Gotchen Guard Station

About

The Gotchen Creek Guard Station is a historic cabin built in 1909, making it the oldest structure on Gifford Pinchot National Forest and the only building constructed during the administration of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. The cabin served as administrative headquarters for the Mt. Adams District from 1909 to 1916 and was built along the primary sheep driveway entering the forest from the east. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007. The small two-room cabin sits in a grove of aspen trees at the edge of a meadow near the base of Mt. Adams. A separate bunkhouse provides additional sleeping space for a maximum of 6 guests total. The cabin includes propane heat (disabled July-August), a propane stove and refrigerator, cookware and utensils, and battery-operated lanterns. A vault toilet is located approximately 20 yards from the cabin. Guests must bring their own potable water, sleeping bags, linens, and pack out all trash. No pets, camping, or open fires are permitted. Nearby recreation includes hiking on Gotchen Creek Trail #40 and Snipes Mountain Trail #11, as well as access to Mt. Adams Wilderness for hiking, horseback riding, and winter skiing or snowshoeing.

Directions

From Trout Lake, head toward 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; the cabin is 150 yards on the left.