Fitton Guard Station Cabin

About

Fitton Guard Station is a historic Forest Service cabin built around 1906-1907, originally serving as a timber sale cabin on what was then the San Juan National Forest. Situated at 10,600 feet in a high elevation meadow surrounded by aspen groves and spruce/fir forests, the cabin offers a remote backcountry experience on Burro Creek. Bennett Peak rises to 13,200 feet to the southeast. The small cabin sleeps four on two bunk beds and includes a wood-burning cook stove for heat and cooking, a small covered porch, table, and chairs. A vault toilet serves the cabin. There is no potable water; guests must treat water from Burro Creek. Firewood is not provided but may be gathered from the surrounding forest. Access is restricted to vehicles 50 inches wide or less, hiking, or horseback. Standard passenger vehicles cannot reach the cabin. From the lower Burro Creek Trailhead, the cabin is 6 miles upstream; from the upper trailhead, it is 1.5 miles. A barn with fenced pasture accommodates horses. The Off Cow Camp rental cabin is located 400 yards downstream.

Directions

From the west side of Del Norte, head south on County Road 14 for 12 miles to the lower Burro Creek Trailhead. The cabin is 6 miles upstream via OHV trail or non-motorized access. Alternatively, the upper trailhead is 28 miles from Del Norte via Forest Service Roads 329 and 329.1C, with the cabin 1.5 miles from that trailhead. Only vehicles 50 inches wide or less can access the cabin; standard passenger vehicles cannot reach it.