Cold Springs Cabin - Ochoco Nf (OR)

Had a great time and this place felt so fancy because it had real toilets that flush and running water. FYI because it was hard to me to find this info before I went, Cold Springs Cabin had 3 bedrooms that each have 2 (comfy) twin beds in them and there was also a futon in the living room. In the smallest bedroom one of the beds was in the way of the door so it couldn't swing closed, but you might just be able to move the bed to make it work... we didn't need the third bedroom so we just left it alone.

FS staff were very helpful! Water pump was out when we arrived, and was fixed it same day as we called. Cell phone service, as noted, can be had just north of the Black Mountain lookout, short hike to it from the road; also just below Buck Point, on FS 12 road, 17 mi east of the cabin. Great supply of maps and books!

Great location and quiet, almost too quiet. Enjoy the coyotes call in the morning about thirty minutes after sunup.

Great location and quiet, almost too quiet. Enjoy the coyotes call in the morning about thirty minutes after sunup.

We had an extended stay (5 nights), hosting both adults daughters, one of whom had only heard stories. We focused on hiking, photography (mostly wildflowers) and relaxing. We found the water pump was out when we arrived (Sunday afternoon). First thing Monday morning I drove to a location with cell coverage and called the Facilities Maintenance phone number on the cabin bulletin board. I was about 45 minutes away from the cabin and the USFS maintenance employees beat me back. We had water (gravity flow) for Monday and they had a new pump installed by 10 am Tuesday morning. It was such great responsiveness at a time of great upheaval for the agency. We were really grateful.

We hiked the Barnhouse Trail, the Lookout Mountain Trail (from the Independence Mine trailhead) and an off-trail route down into the North Fork Crooked River Canyon. The flowers were great, as was the weather. We also saw antelope and elk near the cabin, and the Big Summit Prairie elk herd numbered more than 200 head as we headed out on Friday morning.

Mosquitoes are still vigorous, so bring repellant for sitting outside at night. They weren't bad during the day, away from the cabin.

We had an extended stay (5 nights), hosting both adults daughters, one of whom had only heard stories. We focused on hiking, photography (mostly wildflowers) and relaxing. We found the water pump was out when we arrived (Sunday afternoon). First thing Monday morning I drove to a location with cell coverage and called the Facilities Maintenance phone number on the cabin bulletin board. I was about 45 minutes away from the cabin and the USFS maintenance employees beat me back. We had water (gravity flow) for Monday and they had a new pump installed by 10 am Tuesday morning. It was such great responsiveness at a time of great upheaval for the agency. We were really grateful.

We hiked the Barnhouse Trail, the Lookout Mountain Trail (from the Independence Mine trailhead) and an off-trail route down into the North Fork Crooked River Canyon. The flowers were great, as was the weather. We also saw antelope and elk near the cabin, and the Big Summit Prairie elk herd numbered more than 200 head as we headed out on Friday morning.

Mosquitoes are still vigorous, so bring repellant for sitting outside at night. They weren't bad during the day, away from the cabin.

We've stayed at the Cold Springs Guard Station a number of times over the past 15 years. This trip, the front door window was broken about one month earlier by a guest and was covered with cardboard and duct tape. Since our last visit (September, 2022) the Forest Service replaced the cedar shake roof (missing shakes) with a new, clay-based composite 'shake' roof. Otherwise, the Guard Station seems locked in time. The propane appliances (refrigerator / freezer, stove, water heater), three bedrooms, solar-powered LED room lights and the 1.5 baths make for a great venue for multiple party members / family members. We enjoy the large deck and spend evenings at sunset on the helipad just south of the Guard Station birding or watching for wildlife. We regularly hike to the top of Lookout Mountain, where the flower displays never disappoint. There are other trails in the region and Walton Lake is about 10 mi away. If you value some creature comforts while otherwise off the grid, the Cold Springs Guard Station won't disappoint.

We've stayed at the Cold Springs Guard Station a number of times over the past 15 years. This trip, the front door window was broken about one month earlier by a guest and was covered with cardboard and duct tape. Since our last visit (September, 2022) the Forest Service replaced the cedar shake roof (missing shakes) with a new, clay-based composite 'shake' roof. Otherwise, the Guard Station seems locked in time. The propane appliances (refrigerator / freezer, stove, water heater), three bedrooms, solar-powered LED room lights and the 1.5 baths make for a great venue for multiple party members / family members. We enjoy the large deck and spend evenings at sunset on the helipad just south of the Guard Station birding or watching for wildlife. We regularly hike to the top of Lookout Mountain, where the flower displays never disappoint. There are other trails in the region and Walton Lake is about 10 mi away. If you value some creature comforts while otherwise off the grid, the Cold Springs Guard Station won't disappoint.

For 2023 visitors should bring twin mattress covers, mattress pads, and a fitted twin sheet along with your sleeping bag and pillows. Bring tall kitchen garbage bags and a couple of leaf bags to haul your trash home.

Be sure to drive the loop around the prairie to enjoy the varied scenery and vegetation zones. Watch for wild horses on the west side. Good picnic destinations include Allen Creek Horse Camp - go thru the camp and left down to the creek, and Deep Creek Campground. The drive to the latter is spectacular.

Cell service is spotty at best. To reach our most reliable hit, from the cabin return south to the stop sign/bridge on the paved 42 road. Turn right across the bridge and in a few hundred yards take the first left. Continue straight, past the Travel Management billboard, for 2-3 mi. When you top out at a right hand curve and can see into the next drainage to the south, you should be able to pick up one, maybe two, Verizon bars.