Piney Guard Station
PINEY GUARD STATION
Part of White River National Forest
Overview
Piney Guard Station is a rustic cabin that was constructed in the 1930s as a work station for Forest Service crews. This 14 by 22-ft. structure has a single room and is built from logs. It is open both summer and winter with spring and late fall closures.Facilities
Piney Guard Station can sleep up to four people. It contains a bunk bed, two cots, storage cabinets, a table and benches, and a woodstove. Skillet, dishware and utensils are provided. A two burner stove and lantern are provided. These require 16.4-oz. propane cylinder bottles, which are not provided and are your responsibility. A picnic table and metal fire ring are just outside the cabin’s door. A vault toilet is located approximately 50 feet from the cabin. Guests can easily gather firewood around the cabin.No drinking water, electricity or trash service is available; guests must bring their own water and garbage bags to pack out trash. Guests should consider packing most items they would bring on a regular camping trip. Dogs are allowed, please pick up after them and do not leave them unattended in or around the cabin.
Natural Features
Piney Guard Station is located at 9,100 feet in the White River National Forest, Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District, which is near Vail. The cabin is nestled in a forest dominated by aspen, spruce, pine and fir trees. Guests can enjoy views of the Gore Mountain Range from a meadow to the cabin’s north side.Local wildlife, including moose, may be spotted near the lake, which sits across the road from the cabin. The White River National Forest is also home to elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, mule deer, Canada lynx and black bear. Birders may see bald eagles, peregrine falcons, Barrow's golden-eye and black swifts.
Recreation
The cabin is conveniently located in an area offering a variety of year-round recreational activities. The Forest Service road leading to the cabin is used by mountain bikers, hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. This area is popular for hunting big and small game, game birds and waterfowl.Important Notices
To drive the entire way to the guard station, a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is mandatory. FSR 744 is very rough, rutted, and muddy, which can damage a vehicle that is not suitable to rugged 4WD roads. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle, SUV, or AWD, you must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin. FSR 700 is a fluctuating snowline road and is generally over the snow travel (snowmobile, snowshoe, ski/snowboard) only the majority of the winter season from the intersection if Highway 131 and FSR 700. Call the Ranger Station at 970-827-5715 to check condtions.
Forest Service Route #700, Muddy Pass Road, is a public road that passes through private property and Open Range. You may encounter livestock and livestock protection dogs.
- Water is not available at the cabin
- Bring your own 16.4-oz. propane cylinders (needed for the stove and lantern, which are provided)
- Research the Motor Vehicle Use Map so you know what types of motorized vehicles are allowed on the roads and where snowmobiles are allowed
There is no cell phone coverage in many areas of the forest
- Call the Eagle-Holy Cross District for access information: 970-827-5715
Click here for more information about White River National Forest
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Available Activities
- WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
- WINTER SPORTS - Snowmobiling
- HUNTING - Hunting
- HIKING - Hiking
- CAMPING - Camping
- BIKING - Biking
Directions
<p>Take I-70 east from Grand Junction, CO, about 126 miles or heading west from Denver about 119 miles to exit 157. Take Highway 131 north through the town of Wolcott about 5 miles. Turn right onto Forest Road #700 (Muddy Pass Road). From this location, you must follow seasonal access directions to the cabin, as detailed below: </p><p><strong>Summer season</strong> </p><p>During the summer season (<strong>May21st - November 22nd</strong>), it is highly recommended to use a high-clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the guard station. FSR 744 is very rough, rutted, and often muddy. This road can damage vehicles that are not suitable for rugged 4WD roads. If you choose to use a 2 -wheel drive vehicle, SUV, or lower clearance 4WD vehicle, you must park at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744, which is 3 miles away from the cabin. From this location, one must hike or mountain bike to the cabin with gear and supplies. Off Highway Vehicle (OHV/ATV) is permitted to access the cabin from the intersection of Forest Roads #700 and #744.</p><p><strong>Winter season</strong> Accessing the cabin during the winter season (<strong>November 23rd - May 20th</strong>) depends on snowpack. If the snowpack is minimal, you may be able to use a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle to reach the gravel pile parking area at the intersection with Forest Road #700 and #744 which is approximately 7 miles from the Highway 131. If snow is moderate to low, you may be able to travel to the Forest boundary, where there is a small pull out that can fit 2 vehicles. The Forest boundary is approximately 5.3 miles from the guard station. With low snowpack, you can likely make it to the intersection of FSR 700 and 734 and parking at the gravel pile parking area. You will have to snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe on Forest Road #744 for approximately 3 miles to the cabin. During high snowpack, park at the intersection of Forest Road #700 and Highway 131. From here, travel via snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes on Forest Road #700 for approximately 7 miles. Then, turn onto Forest Road #744 and travel 3 miles to the cabin.</p>
Contact Information
Phone: 970-827-5715
EAGLE-HOLY CROSS RANGER DISTRICT PO BOX 190MINTURN, CO 81645
