Recreation Rentals of the Pacific Northwest

US Forest Service

Map of Forests

Bureau of Land Management

Oregon and Washington

National Park Service

North Cascades

Clearwater Big House Cabin - Washington

Umatilla National Forest

History

An old trapper cabin was located at the current site and later converted to a ranger station. In 1928-29, Ranger Grover Blake built a three-room house out of scrap lumber donated by local stockmen and game department. In 1933, 200 Civilian Conservation Corps men staying at the District built a barn, warehouse, outhouse and garage.

Description

The two-story cabin lives up to its name, with 868 square feet of living space on the first floor, and another 336 square feet upstairs, and comprises of three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen and a bathroom with a flush toilet and shower. Water and indoor plumbing are available from the end of June to the end of August or until the well runs dry. Please call the Pomeroy Ranger District to find out road conditions and water updates before making your reservations.

An outhouse is available for use early September to early June. As no potable water is available during the winter months, visitors must bring plenty of water for drinking, cooking and washing.

The cabin is fully furnished with queen and full beds, twin beds, and a table and chairs, and features propane heat and lighting throughout. The kitchen is equipped with a propane cook stove and refrigerator. Renters will need to bring their own dishes, cooking/eating utensils and own pots/pans.

Water is currently unavailable at this site. An outhouse is provided nearby. Renters should bring a supply of water for their stay.

Area Attractions & Activities

During summer months, take the short scenic drive on Forest Service Road 40 to Sunset Point overlooking the Tucannon drainage. Horseback riding and hiking trails into the Tucannon drainage can be accessed within a few miles from the cabin. In season, pick wild mushrooms, such as morels, wax caps, red/yellow corals, bolete, puff ball, shaggy mane, chantrelle hedge hog, bears head, and berries, such as huckleberries, bearberry honeysuckle, bearberries, kinnikinnik, and wild strawberries. Watch for wildlife. During the winter season, enjoy snowmobiling on groomed snowmobile trails and cross-country skiing.

Amenities

• Flush Toilet (summer only) - WATER IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
• Shower (summer only or until spring runs dry) - WATER IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
• Outhouse
• Propane Heat
• Cook Stove
• Refrigerator
• Lights

There is an additional space for tent camping.

Pets

Pets are welcome; visitors are required to clean up after them.

Smoking

No smoking.

Directions

This site is located approximately 22 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington on the Umatilla National Forest. From Pomeroy, travel 15th street south (which becomes Peola Road at the city limits) for approximately 15 miles to the forest boundary. The paved road ends here. Continue on Forest Service Road (FSR) 40 for 7 miles to Clearwater Junction (where the fire lookout is located). Turn left onto FSR 42 for 0.25 mile, and then turn right into the Clearwater Guard Station area. The rental cabin is the two-story building. Automobile access to the site runs from June 1 to November 1, depending on weather conditions.

The same route is accessible during winter months by a groomed snowmobile trail (except the 0.25 mile of FSR 42 and access road into the Guard Station area are not groomed). Parking will be at Rose Spring Sno-Park, and from there, visitors ski, snowshoe or snow mobile approximately 5.5 miles to the cabin. A Washington State Sno-Park permit is required to park at the Sno-Park.