Summit Guard Station
In 1836, missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman of upper New York State traveled 3,000 miles to establish a Protestant mission among the Cayuse Indians near present day Walla Walla, WA. But when they came up against the Blue Mountains, they hit the most rugged and treacherous part of their journey. Their guide, John McLeod, a fur trader from the Hudson’s Bay Company, chose the most direct route, but it was too steep and rugged for wagons, and only suitable for horse and foot travel. Though tough, their journey into the Oregon Country was the first completed by an Anglo family, proving that women and families could make it across, and pioneered the way for others to follow.
Over the years, the original trail used by the Whitmans was lost as a new wagon route was found and frequented. In the early 1960s, U.S. Forest Service Ranger Gerald Tucker used Narcissa’s travel journal to locate the Whitman’s crossing of the Blue Mountains. Today, the Whitman Route Overlook, a short drive from the Summit Guard Station, offers a spectacular view of Meacham Canyon and the Hell Hole Roadless Area, as well as a look back into the history of the area.
Summit Guard Station is located on high ridge nested in an open stand of large Ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir. The view to the south from this ridge-top setting is exceptional.
The rustic bunkhouse, with one multi-use room for cooking, sleeping and relaxing, is furnished with a table and four chairs and four bed frames with mattresses. It is equipped with propane lights, a propane heater and range. There is no water on site, so visitors must bring plenty for drinking, cooking and washing. An outhouse is located nearby.
- Availability: Summit Guard Station is available for rent May 15 through November 20.
- Price and Capacity: $45 per night per group, with a maximum of four occupants. Fees are used directly for the maintenance and preservation of the guard station.
- Reservations: The maximum-length stay is fourteen consecutive nights. Phone 1-877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov
History
This site was originally established some time before 1908 as the Summit Ranger Station as part of the former Wenaha National Forest. The original cabin was replaced by a 2-story residence, plus a garage, a gas house, and a barn that were all constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. The site is a good example of a CCC era Forest Service field station. Summit Cabin was constructed in 1938 as a guard station; the cabin was also used as a cookhouse for fire crew tent camps in the 1970s.
At a Glance
Operational Hours: | Open from May 15 to November 14. |
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Open Season: | May 15 - November 14 |
Usage: | Light |
Closest Towns: | Pendleton, OR |
Restroom: | Vault Toilet |
Information Center: | Walla Walla Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:From Weston, Oregon: Travel 28 miles east of Weston on Highway 204. Turn right (south) onto Forest Service Road 31. Go 9.4 miles to Ruckel Junction. Stay on Forest Service Road 31 and go 17 miles until you reach the junction with Forest Service Road 3113. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 3113 and travel about 0.8 miles to the access road to Summit Guard Station. Turn left onto the access road and follow the road to the right.
From Pendleton, Oregon: Travel Interstate 84 east for 34 miles to Exit 243 (Mt. Emily Exit). Take the exit and at the stop sign turn left. Cross the freeway on the overpass and proceed past the ramps to the end of the pavement. Forest Service Road 31 starts here. Travel Forest Service Road 31 for about 12.2 miles to the junction with Forest Service Road 3113. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 3113 and travel about 0.8 miles to the access road to the Summit Guard Station. Turn left onto the access road and follow the road to the right.
Automobile access to the site tends to run from June 1 to November 1, and parking is available at the guard station. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile. Skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobilers can access the cabin from the Meacham Divide/Mt. Emily Sno-Park, which is located on Forest Service Road 31 about 1.7 miles from Interstate 84. The route follows the roads listed above. From the sno-park the travel distance to the cabin is approximately 11.3 miles, including a 1 mile climb.
General Notes:
- No smoking
- No pack and saddle stock allowed
- Pets are welcome but must be leashed and outside
- There is additional space in the yard for tent camping
Amenities
- Vault Toilet
- No Water
- Propane Heater
- Propane Lights
- Range
Activities
Cabin Rentals
Be sure to bring binoculars and a camera for the beautiful views. Prominent points in the area include Wilbur Mountain, Spring Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Green Mountain. Historical attractions include the Whitman Route Overlook. In the winter, enjoy cross-country skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling. Wildlife viewing includes mule and white tailed deer, elk, and an occasional bear. Bird watchers should keep binoculars handy as many varieties of birds, including fly catchers, jays, hummingbirds, swallows, chickadees, creepers, bluebirds, wrens, kinglets, sparrows, warblers and finches, are common in the area. Wild flowers can be seen in the area, including lupines, larkspur, monkey flower, Indian paintbrush, and orchids, depending on the time of year.