Overcome cabin fever by staying in one of Utah's guard stations

Overcome cabin fever by staying in one of Utah's guard stations

(Jeremy Howlett)


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THE GREAT OUTDOORS — With winter officially here, some may already be getting cabin fever — and by that we mean the itch to stay in a cabin.

Unfortunately, staying in a cabin of your own or even a friend’s is a luxury most don’t have. But, there’s good news for you cabin hopefuls, and it comes to you by way of several guard stations that dot Utah’s forests.

Here are some that are open during the winter months.

Seely Creek

If you love snowmobiling, and don’t mind using it as your mode of transportation to your weekend getaway, then Seely Creek Guard Station located within the Manti-La Sal National Forest in central Utah is right up your alley. This quaint little cabin sits near the top of the Wasatch Plateau at approximately 10,000 feet elevation and was built during the years 1907-1908.

While here, you will be met with all the luxuries of home, except for running water, cable, internet, electricity (solar panel lighting is available), … oh, and bedding. You will need to bring your own bedding. However, what it lacks in modern-day amenities, it makes up for in rich history, as it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This guard station can accommodate six occupants inside, and if you have family and friends who don’t mind setting up tents outdoors, there’s room for 24 more, including pets who must also sleep outside.

If you feel that your cabin fever has doubled, and you want to head outside to play, you can snowmobile, cross-country and backcountry ski, as well as snowshoe to your heart’s content.

Indian Creek

If you were unable to book your week at Seely Creek, you can have your week at Indian Creek. (Say that 10 times fast).

Yes, Indian Creek Guard Station is also located within the Manti-La Sal National Forest just below the Wasatch Plateau. What’s better? This little cabin faces Ferron Reservoir, with a partial lake view from the porch, as well as breathtaking scenery that includes Englemann spruce, fir and aspens trees that cover the area.

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This guard station sleeps up to 10 people, with room for six inside, and four camped outside. And while you will likely need to carry your linens, luggage and water in via snowmobile or snowshoe, you will be happy you made the journey, as your destination will be equipped with a table and chairs, sink, wood stove, propane lighting and propane appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, oven and hot water heater.

Colton Guard Station

If you thought all Vernal had was a large, pink dinosaur to wave at as you passed through town, you were highly mistaken. This town is home to Ashley National Forest, which just so happens to be the setting of a sweet little hideaway called Colton Guard Station.

Built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal instituted during the Great Depression, this station was home to rangers who patrolled the forest on horseback before the age of modern vehicles.

However, if you decide to stay here during the wintertime, you may just need to leave your “modern vehicle” behind, and trade it in for snowshoes or a snowmobile because those are the only ways you will be able to access your home away from home.

This cabin sleeps up to four people on one twin-size bunk and one double-size futon, but if you need room for more guests, there is a bunkhouse behind the cabin that can sleep up to eight additional people. And, as is the case with all of these cabins, there are no linens, bedding or pillows are provided, and no running water during the winter months.

Pine Valley

Rounding out the top four is none other than Pine Valley Guard Station in the Dixie National Forest.

This destination, located about 45 minutes away from St. George, was built in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps as a place to house a recreation guard during the summer months. The cabin has since been renovated, and rented out year-round to families who want to enjoy some time away.

One such family is the Howlett’s from Lehi, who recently visited the Pine Valley Guard Station with their four children.

“The fun allures of the cabin were that it was low in cost and mountainous so you could have forest and snow, but it was close in proximity to St George for climbing and mountain biking,” Jeremy Howlett said. “If you go when there's more snow, you can combine a ski/snowshoe trip with a redrock trip.”

Leslie Howlett had similar views of the cabin.

“I loved the cabin,” she said. “It was historical on the outside with its white and green color, rock foundation and adorable porch, but still had an updated inside that held onto an older era with the wood-burning stove, arched, and a sweet 1950's feeling kitchen.

"Outside the cabin there is an adorable, paved winding forest trail from the campgrounds above the cabin to the reservoir below it. There is a trailhead a mile from the cabin taking you 3 miles to Gardner Peak which has some really neat geology diversity, then a grand view of the valley.

"We also loved attending church in this historic LDS chapel built in 1868 (one of the oldest currently used LDS chapels in the world). They offer tours after church every week. We look forward to going there again.”

As is the same with the other cabins during the winter, you may need to make arrangements to get there (snowmobiles or snowshoes) if the snow levels are high.

Special instructions

Each station has special instructions for how to reserve your stay and how to obtain your key. If you plan on making one of these special places a getaway for your family, make sure to read each description carefully to make sure you are prepared for your stay.

These are not condos, hotels or even motels. Nobody will be there to clean up your mess, so, as it is written in the description of all guard stations, "Pack it in, pack it out; please bring garbage bags and haul your trash out upon departure.”


![Arianne Brown](http://img.ksl.com/slc/2505/250517/25051768\.jpg?filter=ksl/65x65)
About the Author: Arianne Brown \-------------------------------

Arianne Brown is a mother of seven young children and is a Salomon at City Creek, Nuun and Unshoes sponsored athlete. For more writings by her, search "A Mother's Write" on Facebook or Twitter @A_Mothers_Write

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