cabin gate is to the right of the road beyond the second gate.