Access
To reach Jack Creek Crew Quarters from Saratoga, Wyoming, turn
west off Highway 130/230 on Bridge Street across from the Wolf Hotel,
travel west on County Road 500 to the forest boundary approximately
20 miles, then on National Forest System Road (NFSR) 452 for 5 miles.
The Jack Creek Crew Quarters will be located on the left (north)
side of the road. From Encampment, Wyoming, take State Highway 70
west for 7 miles to NFSR 443, turn north (left) onto NFSR 443 and
travel to the junction with NFSR 452 (approximately 16 miles) turn
west on NFSR 452 and travel approximately 8 miles. The Jack Creek
Crew Quarters will be located on the north (right) side of the road.
From Baggs, Wyoming, take State Highway 70 east approximately 23
miles to the junction of NFSR 801. Turn north and travel approximately
5 miles to the junction to the junction of NFSR 830. Turn right
and travel approximately 13 miles to the junction of NFSR 452, turn
west (left) for approximately 2 miles. The Jack Creek Crew Quarters
will be located on the north (right) side of the road.
Attractions & Considerations
This beautiful area is a mixture of lodge pole pine, aspen and
mixed conifer forest with fishing, hiking, mountain biking, picnicking,
horseback riding and hunting available in the general area. If you
bring your own stock, saddle or pack animals may be kept in the
meadow across the road from the Jack Creek Crew Quarters where ample
feed and water are available. A rate of $1.00 per night per head
of livestock will be charged. The Continental Divide National Scenic
Trail is located west not far from the quarters. A variety of wildlife
is located in the general vicinity including elk, deer, bear and
moose.
Items that should be brought along include bedding/sleeping bag,
food, dish soap and sponge, trash bags, paper towels, warm clothing,
first aid kit, flashlight, towels and washcloths, personal hygiene
items and other personal items. Basic cooking and eating utensils,
plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups, and basic pots and pans are
furnished. If you use these, they need to be cleaned and put up
after use. Garbage service is provided.
Narrative
Jack Creek Work Center is an enlargement of the original Jack
Creek Ranger Station. The Jack Creek Ranger Station was the northern
ranger cabin of the Encampment Ranger District. This area was first
designated the Sierra Madre Forest Reserve in 1906 and actually
included area in Colorado. In 1908 it became the Hayden National
Forest and in 1929 this area was renamed the Medicine Bow National
Forest, Hayden Division. District records indicate that a guard
cabin was built in this area in 1908; the present guard cabin was
constructed and finished in 1934 by Ranger Evie Williams. Visitors
will see the picturesque original Ranger Station Cabin in the meadow
just below the Jack Creek Crew Quarter building. In the late 1970’s
the Forest Service expanded the Jack Creek facility to provide a
remote work center for permanent and seasonal employees. The District
began construction on the facility in 1982 developing the road and
in 1984, finishing construction on the crew quarters, generator
shed, flammable storage shed and three bay shop.
This facility has been used sparingly by the District, the longest
it was used was by a Youth Conservation Corps to build the Continental
Divide Scenic Trail from the National Forest System Road 830 south
to the two-track four-wheel drive road on the Continental Divide
west of Jack Creek Mine.
The crew quarter is available for rent to the public under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. The building is available to the
public all summer and fall, with few administrative stays scheduled
in between the public bookings.
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