Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest
1839 South Newcomb Street
Porterville, CA 93257

559-784-1500

Experience "cabin camping" just a stone's throw from the magnificent Kings River and only a 2 hour drive from Fresno. This completely renovated 1950's Lincoln Log cabin is situated at 1100 foot elevation and is available for rental for up to 14 days, year around. Each season brings a different kind of beauty to this area. In the fall and winter the cabin is above the central valley fog, in the spring it is ablaze with wildflowers and wildlife and in the summer it is hot and dry, with the river to cool you off!

Cabin History: This cabin was built in 1957 for a cost of $4,000. Until the early 1980's, the cabin was used as a residence and office by various Forest Service rangers and their families. The cabin has been restored to the current condition through the efforts of CDC of Miramonte and dedicated volunteers and employees. Your use of the cabin is also helping, as the fee you pay to rent this cabin will be used for additional improvements and maintenance.

Recreation Use:  Overnight use of the cabin is available for individuals, families and groups up to 12 people. The two-bedroom, one bath cabin has beds for 6 people (2 twins, a queen and a double hide-a-bed) and room in the yard to pitch tents. The cabin is equipped with a generator to provide electricity, propane stove and refrigerator, and a heater and swamp cooler. It is furnished with a kitchen table and benches, couch and reclining chair, 5 lawn chairs, an outdoor barbecue and picnic table, and all the usual kitchen dishes, pots and pans. There is a tub/shower combination and toilet in the bathroom. Toilet paper, bath soap, and garbage bags are provided. This cabin has been modified with many accessible features but some features may not be fully accessible. Call for more details. The closest pay phone is located at Balch Camp (near the swimming pool) about 3 miles from the cabin; cell phone coverage is approximately 5 miles back down toward the lake at an obvious ridge top. NO SMOKING OR PETS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE THE CABIN.

Enjoying Your Stay:  You will need to bring either sleeping bags or bed linen and blankets as well as bath linen. Bed pillows are supplied. You will need to bring all food items (including salt and pepper), and may want to include baggies and tinfoil. Other items you may wish to bring might include books, flashlight, camera, insect repellant, sunscreen and fishing poles and license. The section of the Kings River from Garnet Dike to Pine Flat Lake is open to fishing year round with a 2 fish limit.

Your Responsibilities:  All cleaning supplies, including a vacuum, are provided. You are expected to leave the cabin "clean as a whistle" when you leave. This means all floors must be vacuumed and mopped, furniture dusted, windows locked, blinds closed, and all food items removed. There is no one to come in after you leave to clean. It is your responsibility! There is no garbage service and you must haul your garbage home. The generator must be turned off and the thermostat set at lowest temperature.

Reservations:  Reservations for the cabin should be made through the National Recreation Reservation Service (NRRS) 1-877-444-6777 or www.reserveUSA.com.

Getting There:  Camp 4 ½ Station is only about 60 miles, and is approximately 2 hours east of Fresno. From the Belmont/Academy intersection set your trip odometer to zero, it will take approximately 1.5 hours from this point. Proceed east on Belmont which turns into Trimmer Springs Road. Stay on Trimmer Springs Road, and match your odometer with the following checkpoints: At approximately 13.0 miles you will pass through the tiny community of Piedra, your last opportunity to purchase supplies and gas. This store is only open during the day. The community of Trimmer (last pay phone, part-time store) will be at mile 25.6. Big Creek bridge is mile 33.3. You will be getting close when you pass a power station on your right (brightly lit at night). At mile 42.0, you will pass Kirch Flat Campground, immediately past Kirch Flat you will cross the Kings River bridge and are now on the south side of the Kings River. You will be on paved Forest Service Road 12S01. Approximately one mile further, the pavement will turn to dirt. At this point there is another bridge (Bailey's Bridge) but do not cross it, stay on the south side of the river. The last 7/10ths of a mile to the cabin is a dirt road, passable by a sedan.

Things To Do:  With the Kings River at your doorstep you can fish, swim, kayak or white water raft. The river is swift and cold and can be dangerous at peak flows in April through June but becomes very tranquil in late summer and fall. There are three whitewater rafting companies that provide guided trips on this section of the Kings River from mid April through early July. There are trails on both the north and south side of the river for hiking and horseback riding and roads for OHV's. The area is great for wildlife viewing, bird watching, artistic pursuits such as painting and photography, or just quiet relaxation.