Porcupine Cabin

Porcupine Cabin sits in the foothills of the Crazy Mountains at an elevation of 6,400 feet. It was built in 1914 after a previous structure burned down, and was remodeled by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934. Since its construction, the cabin has been used as temporary housing by Forest Service rangers while they were patrolling for timber poachers, watching for fires and monitoring livestock. Today, it is available year-round to outdoor enthusiasts. Guests can drive to the cabin in the summer, but a high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended due to road conditions. Winter access requires snowshoeing, skiing or snowmobiling up to 3 miles from the end of the maintained gravel road; park out of the way of snow plow equipment and do not block other users' access or turn-around areas. Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety, and must bring several of their own amenities. Guests can access the nearby trailhead for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian use, heading east into the Crazy Mountains, and the trails are used by snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. Equestrian trails are located nearby, and a small pasture near the barn is available for cabin renters' stock, though the pasture fence may not be secure. Stock is not allowed near the cabin or inside the cabin fence. The 26 x 44 frame house has three rooms and a screened front porch. It has bunk beds with mattresses to accommodate up to eight people, a table and chairs, some cleaning equipment and a propane lantern. A wood stove is available to heat the cabin, and an axe and splitting maul should be available. Firewood is not available from June 1 through September 30, so bring firewood or gather it from the forest during summer, and never burn the provided firewood for outdoor fires, as it is extremely difficult to replace. Firewood is available for indoor use during winter as long as supplies last. An outhouse with vault toilet is located behind the cabin, and a campfire ring is out front (bring wood to burn outside). Water, electricity and propane canisters for the lantern are not provided, so guests need to bring their own drinking water, cooking gear and food, bedding, fire starters, extra toilet paper, flashlights, first aid kit, cookware, dishes and utensils, among other necessities. The cabin will need to be cleaned and all trash carried out. The cabin sits on a hillside overlooking the grasslands of Shields Valley. This vantage point provides a majestic view of the Bridger Mountains and spectacular star gazing on a clear night, and guests can look out at the northern peaks of the Crazies from the front porch. Porcupine Cabin offers a quiet and fairly isolated retreat, however, there may be some passing traffic from recreational users accessing the nearby trailhead. Deer, moose, bears and elk may be spotted nearby, and bird species that inhabit this area include bald eagles, owls, jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.