Gorgeous place to stay. The view out the big large picture windows is breathtaking. We set a scope up to look for wildlife up on the high bench to the southeast. The showers were on for part of our visit, before they were turned off for the winter - nice to have a hot shower after days spent hiking. The wood stove works great. Never started the fireplace. Gas stove has an automatic pilot; you just turn the knob and the burner fires up. Bring along some mouse traps. We caught several mice, but none the last two days of our 7 day stay, so must have gotten them all. What we enjoyed the most was kayaking on the lake, and were very glad we brought the inflatable kayaks along. Highly recommend the hike up Clear Creek Valley, although there were reports of grizzly on hunter elk kills while we were there, which made my partner nervous. The only downside is the fishing in the lake and the river was not good during our stay.

We visited this lodge the beginning of November. It was beautiful. Though it is paramount that one has wood. The lovely building is large and only has a wood stove for heat-there are two fireplaces, though truly gaining radiant warmth is not so beneficial from the fireplaces. I think the forest service needs to sincerely understand -especially in the winter-without warmth one could truly be harmed. Perhaps once the winter season opened the wood situation improved-as in is there enough? where is it (it was obvious without snow, but covered in snow?); we brought an ax, thank goodness there was a maul; hopefully the stove continues to work correctly and safely. If you have the option bring a chainsaw.Hopefully you can find some perfect standing dead trees nearby. I am thrilled this lodge is open for reservations though the price should come with enough wood. Enjoy!! Bring plenty of flashlights and blankets/sleeping bags. It is truly special and spectacular-but cold!

We visited this lodge the beginning of November. It was beautiful. Though it is paramount that one has wood. The lovely building is large and only has a wood stove for heat-there are two fireplaces, though truly gaining radiant warmth is not so beneficial from the fireplaces. I think the forest service needs to sincerely understand -especially in the winter-without warmth one could truly be harmed. Perhaps once the winter season opened the wood situation improved-as in is there enough? where is it (it was obvious without snow, but covered in snow?); we brought an ax, thank goodness there was a maul; hopefully the stove continues to work correctly and safely. If you have the option bring a chainsaw.Hopefully you can find some perfect standing dead trees nearby. I am thrilled this lodge is open for reservations though the price should come with enough wood. Enjoy!! Bring plenty of flashlights and blankets/sleeping bags. It is truly special and spectacular-but cold!

Wonderful spot!

Wonderful spot!

Had a great stay! Should have brought a lantern and slippers for inside.

Had a great stay! Should have brought a lantern and slippers for inside.

We were excited to stay at the lodge because we've camped in this area with our kids for years. We knew the lodge was there and we've even used the light that shone from it at night to guide us back to the north end as we've paddled our canoe after dark. However, we were disappointed in the lodge. It must have been a mighty fine place to stay in in it's day, but it is old and dirty and falling apart. It looked like there had been little thought into preparing this place for public reservations. Switch and plug plates had been removed and covered with blanks that were not all uniform, but looked like they were just some old leftovers that happened to be laying around. It was obvious that to patch over those holes in the walls was too much for those in charge. Crazy thing is, with all the former switch and plug plate holes that were covered, there were no covers on the former heating vents in front of the windows in the great room. Those were all bare and probably home to lots and lots of mice. Speaking of mice, on our 2nd day, after being gone all day hiking, we returned and sat on the futon, which was facing the window and that beautiful view of the lake and Square Top Mountain. In doing so, we could smell something just awful. It was something that was dead. I first thought of a mouse, but didn't know where it would be. Down in one of the uncovered vents? In the folds of the black futon, which was uncleaned, filthy from years of use? I didn't want to even think about it. We made dinner on the stove and afterwards, while picking up a frying pan to wash, a mouse jump out of it, scurried across the top and down into a burner hole. We turned on all 4 burners and watched, with a broom, for it to come out. Eventually, it made a short appearance on the bottom side of the stove, only to quickly go back under the stove. (If you want the full review, I've already sent it to you around Aug 18, 2019).

We were excited to stay at the lodge because we've camped in this area with our kids for years. We knew the lodge was there and we've even used the light that shone from it at night to guide us back to the north end as we've paddled our canoe after dark. However, we were disappointed in the lodge. It must have been a mighty fine place to stay in in it's day, but it is old and dirty and falling apart. It looked like there had been little thought into preparing this place for public reservations. Switch and plug plates had been removed and covered with blanks that were not all uniform, but looked like they were just some old leftovers that happened to be laying around. It was obvious that to patch over those holes in the walls was too much for those in charge. Crazy thing is, with all the former switch and plug plate holes that were covered, there were no covers on the former heating vents in front of the windows in the great room. Those were all bare and probably home to lots and lots of mice. Speaking of mice, on our 2nd day, after being gone all day hiking, we returned and sat on the futon, which was facing the window and that beautiful view of the lake and Square Top Mountain. In doing so, we could smell something just awful. It was something that was dead. I first thought of a mouse, but didn't know where it would be. Down in one of the uncovered vents? In the folds of the black futon, which was uncleaned, filthy from years of use? I didn't want to even think about it. We made dinner on the stove and afterwards, while picking up a frying pan to wash, a mouse jump out of it, scurried across the top and down into a burner hole. We turned on all 4 burners and watched, with a broom, for it to come out. Eventually, it made a short appearance on the bottom side of the stove, only to quickly go back under the stove. (If you want the full review, I've already sent it to you around Aug 18, 2019).

Unbelievable View and beautiful lodge. Thanks for making this available to the public, well worth the $$$