Watch out for rat poison! Although we ultimately enjoyed our stay it got off to an unsettling start when we found unmarked sticks of rat poison loose in the dresser of the kids’ room and after a thorough search 11 other places easily accessible to children (but not easily noticeable to adults). The sticks (Fastrac Blox - we found the bucket under the sink) look like purple sidewalk chalk. I don’t know if they were left by the USFS or by another guest but it seems like something families who stay in the cabin would like to know. The handbook mentions that there may be rat poison on-site but it lists a different product. The way this particular poison is being used appears contrary to the indications on the product’s safety data sheet which says, among other regulations & warnings, that it must be in a locked, labeled, child-proof container marked POISON and accessible only to the target animal and notes that it may be fatal if ingested or absorbed through the skin. On the plus side, we didn’t hear any rodents so it seems to be working?

It's cute, but really run down. Mice poop everywhere, so clearly an issue.

Very quiet and peaceful. The hike next to cabin, the Ranger's hole, is worth it.

The listed amenities are not available. The broken refrigerator has been taken out after a long stay on the back porch. Light fixtures are broken. You will need to bring your own lanterns. The rangers claim someone comes into the cabin to clean on Thursday’s, but the extensive amount of mice droppings in the silverware drawers and window seals show that they are clearly not doing their job if they even show up at all. The cabin itself is a historic gem in a beautiful setting. It’s a shame the rangers in charge of it don’t treat it that way.

Instructions say certain items are available which is incorrect: Much of the indoor propane lighting does not work - be sure to bring your own headlamps. Water for outdoor pump does not work - be sure to bring adequate supplies of bottled water. Futon when used as a couch is broken, does not work - you can sleep on the futon but not sit on it. Despite these problems, for two people the cabin was OK. During nice weather and longer hours of daylight this would be a good, quiet and fun location.

You should keep extra gas lamp mantles in the cabin, or sell them at the Quilcene Ranger station, or tell people where they could buy them. You should keep extra gas lamp globes in the cabin. The propane refrigerator has been sitting on the back deck for over a year - if you're not going to fix it, find someplace else to store it or give it to someone who will fix and use it.