Musick Guard Station

So the cabin is very cool and the views are amazing, BUT, the directions we received on the reservation were unclear (we never, ever saw a sign for one of the markers, "Noonday Road"). By the time we realized we were lost, we had no cell reception. We ended up driving back to Cottage Grove and pulling up a Google Map which put us on an extremely dangerous, unmaintained road (it was like a riverbed with large rocks, giant holes, and the edges starting to erode into a precipitous drop). You won't be able to turn around once you get on this road. There is another, safer road that we took on the way down, so call the ranger station beforehand and study a map carefully before you go.

The guard station itself is in desperate need of repair. The stove is broken and campfires usually aren't allowed, so make sure to bring a camping stove (and don't use it inside). Almost all the windows are broken too, and the beds were so rickety, we didn't feel safe sleeping on them. Also, the turnoff from the main road to the guard station has a locked barrier (the lock has a number code, but we weren't given it), so be ready to carry your gear 100 yards up to the cabin. This cabin is basically on top of a mountain, so there is a steep drop on one side. Be very careful if you bring kids or pets.

Supposedly, the abandoned Bohemia mines are nearby, but there are no signs anywhere, so, again, make sure you research how to get to them beforehand (I'm sure I sound like an idiot in this review, but at least I can be a helpful idiot).

All in all, the Musick Guard Station is an amazing piece of history (the CCC was so cool!) and a great way to experience Umpqua National Forest, but right now, it just doesn't have the upkeep it needs to be safe and fun.

Great location. Great sunsets. Enjoyed the short hike out to the old mine and drove up to the nearby fire lookout tower. Stunning views all around.

The beds are very rickety and we didn't trust them, so we just slept on our mats on the floor. They might support a kid, but we weren't sure about 2 adults on the double beds. We didn't have any rodent problems as others mentioned.

As of early July, there were still a few broken windows. Some with cardboard and some missing. But the signs and the ranger I spoke to made it sound like the windows are in the process of being replaced.

We were pleasantly surprised to find a stock of toilet paper and puzzles, though we had brought our own.

The cabin needs a good cleaning and some maintenance (there were a few broken windows, one taped up with cardboard). The pictures provided here must be pretty old. We brought sleeping pads for the plywood beds and a few extra camp chairs for inside. The stove kept the cabin very warm, but you need to bring/find your own wood. We did have some motorcyclists come through but they turned around when they saw the cabin was occupied. Had a number of people park at the gate and walk up to check out the cabin. Would be nice if there was a no parking sign at the gate.

Awful. Most windows broken out. Rodent infested. Plywood bed. Motorcyclists used area around cabin as a course. Left a day early. Best part was leaving.

Very nice place - please help keep it that way. Leave it a bit better than you found it...