Eldorado National Forest

Recreational Activities: Rental Cabins

Van Vleck Bunkhouse Information

Reservations

The Bunkhouse is rented through the National Recreation Reservation Service at 1-877-444-6777 or their web site at www.recreation.gov.

Rental permit: Renters must contact Pacific Ranger District at 530-647-5415 to arrange for permit, access, check-in, and find out current conditions. You will be given the key or combination to the facility at that time. Check-out time is 1:00 p.m.and Check-in is 2:00 p.m.

Pacific Ranger District
7887 Highway 50
Pollock Pines, CA 95726.
530-647-5415
Hours: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Days: 7 days a week during summer. Call ahead for winter schedule.

The Pacific Ranger Station is 4 miles east of Pollock Pines on Highway 50. Turn left (north) at the Mill Run Road sign.

Travel Directions

The Bunkhouse is located northeast of Placerville and is at 6,549 feet above sea level. You can reach this area by traveling 21 miles east on Highway 50 to Ice House Road (8.5 miles east of Pollock Pines), then north on Ice House Road 23 miles to the Robbs Saddle area.

Summer Access: Take a right turn and travel 5 miles east on the Tells Creek/Cheese Camp Road (Forest Road 36). Turn left on the gated dirt/gravel road to the Bunkhouse, which is 0.5 mile in on the left side. The gate remains locked year-round, only authorized vehicles can drive to the Bunkhouse. There is a combination lock on the gate and on the pad to the right of the door to the facility. This route is not recommended for winter access as the road and turnoffs are not marked with diamonds. Map and compass skills would be needed. A GPS would be helpful for locating the Bunkhouse from this route.

Winter Access: The recommended route is on the marked ski trail from the Loon Lake Campground Parking area. The trail is 5.5 miles long and is marked with blue, reflective diamonds.

Directions to the parking area: From the Highway 50 turnoff, go 28 miles north on Ice House Road and take the right fork. Go 5 miles to the plowed parking area at the entrance to the campground road.

• The access route is an intermediate to advanced backcountry ski. Each member of the party needs to be equipped for an emergency overnight stay should they be unable to make it to the Bunkhouse. Climbing skins for each skier is required. This is not a groomed route.

Winter Safety: Winter access is not guaranteed as weather is unpredictable. Always plan on using winter recreation equipment; ie, snowshoes or skis during the winter months. Depending on your mode of travel, weather conditions, unconsolidated snow depths, and your physical condition and ability it can take between 3-8 hours to reach the Bunkhouse depending on the level of skill and fitness of your group. The trail is marked with blue diamonds; however do not rely on the markings alone. Use of map and compass skills may be necessary to locate the Bunkhouse under certain conditions.

Be prepared in case of emergencies and notify family or friends of your trip and when you expect to return.

Permit and Key/Combination: Renters must contact Pacific Ranger District at 530-647-5415 to arrange for permit, access, check-in, and find out current conditions.

USDA Forest Service - Eldorado National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 02 March 2009 at 15:01:42 EST