Closed
— Closed for the winter season. The facility is available for reservation year-round, but winter access typically requires skis or snowmobile from November or December through April due to snow. Vehicle access available in summer months.
About
Gotchen Guard Station holds a special place in Washington forest history as the oldest surviving structure on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, built in 1909 during the administration of Gifford Pinchot himself, the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. This small two-room cabin served as the administrative headquarters for the Mt. Adams District from 1909 to 1916 and was strategically positioned along the primary sheep driveway entering the forest from the east. Formally listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, it represents a unique contribution to Washington's heritage.
Nestled in a grove of aspen trees at the edge of a meadow near the base of Mt. Adams, the cabin sleeps a maximum of 6 people with one double bunk bed in the main room and another in a separate bunkhouse. The facility includes propane heat, a propane stove, and propane refrigerator, along with pots, pans, dishes, and cooking utensils. A vault toilet is located about 20 yards from the cabin. Guests must bring their own sleeping bags, linens, potable water, and non-flammable light sources.
The guard station sits just miles from Mt. Adams Wilderness, where diverse ecosystems allow a variety of vegetation and wildlife to flourish. Multiple trails provide access to spectacular views of Mt. Adams, including glaciers, mountain streams, meadows, and lava flows. Gotchen Creek Trail #40 and Snipes Mountain Trail #11 are both nearby. The surrounding landscape shows evidence of the 2012 Cascade Fire with fire-scarred trees and post-fire regrowth. Winter access typically requires skis or snowmobile, with routes available from Snow King Sno-Park (3.5 miles) or Pineside Sno-Park (3.4 miles uphill).
Directions
From Trout Lake, head towards Pineside Sno-Park on Mt. Adams Recreation Highway. At Pineside Sno-Park, take Forest Road 8225 to the junction with Forest Road 8225060. Turn right and the cabin is 150 yards on the left. Winter access requires skis or snowmobile: from Snow King Sno-Park via groomed trails (3.5 miles), or from Pineside Sno-Park straight up Forest Road 8225 (3.4 miles uphill, not recommended for skiers).
Nearby Campgrounds
