Reviews for this site — GMS, Loop: AREA GOVT MINERAL SPRINGS GUARD STA

4.2
(50 reviews)

Showing 10 of 50 reviews

Erica C Verified
Stayed date
Mar 2024

This is my second time staying here and it’s a nice little cabin in the woods. I went alone this time so only really stayed in the downstairs of the house but there are 2 rooms with 4 beds upstairs. One of the rooms is very large with twin beds and a closet and the other with a bunk bed. Downstairs there are two futons but one seemed slightly broken. As other reviews have said, bring extra lights as it’s pretty dark in the kitchen and the dinning room with only one gas lamp in each. In the dinning room there is a big table, lots of books, some puzzles, and games in a closet space and this room has a radiator. The fridge and stove worked well and there are plenty of kitchen supplies for cooking. My main complaint is that there is not a directional sign to point you in the direction of the cabin and the one way sign makes it seem like it would be to the right when it’s actually to the left. Since there is no cell service there, this is an easy mistake and had me going the wrong way in deep snow with a backpacking bag on. I did have cell service about 10 minutes from the snow park and it’s about 20 minutes to a dollar general if you forgot something. Overall, it’s definitely a rustic cabin but felt mostly clean and was a nice retreat for the weekend. Final thoughts, I do think the proposed fee going up to $100 per night when it was $65 last year is a bit steep for a place with no running water and a snow walk to the bathroom. It makes it a little unaffordable for smaller groups.

Katherine M Verified
Stayed date
Feb 2024

I love this cabin! It’s a peaceful place. To make your trip more enjoyable, please note: bring extra battery operated lanterns (the downstairs rooms are dark), the fireplace wire is loose and sometimes takes work to get the fire going, and a futon is broken (totally sleepable though). Enjoy your stay!

Zach H Verified
Stayed date
Feb 2024

Still plenty of snow but the hike in wasn’t bad. Sleds are handy if you have a lot of gear. Shoveled some of the pathways around the doors. Had some issues getting the gas fireplace insert to start but once on it worked fine. The wall heater really can pump out the heat. Loved reading the history of the cabin and the journal entries. Had fun discovering all the summer cabins around there. That was a surprise.

Jacque W Verified
Stayed date
Nov 2023

We love this jewel of a cabin. It is a cozy wonderful cabin set in a grove of very large trees. The forest service just installed a new refrigerator and oven, thank you! The cabin is well stocked with kitchen items, so no need to bring pots, pans, dishes, etc. Bring along paper products and lots of water. The location allows for nearby hikes, great place for kids too. We are grateful to the Forest Service for keeping this cabin maintained in times when the budget is tight and resources are scarce!

Drew L Verified
Stayed date
Oct 2023

Beautiful on the outside, not so much on the inside. This will probably be our last stay here. I'm not sure why there's an increase in fees as no improvements have been made over the last few years. I was up early every morning to clean the mouse droppings out of the kitchen. (Before the rest of my party realized) The fridge is still broken. The lower bunkbed upstairs was broken. The futons in the living room are in desperate need of replacing. The rugs are full of fur. I love dogs, but not everyone adheres to the pet policy. Silver-lining...the outhouse was clean. Smelly but, hey it's a pit toilet. This is a beautiful area and this place has so much potential, but with the over-use and lack of maintenance I can no longer recommend it. As an alternate, you can camp nearby (In the designated area, or dispersed sites) Dry creek trail is a favorite along with the waterfall at the end. Lots of good mushroom picking during different times of year. Old Man Pass is a great spot for some X/C skiing in the winter! Backwoods has also just opened their cabins in Carson if you'd like a more Airbnb style experience.

Carol I Verified
Stayed date
Aug 2023

A lovely setting in the forest and nicely appointed. However, there were mouse droppings everywhere- on the table, counter, sink and stove. Unlocking the doors was tricky.

Melissa S Verified
Stayed date
Aug 2023

As of 8/13/23,the fridge is still broken. Also, Carter Family, your Amazon tablet is still there. This place is a gem and I wish it was better taken care of. It needs some maintenance and a deep clean. The mice are still there but not as bad as previous trips. The bathroom is still disgusting. Regardless, we try to make it out every summer. We spent the weekend at the nearby creek and went foraging for wild berries.

Dale P Verified
Stayed date
Jun 2023

Cabin was great as usual, only bummer was the fridge is currently broken. Not a huge deal but would have been nice to know ahead of time.

george j Verified
Stayed date
May 2023

Great time of year to be here. Many wild flowers around the area,and lucky to have good weather while there. Happy to see the gas fireplace insert,much better than the old gas heater,(that didn't work on our last visit). Was dissapointed not to find a recent journal,we enjoyed them in the past.

Hobbin J Verified
Stayed date
Feb 2023

Inventory - as of February 17th some pictures show a propane heater in the living room, this is no longer there. The fireplace is propane, not wood burning. The propane heater in the dining room doesn't work. One of the futon frames was busted beyond use, we reported it. 14 glasses and mugs 1 cup size Melita coffee maker and pot, no filters 1 package napkins 1 roll paper towels 4 glass baking pans 2 metal baking pans 1 cookie sheet 1 drawer full of misc cooking utensils, slotted spoons, cheese grater, spatula, scraper, wisk, potato peeler, Table cloth 4 large plates 4 small plates 2 saucers 10 random size bowls for eating 8 eating spoons 5 eating forks 5 butter knives Scissors Can opener Bottle opener/corkscrew 6 cutting boards 5 cooking knives - my husband sharpened them while we were here 1 package aluminum foil Measuring cups Measuring spoons Old style stove top coffee maker Old fashioned popcorn popper Many cooking pots of various sizes 1 five gallon cook pot Many fry pans of various sizes 1 cast iron fry pan 1 cast iron griddle 1 large colander 1 small colander 2 sponges lots of liquid dish and hand soap 2 pot scrubbers NO GARBAGE BAGS - we left our roll pot holders 6 small end tables 2 futon mattresses and frame 1 small dish tub many empty jugs for water 2 brooms 2 dustpans 1 mop 1 mop bucket several couch pillows clothesline and clothespins hung up 2x6x18 mouse proof container 10 chairs puzzles and games books binder with history and appliance instruction manuals many rolls of toilet paper container of de-icer bic lighter and matches braided rug on the floor hooks on the wall beside the front door three ring binder with history of the cabin and the appliance instruction manuels